Page 163 of Brutal Savage

“Everything in due time, my friend. Once I arrange a sit-down, I will let you know.”

I nod.

“Do you need our help cleaning this up?” He peers down at Sloan in disgust once again.

“Nah, we have our own people for that.”

“Very good, then. Let’s go, boys.” His brothers start following him out, shoving the body away with their loafers so they can get past.

“And tell your lovely wife we said goodbye,” Konstantin adds. “I do hope you both can make it to my party.”

Shit. His birthday.

“We’ll all be there.”

“Wonderful.”

Then he’s out the door.

What a fucking day.

ELARA

My pulse batters in my temples as I scold myself for being so stupid. Why did I think it was a good idea to interrupt his meeting? A meeting I knew was with people like him.

Dangerous people. Men who could very well know Jerry.

I’ve gotten too comfortable and let my guard down. Now that could cost me everything.

That man who said he knew me didn’t look familiar at all, but Jerry had many contacts, and some could’ve even seen a photo of me. He could be just about anyone in Jerry’s circle.

Tynan is still in his meeting, and it’s been over an hour since I left. I really need to see him and find out if that guy said anything else about me.

I should’ve never played that stupid prank. It sounded a lot better in my head.

What if that guy was sent by Jerry to see if I was really here with Tynan? Now he’ll know!

“Ugh!” I yank my hair, pacing in the laundry room, not wanting Ruby or Brody to see me this way.

I jolt when my cell beeps with an incoming text. Staring down at the screen, I find that it’s from Tynan.

Tynan

Come up to our bedroom. We need to talk.

That doesn’t sound good.

I rush out of the laundry room and straight for the stairs.

He’s probably mad at me for being stupid too. Maybe I’ve finally overstepped my boundaries. Then I had to go and throw “love you” at him, trying to act like we’re truly married.

It was stupid. I shouldn’t have said that. He clearly told me what to expect from this marriage. And love isn’t an option for us.

Not that I love him or anything. Those were just words. They didn’t mean anything.

Didn’t they?

I shake off that thought as I enter our bedroom, finding him pacing with his back to me, the same clothes he had on at the meeting.