Page 22 of Brutal Savage

He huffs with a short breath of laughter. “I think it’s funny you thought you had a bloody choice in the matter.”

His Irish accent is as thick as my father’s. He was in his twenties when he came to the States, so I’m not at all surprised he hasn’t lost it.

“You just want your million.” I fold my arms over my chest.

“Doesn’t hurt, does it?” He grins.

“The bet was I pay you a million if I fall in love, not get married.”

“I remember. And I have a feeling you’re gonna lose. Hard.”

“Is that right?” I let out a bitter chuckle.

“Bloody right. I saw the way you were following that teacher the other day when she was running. I was in town doing work for your da when I saw you lurking in your SUV like a stalker. She get a restraining order against you yet?”

Everyone is really starting to piss me off.

“I’m just looking out for Brody.”

“Is that what you were doing?” He snickers. “Didn’t know that’s what we call it these days.”

“I’m not marrying her. Plus, she’s too young. She’s only twenty-three.”

“I didn’t say you should.” He shrugs. “Didn’t say you shouldn’t either.”

He tries not to laugh. I swear he’s having fun with this.

“What happened? You married my kid sister, and you’re now an expert on marriage?”

“No. But I think you like her.” He grins.

“She’s the boy’s teacher, and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t like me.”

“Maybe you can get her to like you. Throw on the charm.” He laughs at my glare. “On the other hand…I can see where you’d have a problem.”

I let out a grumble.

“If not her, then who?”

It’s a fair question. “I’ll figure it out. Need someone decent and desperate. I’ll offer to pay her. That should be enticing enough.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t you want to find something real? Not a woman who just wants you for your money?”

“I don’t want anything real.”

He scoffs. “And they say I’m the stubborn arse.”

“I’m not you. I don’t want what you and my sister have.” I grip his shoulder and look him right in the eyes. “But I’m happy you have each other. I mean that.”

“Thanks, brother. One day, maybe you’ll realize having someone love you, no matter what you’ve done, is beautiful, you know.”

“Shut up, will ya? You’re starting to sound like a damn Hallmark card. It’s creeping the fuck out of me.”

He pours himself a glass of whiskey. “Maybe it’s your sister’s writing rubbing off on me.”

“Not sure if that’s a good thing…”

My sister’s hoping to become an author one day, writing romance books and stuff like that. Our father didn’t originally approve of her career path, but he does now. Glad my sister can do what she loves.

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