Page 195 of Brutal Savage

A guttural sob falls silently from my lips.

They took her finger!

I’m gonna be sick!

I rush for the small garbage pail in the corner and hurl into it, my pulse beating in my temples.

When I return, I don’t feel any better.

I choke on a silent cry, covering my mouth with my palm. I knew they would find me. I knew they would hurt my grandparents.

I start tearing open the envelope, blinking back tears as I read the note, recognizing Jerry’s handwriting immediately.

I have her. And you know I’ll kill her. I’ll take you instead. But come alone. If you tell him or tip anyone off, she dies. I’ve got eyes everywhere. 666 Main Street. Lake Tavern.

Covering the box back up, I stuff the note inside and rush toward the door, needing to get to that address before Jerry kills one of the last living relatives I have.

I can’t let him do this. I won’t.

I want to call Tynan, but I’m afraid that Jerry will find out and kill Gran. When I glance down at the bracelet he gave me, I’m immediately thankful for it. He’ll find me. It’ll be okay. Everything will be okay. Jerry doesn’t know it tracks my location.

I act casual as I get to the back of the house, smiling at the guards. I don’t yet know how I’ll make it past them. Other than Rogue, Tynan still has three other guards on me. I can’t have any of them following me.

“Ma’am.” One of them nods in greeting and opens the door, probably thinking I’m going to the garden or the pool to relax.

Every cell in my body wants to break out in a sprint toward my car, but I don’t. I take my time, acting like nothing is going on.

When I’m out of view, I start rushing toward the one side of the gate that normally has no one stationed there because it’s got a hidden lock. Tynan once showed it to me in case of emergencies and gave me the code. I enter it into the keypad, and the door instantly opens.

I notice some guards on the far right, but no one is paying attention to me. I quickly head for my car, parked a short distance away. If I can just get out of the main gate, I’ll be able to help Gran. But I don’t even know if those guys will let me go.

My pulse pummels in my temples as I approach my car. Just a little more, and I’m almost there.

“Please, Gran, just hold on.”

“Elara?”

Oh, no.

My eyes grow when I register Rogue’s voice behind me. I stay rooted while gravel crunches beneath his feet.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”

“Um…”

Think, damn it!

He comes around to face me. “What’s wrong? Are you crying?”

“Um…I, uh…I have to go see my grandma. She’s not feeling well, so she asked me to come.”

“Okay, I’ll follow you.”

If he follows me, so will the other three bodyguards.

“No, that…that’s okay. I mean, I’m not going far.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m instructed to go wherever you do.”

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