Brutal Savage: A Single Dad Forced Marriage Irish Mafia Romance (Savage Kings Book 2)

I’ve yet to decide on the job offer Tynan made a couple of days ago.

Just the thought of that man sends a shiver down my spine.

I can’t be forced to see him every single day. The way he makes my body grow weak is too much for me to handle.

“What’s on your mind, honey?” Grandma asks from the other side of the table at the café, the one he owns.

He’s everywhere, even when he’s not present. It’s like I can feel him watching me, even when that makes no logical sense.

Gran eyes me speculatively. She’s a shrewd woman. Definitely fools lots of people with her sweet act. Not to say she’s not sweet, but she’s tough when she has to be.

She used to run a company she started with Grandpa. Textiles, that’s what they sold. Then when they got older, they handed it off to my dad to manage, on top of his restaurant.

He wasn’t very good at it. That, of course, made Grandma pretty pissy. And who wouldn’t be? But with her help, my father figured it out.

Then after his death, she sold it to someone else. She didn’t have it in her to work anymore. Of course, being on the run, she would’ve had to sell it anyway or leave it all behind. I’m glad she got the money for it before we had to leave. It helps. Though after the debts she had to pay off, it didn’t leave very much.

Between us both, we’re barely making it work. His home costs ten thousand every month. Money we don’t have.

“Nothing.” I force a grin and pick up my coffee, taking a few sips.

She sighs, grabbing my hand and clutching it, her blue eyes glistening. “You’re worried. I can see it.” She leans in closer into the table. “Don’t be. It will all work out. You’ll see. They won’t find us. Not here.”

“It’s not just that. It’s everything, you know?” A whoosh of a breath leaves me, and my eyes pin shut for a moment. “I hate that we had to run.” An ache hits the back of my throat.

“It’s not your fault.” Her face drops to the side. “None of it is. Your father made that mess.”

She’s right; it is my dad’s fault.

But she doesn’t have the full picture. About Dad’s involvement with Jerry. What they made me do. She thinks Jerry was just a bad boyfriend. Yet she’s never seen the scars I bear because of my so-called father. That he sold me for his sins.

The thought of it all makes my stomach turn.

I force all thoughts of him away.

Can’t think about that now.

I desperately need to go on my run to clear my head.

“You ready to go?” I ask her.

She nods, grabbing her wallet while I leave some cash to pay for our tab. She rises, and I follow her out the door.

As we start back to her place, only a short walk away, I notice a small black-and-white dog running in our direction, her leash dragging behind her, a purple collar around her neck.

“Oh, goodness!” Gran gasps. “Someone must’ve run off.”

“Hey!” I call to the pup, hoping the dog stops so I can help the owner find her. “Come here! Look what I have!”

Kneeling, I pretend I have a treat in my hand, and the dog jumps into my arms.

Well, that was easy.

She starts licking my face, and I laugh, unable to stop her. I can tell there’s something wrong with one of her eyes, and I instantly feel sorry for her.

“You’re excited, aren’t you?” I pet the top of her head, and she won’t stop.

It’s pretty sweet how happy she is to see me. I don’t remember the last time someone was this excited to have me around.

I’ve never owned a dog. My father hated them, said they’re useless creatures. As a little girl, I always envied all my friends who had them. Then I got older and got a job and realized I had no time for one.

“Uh, Elara?” Grandma’s voice drops.

“Yes?” I keep laughing as the dog licks my eyes, my nose.

My goodness, she’s precious. I bet her owners miss her very much.

“Um—” she continues, but a deep voice cuts her off.

“Ms. Hill.”

An inhale stills in my lungs.

Because there’s only one man who can make my heart beat that way.

And I hate that he can. I hate that he has an invisible power over me already.

Gradually, I lower the dog and stare up into the eyes of the man I’ve spent my nights thinking about, imagining all the dirty things he could do to me.

“Mr. Quinn? What are you doing here?”

His mouth quirks only a fraction, like smiling is almost painful. His eyes take a dangerous turn as he marches a step forward.

“That’s my dog.”

I laugh. Him owning such an adorable dog, and one with a purple collar, no less? Unlikely.

His brooding gaze flays me open.

“Oh…you’re serious.”

He cocks a brow. “Hand her to me.”

“Uh…”

I have no idea what to do. What if he’s lying? I hold the dog to my chest, and as she looks at him, she growls. Pretty sure if he does own her, she doesn’t exactly like him.

His chest rises and slowly falls, like he’s trying to collect every ounce of patience. “The dog, Ms. Hill.”

“Elara, just give him the dog.” Grandma’s tone strains.

I glance at her for a second before I peek at him again, and instantly regret it. He definitely looks like he’s ready to dismember me limb from limb. Makes me wonder if he’s actually done that.

Of course he has…

His eyes narrow, and my stomach drops.

But it’s no longer just fear.

His intense gaze roves down my body, searing into me, scorching me where I stand.

Desire winds itself around me, every inch of my flesh begging to be his until it becomes unbearable. There’s just something about him. He’s all man, with those big hands that could do quite a lot to a woman’s body. My stomach clenches at his rugged sex appeal.

Geez, Elara! Concentrate on the problem at hand instead of picturing him eating you out 69-style.

