Page 16 of Brutal Savage

What could a woman like that be hiding?

When I asked if she was dangerous, I noticed the jolt in her body. The way her eyes expanded for a brief second.

Why would she consider herself a danger? What has she done? And to whom?

She arrives at her grandma’s house, helping her into the white sedan she drives. I like that she cares about her grandparents. It shows who she really is.

And everything I’ve learned so far points to her being a good teacher too. Don’t want to lose her to whatever brought her here in the first place.

I know enough about people to know when they’re running, and Elara Hill? She’s running from something…or someone.

I need to find her ex-fiancé and figure out if he needs to be eliminated. Maybe he’s hurt her and that’s why she ran.

The thought of her being smacked around has my hands balling, heart fucking racing like I’ve gone mad.

I hope it’s not true. He won’t survive the day if I find him and learn he did something to her.

From the corner of the road, where she can’t see me, I watch her as she smiles at her grandma.

And I wonder what it’d feel like to have her smile at me like that.

ELARA

We arrive at Grandpa’s home and check in at the front.

“Hi, Nora. Elara,” the nurse greets us as we walk into his room.

“Hey, Paige.” I hand her a box of candy I picked up at the store.

She treats my grandpa nicely, and I like doing little things for her to show I appreciate it.

“Oh, you’re so sweet.” She takes the box from me.

My attention jumps to my grandpa, who sits in a chair, staring out the window. Gran heads toward him, settling across and fighting her emotions as he stares at her blankly.

“I don’t want a bath today,” he tells her.

“Alright, Aaron. No bath, it is.”

That makes him smile. I miss his smiles.

My face falls, and when Paige notices, she gives me a sympathetic look.

“He’s actually doing better today. He knew who I was.”

I let out a sigh. “Thanks, Paige.”

Though we both know with Grandpa’s dementia, things can change from hour to hour.

It breaks my heart to see him this way. He was fine when we first moved here six months ago. But soon after, Gran and I realized something was wrong.

Then he got his diagnosis.

Gran was able to take care of him at first. Until it got harder and we had no choice except to put him in a home. I wish I didn’t have to, but I can’t afford a live-in aide. I can barely afford to pay for the home.

So I have to keep my job. I can’t let anyone find out I’m a fraud.

“I’ll be right outside if you need me.” Paige squeezes my hand before heading out, giving us privacy.

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