Page 201 of Brutal Savage

“Don’t bring Grandpa into this!”

She’s the one laughing now. “You think he wasn’t in the business with me? Honey, come on.”

“I don’t care. He’s not well anymore. You need to stay away from him!”

She rolls her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s my husband. I’ll see him when I want.”

“No you won’t, Gran. When Tynan finds out what you did, you’ll have to run, or he will kill you.”

“And you’re just going to let him do that?”

“You make it sound like I have a choice.” I look at her with revulsion. “You had Mom killed for betraying you, and she was family. You’re nothing to the Quinns. Once they find out what you did, they’ll want payback. And right now, I wouldn’t object.” Bile rises up my throat. “I will never forgive you.”

“See, this is why I didn’t want you to find out.” She narrows her gaze at Jerry, and he shrugs nonchalantly.

Of course he doesn’t care. He lives to tear people apart, physically and emotionally. But as much as it hurts, I’m glad I finally know the truth.

“What was your plan, Gran? Keep me here until Jerry’s guys are done screwing Tynan over? Then what? We run? Do you think Tynan would just let me go?”

“Once Jerry’s men tell him that they have the weapons, Rogue is gonna feel out the situation and figure out if Tynan suspects me. If not, we return like nothing happened. Jerry won’t talk, because if he does, he will die.” Her mouth curls as she gives him a quick glance. “I have it all figured out. This plan benefits both Isaac and us.”

“And what makes you think Jerry’s people could overpower Tynan and his family?”

Jerry marches forward, pointing his gun in my face again. “Are you trying to say we’re weaker?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“You little?—”

“Enough!” Gran shouts. “Lower that gun before I shove it up your ass.”

Her face turns icy. I’ve never seen her this way.

“Tynan is calling.” Rogue stares at the phone.

“Answer it.” Gran places a palm on his arm. “Just like we practiced.”

He nods. “One word from you…” he says to me. “And I kill you.”

Gran tsks. “She won’t say anything. She’s smarter than that.”

I ball my hands as he answers the call, but I have to keep the faith that Tynan is tracking me and maybe already here.

“Sir?” Rogue answers, pausing as he listens to whatever Tynan says. “Elara is fine. She went to visit her grandma, and I’m right outside.”

He stares at me without blinking, his mouth twisting.

Tynan won’t believe it. He’ll go searching for me and realize I’m not there.

“Fuck… Okay, yeah, I’ll bring her back when she’s done. Bye, sir.” He drops the call and looks over at Jerry. “Bad news. Your guys are dead.”

“What?” he snaps, barreling toward him.

“That’s what he said. He knows you tried to rob him, and he’s coming after you with the Russians.”

“The Russians!” Jerry starts scrambling, pulling at his hair. “My father is going to lose his mind!” He aims his gun at Gran. “You told me this would be easy! That all we had to do was take the truck and go. You never told me we were stealing from the Russians too!”

“Didn’t I?” She grimaces. “You know, I’m getting old. Sometimes I’m a little forgetful.”

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