Okay.

The dog.

Right.

I definitely can’t just give him the dog, not unless he can somehow prove it’s his. How do I know she really belongs to him?

“Do you happen to have a photo of her?”

He sighs. “This isn’t in your best interest, Ms. Hill.” He moves up until the dog is sandwiched between us, until his mouth lowers to my ear, his breath tingling across my neck. “I don’t like to be questioned. Even by someone as beautiful as you.”

My sharp inhale has him chuckling low and menacingly.

“You didn’t call me.” His palm grips my hip, and I grow breathless.

“Was I supposed to?” I whisper, dizzy from the feeling of his body this close to mine, the smell of his expensive cologne that I’ve now decided is my favorite smell of all time.

“Did you forget about my job offer?”

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.

The man smiles at me, stalking closer and extending a hand. “I’m Fionn, this idiot’s brother.” He gestures with a tilt of his head. “I hope he wasn’t being a complete you-know-what.” He winks. “We’ve been looking for Bubbles for over an hour. She ran off while Tynan was putting all her new stuff into his car.”

I glance between him and Brody, who looks up and gives me a big grin. And just like last time, I want to cry. It’s so beautiful when he smiles. I never want him to stop smiling.

“Hey, buddy!” I kneel, and when I do, the dog starts licking his face, so I hand her to him, and he gives her a warm hug.

My heart melts at the sight of them.

And with all the emotions swimming in my chest, all I want to do is look at Tynan.

It’s there I find his eyes already sinking into mine. His face is hard, yet something in it feels almost human, almost raw. His expression slowly softens, and that mouth…it gives me a tiny smile.

Just a minuscule curve of his lips is all it takes for my gut to flip, butterflies soaring within. And just like whenever he smiles like that, I lose all self-control.

I force my attention on Brody, ignoring Tynan and all the things he manages to make me feel.

“Is Bubbles your new dog?” I pet her one last time.

She jumps all over him, licking him like she did me, her leash dangling on the ground.

He nods, and his grin widens as he holds her tighter, his eyes closing as he lets her kiss him all over.

“So, did you just get her?” I ask Tynan, even though I should just walk away—far away from him.

There’s no way I can agree to help Brody, not after today. Not after how good it feels when Tynan’s near.

Fionn smirks as he assesses his brother’s intensity, his eyes never leaving mine.

Tynan nods. “We were in the parking lot when she ran off.”

“Oh.” My face falls. “I’m glad I found her. She’s beautiful.”

“Yes, she is…” He sucks me into his deep and searching gaze, green like summer grass, that low and seductive voice sliding across my flesh like satin, wrapping itself around my skin.

With each passing moment, he doesn’t relent. It’s as though he’s staring into my soul.

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I start to wonder if he was even talking about the dog to begin with.

“Join us for lunch,” he says, and I blink back, breaking our connection.

“No, thank you. We just⁠—”

“We would love to,” Grandma offers instead.

What is she thinking?

“You just ate, Gran.” I smile politely, rolling an arm over her shoulders as I whisper, “What are you doing?”

She grins at them while leaning into my neck. “You need a man like that. Strong. Powerful. Trust me.”

“You have no idea what you’re saying. He’s dangerous.” From the corner of my vision, I peek up at him, hoping he didn’t hear that.

“We’ll see.” She pulls my hand, her tone rising. “Come on, dear. I could use another coffee, and we know you like yours.”

“Okay, uh, sure…”

She strides up beside Brody and Fionn, all three walking ahead of us, and somehow I’m stuck behind with Tynan.

He steps closer, his arm brushing mine, the smell of his woodsy cologne infecting my nostrils, corrupting every inch of my mind.

“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?”

His mouth slowly curves on one side and he drops his hand away. “Make sure you do, Ms. Hill. Wouldn’t want you fainting on me.”

His palm drops to the top of my thigh, and I feel it—heavy and strong, making my skin throb and tingle in its wake.

It remains there as the food comes. It only leaves for a moment as he places different items on my plate. Pasta and salad, and some chicken too.

His hand cups my knee, a finger drawing circles over my leggings. And those eyes…they watch me intently, waiting for me to eat.

His brow bows, and I pick up the fork and throw a piece of lettuce into my mouth.

Not hiding his dissatisfaction, he takes his own fork and picks up a piece of chicken. “Open your mouth.”

And I realize everyone at the table is now quiet, their attention on us. But Grandma? She’s trying and failing to hide her smile.

He drops his lips to my ear. “The more you resist, the more I’ll keep pushing. So come on, open your mouth for me.”

My heavy exhale causes my chest to rattle, and I find myself obeying.

He pops the fork into my mouth and watches me chew with a hardened expression.

“I—I’ve got the rest,” I stammer and he grinds his jaw, refusing to lower the fork. “I don’t see you eating.”

He lowers his mouth to my ear once more, my skin warm and languid. “I won’t be eating until you’re done, so be a good girl and open that mouth every time I tell you.”

My heartbeats tremble in my rib cage. I don’t know why those words just affected me so much. And every time he brings that food to my mouth, I accept it without a fight.

Because in some crazy way, it feels like he’s taking care of me, and I like that very much.