Page 42 of Brutal Savage

“Your grandmother seems nice.” He holds the door open from me, waiting for me to enter first.

“She’s nice, alright. If she likes you.”

He chuckles. “Seems like that won’t be much of a problem for me.”

“Right. And about what she said?—”

“About you making a fine wife?” He scoffs. “I find that hard to believe.” His breath lands across the crook of my neck. “You’re quite the little serpent.”

My lips wind up. “You’d better remember that the next time you corner me, Mr. Quinn.”

“Cornering you is my new favorite thing, Ms. Hill.”

A shiver races up my spine.

Mine too…unfortunately.

His laughter rings behind me as I make it to the booth Grandma’s already settled into. Brody’s beside her, while Fionn is seated in a chair at the end of the table.

Which, of course, leaves Tynan no other spot but the one right next to me.

He slides in, getting too close.

The side of his thigh touches mine, and my pulse pumps louder in my ears.

The waitress returns, the one who served us earlier. “Hi again!” When her eyes land on the two brothers, they grow a fraction. “Oh, sirs, I didn’t realize…I…”

“It’s okay, Tina. No need to get nervous,” Fionn tells her. “We’re just here with friends.”

“Okay, uh… Here are the menus.” She hands them to us, her face growing crimson as she glances at Tynan.

He doesn’t pay her any mind, though.

“Have you eaten?” he whispers into my ear, and my body grows taut.

I shake my head. “Not hungry.”

“She barely eats these days,” my grandma volunteers with a tsk. “Maybe you can talk some sense into her.”

“I intend to.” His voice rumbles, and I swallow the lump in my throat. “Tina, get us one of everything on the lunch menu.”

“Everything?”

“That’s what I said.”

“Uh, okay. Coming right up, sir.”

She skitters away while Fionn starts talking to my grandma like they’re long-lost friends. Bubbles sits politely on Brody’s lap, and he nuzzles her, causing my heart to swell with adoration.

“Why aren’t you eating?” His question zaps me out of my thoughts.

“I eat.” My face skewers. “She’s exaggerating.”

I brush off his concern and pick up the glass of water the waitress placed on the table before she left.

“I don’t think so.” He grasps my jaw and turns my face toward him. Eyes intense, he sets me aflame, exuding every bit of power he possesses. “From now on, I’ll know if you’re not eating.”

“Oh, yeah? How’s that? You’re gonna watch me every day?”

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