Page 32 of Brutal Savage

“I can’t wait to welcome you into the family.”

I hate reliving one of the worst days of my life.

Of course, marriage wasn’t the only thing they wanted. They took more from me in that year I lived with them than I could’ve even imagined.

Jerry never loved me. I don’t think he even liked me. I was just a toy to use for his own needs.

I want nothing to do with that world anymore. I want a normal life. A normal husband. A family. I want to be happy. And I can never be happy with men from the belly of the underworld.

Men just like Tynan…

Though marriage isn’t even in the cards for me. If Jerry or his people ever find me, I’m fucked. They’ll kill me for leaving, and they’ll kill my family too just because they can.

Staying single and on the run is what I have to do.

But accepting Tynan’s job offer doesn’t mean I’ll have to stay here in Massachusetts. If I have to go, then I will. Tynan won’t be able to stop me.

Leaving my grandparents worries me, though.

But Jerry would think they went with me. He knows how close I am to them. I’d never leave them behind.

I reach into the drawer of my nightstand and pick up the gun I left home with. Untraceable and mine.

Well, not mine. Jerry’s.

If it ever came down to it, I’d give up my life in exchange for my grandparents.

I’m not my father’s daughter. I protect those I love.

CHAPTER 9

TYNAN

“I have a surprise for you,” I tell Brody the following day after school, but he doesn’t even look up from his book.

I don’t even know if this is a good idea. Pretty sure it’s the worst one I’ve ever had.

Just thinking about the mess. The chaos. All the cleaning…

But if it helps him talk or finally be happy here, I’ll try anything.

“I thought we could go to the shelter and you can maybe choose a dog.”

That gets him looking up at me from below his long dark lashes, and I swear there’s a glimmer in his green eyes.

Wasn’t my idea, though. It was the therapist’s. He said Brody may benefit from a dog. So I thought I’d take him to the shelter and have him pick one. Maybe that’ll make him smile again.

“So, you wanna go?”

He nods.

“Go get changed.”

While he runs into his room, I stare at my phone, wondering if something is wrong with it.

Why the hell hasn’t Elara called or texted me about the job offer? Doubt my cell is broken. I press a few keys, checking for issues. None that I can see.

Just to be sure, I call my brother Fionn.

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