Page 40 of Brutal Savage

I shake my head, trying to remember to inhale. My heart rattles within my ribs, like it’s in a cage, needing to break free.

“Good. Because I’m expecting an answer soon. I’ve never been good with patience.”

He moves back a breath, and when his eyes level to mine, I swear the earth shakes under my feet.

Tynan Quinn, he’s not good for me. He makes me weak and vulnerable and scared. I hate feeling scared.

“The dog, Ms. Hill. I won’t ask again.”

I clear my throat and move back, holding to my convictions, refusing to give him the dog. That would be irresponsible.

“Unless you can prove that the dog is yours, I can’t just give her to you. How do I know you won’t kill her?”

“I don’t kill dogs.”

I pop a brow and whisper, “Just people, then?”

His inhale deepens, and his hand gently cups my jaw, his eyes wildly searching mine.

“You’re lucky I’m not in the mood to kill you.” His lips fall almost a breath away, stilling my heartbeats.

“What are you in the mood for, then?”My voice is almost lost to the magnetism between us.

He leans his mouth nearer until it feathers against my lips. “To strip you bare until you can’t hide anymore.”

My eyes pop and my pulse quickens, until all I hear is his words on repeat. What did they mean? Does he know what I’m running from?

No. No. He can’t.

I move back, the dog letting out a bark as I raise my chin. “I’ll be going now. You know where I live when you have that proof.”

He shakes his head, his scowl making me shiver, and I know he won’t just let me go.

“Who is that?” Grandma’s hushed words have me glancing at her, remembering she’s here and probably terrified. Though she really doesn’t look to be.

Before I can answer, he does. “My name is Tynan Quinn. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nora.”

He takes her hand and kisses the top of it. She instantly melts, forgetting the aura of danger he had just exuded.

Figures. Grandma already likes him.

“You too, young man.” She looks over at me. “Are you single? My Elara is strong-willed and feisty, but she’d make a fine wife. For the right man, of course.”

“Grandma!” My eyes grow and my cheeks heat up, and when he smirks, I want to die of mortification.

“I am single.” His smoldering gaze locks with mine and my gut clenches. “Very much so. How about you, Elara? Have you ever had a husband? A fiancé?”

My eyes widen. Every instinct in me is begging to run.

“There was someone.” Gran grabs my hand. “But he was an asshole.”

Darkness crosses his pupils. “How’s that?”

“He—”

“Shit! We’ve been looking all over for her, and you’ve got her and didn’t call me?” Someone comes marching up behind him—a man who resembles Tynan—and…

“Brody?” My head jerks with confusion.

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