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

It took a lot for her to be honest yesterday. The way her pain seeped from her eyes, it haunts me. I hated knowing she was hurt by someone who thought he could treat her that way.

Staring at the computer in the underground tech office of our academy, I look up Evelyn Connors and find a photo of her staring back at me.

Her social media profile is inactive and from a few years ago, but it’s her. There’s nothing on the fiancé, though it’s only a matter of time before I find him and who he works for. They’re not in our circle, but there are many factions of gangs out there. He could be in any one of them.

I’ll have to do more digging after Brody goes to bed. Elara should be here any minute. Shutting off the screen, I head up and out the door.

My home is a ten-minute walk from the academy, and I make it back in less, smelling the dinner Ruby has already started to prep.

As I start for the door, Rogue pulls up.

She’s here.

Our eyes meet, and her mouth trembles into a small smile.

Before Rogue has a chance to touch her, I’m there, opening her door.

“Let me.” I take her hand in mine.

Her long, dark lashes fan as she steps out, and when she tries to snap her hand from mine, I tighten my grasp.

“It’s nice to see you, Elara.”

She clears her throat, glancing to the back of Rogue’s head, who walks before us.

“Don’t say my name like that!” Her voice is low and raspy.

“But you’re so fun to toy with.” My words rough across her ear.

She scratches there, and I chuckle. I don’t know why I like setting her off as much as I do. Don’t remember having this much fun with a woman before.

She pushes past me and heads toward the kitchen, greeting Ruby while I stand behind her, unable to stop my gaze from wandering down her sinful curves.

No matter what I told myself before, she has to be the one I marry. She’s the perfect choice. She not only needs money, but protection too. I can offer her both in exchange for staying with me. Divorce wouldn’t be an option.

The thought of getting her pregnant makes my cock throb. She’d object, but I’d make her fall in line. Just need to approach this delicately. Make her think this is a good idea for the both of us.

And if she doesn’t agree…well, there are other ways.

She heads off with Brody, who brings over a board game for them to play in the dining room. I stare at them from the doorjamb. He looks genuinely happy with her being here, and it’s only day two.

The puppy sleeps at their feet while they play Monopoly. When she looks up at me and gives me one of her real smiles, something in me snaps, coming undone until I’m lost to the feeling of her eyes on mine.

My hand curls, and I force myself to walk away. This isn’t meant to be anything besides a mutually beneficial relationship.

I’ll give her the chance to agree willingly. But if she doesn’t…well, let’s just say this woman’s already my wife. She just doesn’t know it yet.

But just because we’re married doesn’t mean we have to love each other. Plenty of loveless arranged marriages in my circle.

We’d just be one of many.

With great sex.

I know it will be.

Besides that, besides making a baby, I don’t have to see her much or spend time with her. Not unless it’s for Brody’s sake.

We’ll fuck enough to make children, then we’ll live separate lives. Hope that works for her. Because it will for me. I told myself long ago I wouldn’t get attached to a woman.

I won’t let myself feel something real because that shit only leads to pain.

Images of my mother storm into my mind. Her body ignited by flames while she screamed tied to a chair as Sergey laughed until her voice died.

Until she died.

I suck in a rough breath.

No. I won’t love her. I can’t.

Love is something I can’t afford.

Scrubbing my face, I settle onto the stool in the kitchen while Ruby cuts up some romaine lettuce for the salad she’s prepping.

“She seems nice.” She glances at me with a knowing smile. “Don’t you agree?”

“Don’t do that, Ruby.”

“Do what, sir?” She gives me her back, grabbing some peppers, probably busting out a grin she doesn’t want me to see.

“Don’t call me ‘sir.’ And you know exactly what. I’m not interested in her.”

She pops a brow once she peers at me again. “Did you tell your face that?” Her shoulders jump with a quick laugh. “You’re starting to like her, and it’s killing you, isn’t it?”

I groan and pinch my temple. “I’m going now.”

Rising to my feet, I start for the den, needing to avoid Elara.

“It’s hard to hear the truth,” Ruby calls after me. “But she’s lovely.”

Too lovely.

