Page 47 of Brutal Savage

She releases an impatient exhale. “Alright. I’ll speak to billing. But a week, Ms. Hill. That’s all you have. There will be no other extensions.”

“Understood.”

“Have a good day.”

“You too.”

She drops the call, and I grip the phone in a tight grasp, my breath ravaging in my chest. I have to tell Tynan I want the job. That’d give me at least seven thousand a week. I’ll have the rest of the money from my salary.

My arm stings, and I groan as I head toward the kitchen.

As I step inside, I gasp through my racing heart, jumping back and almost tripping over my own feet.

Because sitting there in my kitchen is none other than Tynan Quinn.

Wearing that same smirk I can’t seem to get out of my head.

CHAPTER 12

ELARA

“What the fuck!” I drop my palms on my knees, trying to quiet the pounding of my heartbeats. “What in the world are you doing in my house?”

He folds his arms over his chest with a menacing twist of his mouth. “Hello to you too, Ms. Hill. I think it’s time we had a proper chat, don’t you?”

“And you just break in? You’re insane,” I huff out, still frazzled. “You need to get the hell out of my house before I call the police.”

He blows out a long breath, like he’s bored. “And how do you expect that to go? I know every cop in this town.”

His eyes dance over my frame, and heat blooms across the path of his gaze. Those green eyes snap back to mine.

“You’re crazy!”

My body trembles with anger and frustration, with everything that just happened—the car, Grandpa’s bill. I can’t take another second of this! My emotions are in overdrive, and if he doesn’t leave right now, I’m gonna kill him or burst into tears.

“You need to go!” Rage simmers in my voice, but he doesn’t so much as move, remaining seated like this is his home, not mine.

“Have a seat, Ms. Hill.” He extends his hand and I laugh incredulously.

My head grows dizzy, and I’m about to scream.

“Get out!” I warn him one last time.

When his mouth twitches, I growl and lift the mug sitting on the counter, tossing it at his face. He jumps off the seat and watches it go flying straight into the wall, shattering into pieces.

“Wow. You have some balls.” For a moment, he looks proud, then his face shifts to something scarier. He stalks toward me, grabbing my jaw in a tight grip. “Let this be your first and final warning, little serpent. You try that again, and I won’t be so nice. Do we understand each other?”

My chin trembles, tears blurring my vision, and every strength in me fades. And I wish he would do it. I wish he’d just kill me.

My body rocks with heavy breathing as I fight not to cry, not to appear weak. I can’t take any more of this. None of it. Maybe my grandparents would be better off without me.

His brows furrow and his grip loosens, concern fitting his features.

“What’s wrong?” His thumb climbs up my cheek, wiping away the tears that happened to fall. “Did I hurt you?”

I shake my head, wincing from the pain in my arm, and then he sees it: the blood. With my black hoodie, it was easy to miss it at first.

“What is this?” he snaps, his nostrils flaring as he gently lifts my wrist to examine my arm. “Who did this to you?”

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