Page 88 of Brutal Savage

And as he captures my lips and groans, I almost forget I’m supposed to hate him.

CHAPTER 20

ELARA

I’m still in shock when the priest leaves. It’s like a bad dream. But when I stare down at my finger, I realize this is reality.

“I don’t want this.”

His eyes scan mine when I look into them. I hate him right now. Hate what he’s forced me into. Tears prickle within my eyes, and he’s there, cupping my face and looking at me like I matter.

But he’s a monster.

And monsters don’t care.

“I don’t want this to be bad for you, Elara. I know you don’t believe me, but your happiness matters to me.”

His thumb brushes over my lips, and my lashes flutter. I hate that his hands on me make me feel this damn good.

“My happiness matters so much that you take me against my will?” I scoff.

He drags in a long breath. “I’m not your ex. I won’t hurt you.”

“Yet you forced me to marry you.” My laugh is short and dry. “You’re a real gentleman.”

I push off his hand, and he releases me, walking back a few steps and running his hand down his face.

I shake my head. “What the hell will I tell people at school once they find out? I could lose my job. Do you even care, or will you stop me from working too? Because I swear, Tynan…” I walk up to him and dig an index finger into his hard chest. “If you assume I’ll quit, you have another think coming.”

He grabs my wrist and brings my knuckles to his lips, kissing them slowly as he gazes down at me through hooded eyes. “I don’t expect you to quit, and if you’re worried about being let go, don’t be. I know the superintendent of the district well. He wouldn’t wanna piss me off by firing my wife.”

His wife.

I shake off the warmth those words just brought me, and relief washes over me instead. At least I won’t lose my job.

Except, you know, I’ll be married to a Mafia man. And he intends to get me pregnant. Will he force me? Oh, God…

“Just tell me why you’re doing this. Why me?”

He releases a heavy sigh. “Come sit with me.”

He moves toward the sofa. The house is dark, no one awake at this late hour. When I lower to the opposite corner from him, he shakes his head and pats the space right beside him.

“Better get used to being close to me.”

A lopsided smirk lifts his lips, and it settles in my gut, reminding me that beneath the hate, there’s insufferable attraction waiting to consume us both.

I scoot closer, yet keeping a little distance. But he curls an arm around my back and brings me up against him, uncomfortably so. Our outer thighs meet, and my heart gallops in my throat.

“Now that we’re married, I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

He takes my hand in his and holds it in his lap, rubbing circles over my skin, making me warm. It’s what he does to me, and there’s nothing I can do about it, no matter how hard I try.

“My father is the head of the Irish Mob. He plans to retire soon, and I’m next in line.”

I cup my mouth, realizing what he’s trying to tell me. “And you needed to get married to do that…”

“Yes. My father is big on continuing our family line, and I had two months to find a wife. Then I met you and saw how good you are for Brody, and he’s the one person in my life who matters most to me.”

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