And beautiful.

And sweet.

Insufferably so.

I pass by the living room, needing to see her again.

It’s like I’m infected. Can’t just walk away in the opposite direction if I know she’s right there.

Close enough to touch.

To taste.

To feel.

Fuck, she makes me feel everything, and that terrifies me.

When she finds me staring, her mouth curls on one side.

“Wanna play with us? Brody’s in the bathroom and is about to come back.”

I take in a long drag of an inhale.

This is not a good idea.

“Why would I do that?” Though my feet are already moving toward her.

Her face bends with a smile. “Uh, so I can beat you?”

I chuckle dryly. “Fine. But you won’t beat me.”

“We’ll see.” She tips her chin. “You should know, though. I’m very competitive.”

I pull the chair beside hers, my palm landing on the inside of her thigh.

Her eyes widen.

She’s so small. So fierce. So beautiful.

“I am too, Ms. Hill. I won’t let you win.”

“I’d be offended if you did.”

She’s enjoying this, the gleam in her eyes brightening, and something in me likes it. Her playfulness. Want to see more of it. More of her smiling and happy.

Thoughts of her ex fill my mind, and I can’t stop picturing what he could’ve done to her. I want to ask for every detail, because I need to know. I want to rip him apart for every single transgression. But I won’t make her relive that.

He touched her.

He hurt her.

And that’s enough.

Brody rushes back excitedly, and when he sees me, he stops in place, his gloom returning, his vision jumping between the two of us.

I fucking hate this. What did I do to make him hate me? I try to think back to before his parents died. We always got along. Things changed after they died. Like he hates me for it. I don’t know what the hell to do to fix this. To bring back the relationship we once had.

She must notice, because she grabs my hand and holds it tight, looking my way for a moment. But I hide the way the rejection affects me. I have to. I have to focus on helping him.

“Tynan is gonna play with us. Isn’t that awesome?”

Brody shrugs.

“Maybe I should go?” I whisper into her ear.

“No.” Her voice is just as low. “He needs this. You have to understand that you probably remind him of his parents, his dad, and it hurts. That’s all this is. Pain.” Her eyes lock with mine.

I wanna kiss you…

“I didn’t think of it that way.”

“I know. That’s why you have me.” She winks. “Now, let’s play!”

She rubs her palms, and Brody finally sits down on her opposite side.

We play for over thirty minutes, having too much fun. I don’t think I’ve played a board game since I was really young, when Iseult would beat me every time and gloat about it. Not much has changed with her. She still gloats, and she can still kick my ass.

“Dinner, guys!” Ruby calls.

Brody helps us clean up and puts away the game, leaving us standing alone for a minute.

“That was nice. Thanks for asking me.” My hand reaches for hers and our fingertips brush, jolting all the molecules in my limbs.

“You’re very welcome. Maybe we can do that again sometime. It’s good for Brody.”

“I’d love that.” I run my fingers up her arm and enjoy the way every tiny hair rises.

She grows visibly uncomfortable from our proximity and pushes her chair all the way into the table before she walks past me with a quick glance.

I keep the laugh to myself, though I savor the reaction I bring out in her when I touch her. It’s like an aphrodisiac.

I follow her into the kitchen, the smell of chicken and garlic wafting in the air.

We all settle around the table and start to eat. Ruby asks about the game and who won, and of course, we both let Brody win. But I know she would’ve beat me if it came to it. I grin internally at the thought.

“That was delicious. Thank you, Ruby.” Elara smiles at her, taking her plate and Brody’s to the sink, where she proceeds to wash them.

With mine in hand, I walk up behind her, pushing her into the counter.

She gasps, and I let out a low groan, almost forgetting about Ruby or Brody or anyone except this woman. This damn woman who’s turned my mind upside down. I drop my plate into the sink and take her soapy hands in mine, washing Brody’s plate with her, running my wet fingertips in and around her fingers.

“Tynan,” she whispers, all low and throaty, and my cock instantly hardens.

I know she can feel it.

I want more. I want her bare and begging and⁠—

A sudden noise catches our attention, ripping us from the trance.

