Page 4 of Ruthless

“Nope.” She shuts her phone off and tosses it inside the center console. The lid snaps shut with a resounding click that resonates through the cab as she leans back in her seat and sighs.

“Fair enough.” I shift my attention back on the road and relax a bit. The truth is, I’m in no hurry to deal with her family either. Mine is plenty enough right now.

I feel her eyes on me. When I glance away from the road, I find her gaze on the snake tattoo that peeks out from the sleeve of my T-shirt.

Her head tilts to the side as her eyes trail over the artwork that decorates my right bicep. She’s dissecting every single detail, trying to figure out its significance. “You must really like snakes.”

I grind my teeth together, biting down on the gum, as the thought of those fucking copperheads Asher messed with a couple of years ago fill my head. “I fucking hate them.”

“Then why get it tattooed on your skin where you’ll see it every day?” Her dark eyebrows pinch together as she keeps staring at my skin.

“To remind me that I can’t be controlled by my fear.”

My confession causes her to sit up straighter in her seat as she fidgets with the diamond on her ring. What I’ve said must have struck something inside of her because when I glance over to see her wide-eyed expression, there’s a flicker of light in her eyes, like my answer holds the key to something more.

“Does it work?”

My gaze shifts back to the road, and I let out a deep exhale at her question. “Don’t know yet.”

“Right.” She nods, and we both grow quiet once more, getting lost in our thoughts.

When I pull up the dirt drive a short time later, I find the new cameras Asher installed, clocking our every move. If my brothers didn’t know we were here before, they do now. So much for sneaking in under the radar. I shake my head and lift my left hand to give the nearest one my middle finger, knowing damn well Axel is talking shit.

Thick Georgia Pines line the way as I pass by Asher’s place and all of the baby toys that litter the front yard to park directly in front of the bigger two-story cabin. Two heads are pressed against the glass of the windows that align the front wall watching us pull up. A stone fireplace separates them, but it’s the two assholes staring at me from the rocking chairs on the front porch that has my fingers digging into the steering wheel.

I kill the engine and twist to the side to face Kennedy, who has gone stiff as a board. “Are you ready for this?”

“I thought I was, but is it too late to back out?” Her bright blue eyes glisten behind her glasses as she sighs. She looks so lost right now, like an injured bird stuck inside a gilded cage, and damned if I ever want her to feel like her wings have been clipped.

I reach over and squeeze her hand. “It’ll be okay. I promise. Wait here a sec.” I get out and walk around the truck’s cab to get our bag and the door for her. She climbs out, takes my free hand, and together we walk toward my brothers.

Axel strolls down the steps with Asher right behind him, wearing a shit-eating grin that I want to smack off his face until they meet us halfway. “Well, look what the dog shit out.”

CHAPTERTWO

Kennedy

The palm of my hand sweats as I squeeze my grip tighter around Zane’s. He returns the gesture, causing my heart’s pounding to settle down some, but not enough to stop the flow of blood from reaching my face.

I’ve only seen his brothers once in my dad’s office, and I was so overcome with emotion that day that I can’t even recall paying much attention to them. My gaze was focused solely on Zane with a mixture of wonder and betrayal for anything else to matter at the time. I did spend several hours looking them up online afterward. Other than knowing Asher’s spent time in prison for falsely being accused of murdering his pregnant wife eight years ago and that Zane and his other brother Axel have military pasts, I only found enough information to tell them apart. Now seeing them all together, I can see the familial similarities. From the same deep shade of blue eyes to the dark brown hair, down to the same stubborn square jaw, there’s no denying that they’re family. Even their muscular build is similar.

All three of the Savage brothers are well over six feet and tower over my five-foot-two frame, making me feel small and insignificant. I dig the heels of my Vans into the dark Georgia clay and do my best to remain calm. I’m not sure what the hell I was thinking running away with Zane to get married, but it’s better than the alternative.

Not that there’s anything wrong with Aidan. He’s always been nice to me and not just because he’s best friends with my brother Connor or the fact that my brothers would kill him if he made me cry, but he doesn’t make my pulse race at the sight of him or make my heart feel like it’s going to explode out of my chest from just one touch.

My thoughts fall back to the bearded giant next to me that’s covered in tattoos, and my body shivers. Our one night together is something I replay in my head often. I’ve only slept with two other people besides him and they in no way compare to what we did that night. I’m not sure where we go from here, but we are having a baby together, and that’s more than enough for right now.

“Fuck off, Ax,” Zane growls out through his clenched jaw.

Axel laughs, flashing a pair of deep-set dimples on either side of his cheeks. He’s not bothered by his brother’s hostility one bit. If anything, he looks like this is a regular occurrence. He pushes them to the brink, and they snap back.

“Your fucking phone broken, Z?” Asher crosses his arms over his chest and glares.

There’s an edge to him that would have most people wanting to turn around and run the other way. It’s a good thing I’m not most people. I’ve been raised by four overbearing brothers and my equally protective father with the same roughness, and it’s not something I can’t handle. He’s not as easygoing as Axel, and in a weird way, he reminds me of my brother, Connor. Both are hardened by the obstacles life has thrown their way. My stomach plummets at the thought of my oldest brother. Having to face him and the rest of my family isn’t going to be easy. Nerves overtake and have me ready to throw up on the spot.

Axel must sense that I’m ready to bolt because while Asher and Zane are locked in a stare down, he shoots me a wink and steps closer to us.

“Nope. Works just fine.” Zane pushes his shoulders back as he clenches his jaw, making him seem taller and pose more of a threat. The two of them don’t say a word for what feels like an eternity as they continue to glare at each other. The silence is deafening. A lump forms in my throat the longer I watch this go on. Both are still as statues, looking pissed off at the world.

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