Page 141 of Brutal Savage

He shoots off a precise location.

Cillian mutters a curse. “Alright. Fionn is here too, and he’s on it. I’m gonna send reinforcements.”

“They won’t get here in time.” Tynan swerves down another narrow gravel road.

“I’ll send them anyway. Call me as soon as you’re at the gate.”

Tynan drops the phone back into the cup holder.

The sedan still follows us, slower this time, like it’s getting stuck. But until we can get rid of him, we aren’t safe.

I shut my eyes tight and breathe heavily, talking myself out of the fear, wanting to believe that Tynan can protect us.

He clasps my thigh. “I won’t let anything happen to either one of you. I swear I’ll die before that happens.”

At the thought of him dying, something inside me snaps and pain shoots into my chest cavity. “I don’t want you to die.”

My eyes fill with unshed tears, and I slip my hand into his, not wanting to let go. Not wanting to lose him. Emotions hit the back of my throat, and I kiss his knuckles, holding them against my chest.

He sucks in a breath as he increases the speed, taking one sharp turn, then another, causing my shoulder to roughly hit the door.

As he scans the rearview, his forehead creases when he finds the car still there, yet a good distance away now.

“We’re gonna cut through another path, so hang on,” he tells us.

Brody only cries harder, and my heart breaks into pieces. Tynan’s expression turns darker, set with unmitigated fury.

Not that I can blame him. I want them all dead too for doing this to Brody.

“I’m gonna get us out of here soon, buddy. I promise.” He takes a sudden left turn onto a tight uneven path before there’s a clearing and we’re on a main road.

Relief washes over me when I glance back and don’t see the car anymore.

I reach for Brody, taking his little hand and squeezing it in mine.

“We’re almost home,” Tynan says, every line on his face tense.

His palm lands back on my thigh as he peers at me from the corner of his eyes.

“You okay?” he whispers.

I shake my head, wanting to throw my arms around him and hold on to him. Hold on to something that matters.

For the rest of the way, we don’t say a word. Before I know it, we’re pulling up to the security gate at his family’s estate and driving up to the house.

As we pull up, I find his father and brothers there.

Fionn is the first to approach. “You guys alright?”

Tynan nods, climbing out before he gets Brody and lifts him in his arms.

Brody sniffles and blinks back tears.

“Oh God, I was worried!” Ruby comes rushing out, her eyes watery.

She grabs my hand and squeezes.

“Wanna go in and see if Ruby has those cookies you like?” Tynan asks Brody.

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