She pushes off me as we both turn to find Brody staring hard with a glass cup in hand.

“Hey, buddy!” Elara marches toward him, ignoring me while kneeling before him.

When she whispers something in his ear, he eagerly nods, grinning at her with excitement.

I happen behind her and Brody gives me a tight look.

“What are you two up to?” My eyes connect with hers, and it’s like the world shifts all over again. Every single time she looks at me.

I can’t stop myself from touching her, the molecules in my veins pulling to hers. My hand caresses up and down her shoulder, feeling her quiver.

“We’re gonna go watch a movie and eat ice cream. Wanna come?” She plays with her hair.

I’m making her nervous.

“Yes.” No hesitation.

“Great.” She clears her throat and grabs a carton of ice cream from the freezer while Brody retrieves three spoons.

Maybe he doesn’t hate me that much.

Who am I kidding?

He leaves us for the den while Elara fidgets, holding tight to the ice cream.

“So, we’re eating right out of this thing?” I ask.

“Have a problem with that?” There’s a twinkle in those beautiful eyes.

“None. Just checking what the rules are.”

She laughs, like a real laugh. And I vow to make her do that again.

“I promised him, and I keep my promises.”

“That’s a good trait to have.” I feather my thumb over her bottom lip as soon as Ruby disappears. “You’re driving me crazy,” I growl, pushing her body up against the wall, my hand tangled in her hair.

“We talked about this, Tynan,” she moans, grabbing my wrist, yet not even attempting to push me off.

My skin instantly warms at her touch.

“I can’t help myself.” My mouth descends to her throat, tempting her with hurried kisses.

In the background, the noise of the television comes to life, and she releases a heavy groan.

“Please…” She tugs my hair, pushing my mouth even deeper. “Please stop.”

I chuckle against her beating pulse, kissing there, inhaling her floral scent. One I wanna get lost in.

“Only ’cause you asked nicely.” I smirk against her throat, leaving one last kiss on the spot where her shoulder and neck meet.

Reluctantly, I let her go before she ends up getting fucked against the wall. Running a frustrated hand down my face, I promise myself to behave the rest of the day.

“Ready?” I ask her.

She nods, clearing her throat and rushing out of the room.

A crooked smile falls to my face as I follow her into the den, where Brody waits on the sofa. She settles beside him, while I take the other side of her. I have no idea what movie is playing, nor do I care.

She dips the spoon into the chocolate ice cream and sucks on it, staring at the screen, while I stare at her. And all I can think about is kissing her.

My eyes fall to the top of her breasts, full and enticing through the pink blouse she wears, the first two buttons popped open. Takes me back to when I was in her classroom, wanting to rip her shirt open and have her right on her desk.

I curl my hand at my side to quiet the need for this woman.

“You’re not eating any?” she whispers, shoving the carton toward me.

I could use something cold. I take a spoonful into my mouth, and she watches me from her periphery.

Filling up the spoon, I drag it to her lips this time. “Open your mouth.”

Her eyes glisten as she locks them on mine, parting those gorgeous lips. Sucking on the spoon, she makes me groan.

My mouth lowers to her ear. “You probably shouldn’t look that good doing something so innocent if you want me to behave.”

She stares at me all open-mouthed, face flushed, and fuck, does she turn me on.

Brody scoots closer to her, eagerly watching the screen, and I force myself to be on my best behavior.

Again.

“He’s having fun,” she murmurs, clearly needing the change of topic as badly as I do.

“You’re good for him, just like I thought you would be.”

“So are you.” She places her palm on top of my thigh, and my muscles ripple.

Her hand jolts back, like she just realized what she did.

I grab her wrist and return her palm to where it was.

“Leave it,” I whisper into the shell of her ear. “I like it there.”

She visibly swallows while the spoon in her hand jitters. Taking it from her, I start to feed her, realizing I very much enjoy it.

She doesn’t take her eyes off of me as I part her lips with the cold metal and watch her mouth move. Even the way she eats is attractive.

I know marrying her will be a mistake. But right now, it’s a mistake I’m willing to make.

Because I want her.

And that’s the end of it.