SWNOVELS Brutal Savage: Chapter 16
The days bleed into one another, and with all the time we’ve been spending together, my heart only softens for the man I vowed not to get close to.
He pays me for the days in cash. I can’t believe I have this much money. I can actually save some in case I have to run again.
The nursing home stopped bothering me for payments too, which is a huge relief.
“Right hand on red,” Ruby announces as Brody and I figure out which one of us will win this round of Twister.
He places his hand on the spot, grinning as he almost falls.
Ruby spins the wheel again. “Left foot on yellow.”
“Oh, boy.” I grimace, trying to figure out how to do that when my hand is too far away from my foot.
As I somehow maneuver my foot, my head down, I try not to fall.
From between the split of my thighs, I find Tynan moving up behind me, his body coming closer. Black loafers and gray dress pants. My knees grow weak from how insanely hot he looks. He’s always in a suit of some kind, probably costing more than a down payment on a home.
He comes to stand right behind my ass. “Need help, Ms. Hill?” His voice is like a soft, caressing touch. “Seems like you’ve got yourself all twisted up.”
“Nope.” I fight not to fall. “Just need you to stay far away from me before you make me lose.”
Ruby laughs.
While I shiver as his fingers run up the small of my back and I feel it everywhere.
“Once you’re done here, meet me in my office. I have something important to discuss.”
My stomach dips. “Okay.”
What in the world could he have to talk to me about? He hasn’t brought up Jerry or anything he’s learned about me. But maybe he finally found him somehow. Maybe he already killed him and wants to give me the good news.
We play for a few more minutes before I fall on my behind.
Brody grins.
“You win again, kid. I’m no match for you.” I shake my head. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
I kiss the top of his head, and his small arms curl around my hips, holding me tight as I return the embrace. I love this little boy so much.
He lets me go and treads to Bubbles, who’s currently ripping up a sock she found. I’m pretty sure it’s Tynan’s.
Walking nervously out of the room and through the narrow corridor, I knock on his door, the first one on the left.
“Come in, Ms. Hill,” his irresistible voice calls, and I rub at my collarbone from fear of what he’s about to tell me.
The door parts and he’s there, jacket slung over a black leather chair, his cuffs undone, sleeves tight around the crooks of his arms.
Even through my nerves, I grow warm at the sight of him.
“Close the door and have a seat.” He leans back, swallowing up all the air in the room with his presence.
My heart batters in my chest, the beats unsteady as I take the empty chair across from him.
“So, why am I here?” I brave the question, ignoring the fluttery feeling in my chest.
His eyes concentrate on mine, and for a moment, I wonder if he’ll even talk.
“I have another proposition for you.”
My brows hit my hairline. I knew he’d want more from me. Nothing is ever enough for men like him.
“And what’s that?”
“Marry me.”
I burst out laughing. I can’t seem to stop.
But the more I look at him, the more I realize…
“Oh, you’re not joking.”
“Not even a little.” He folds his arms over his chest.
Oh my God. I can’t believe he just asked me to marry him.
“You’re clearly insane. We don’t even know each other. Hell, we haven’t even gone on a date, and you’re asking me to marry you?”
“I am. And I can. Ask you on a date. Would you like that?”
Shivers run down my arms.
Yes. No. Maybe?
I stare incredulously at this lunatic, my pulse drumming in my temples. How do I get out of this conversation?
“That’s not what we’re talking about.” I shake my head with derision curling through my features. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I won’t stand for it. I’m here for Brody. That’s it. If you’re looking for a wife, find someone else. I’m sure you’d find many willing participants.”
Please let him find someone else!
“I could do that. But I’m choosing not to.” His gaze narrows. “I want you, Elara Hill, and you will say yes.”
Another swell of laughter escapes me, yet a sinking feeling drops to the base of my gut. Like there’s no getting out of this. Fear crawls up my spine.
“You’re a presumptuous, conceited—”
“Go ahead. Finish that sentence.” His lips thin, like he’s daring me.
“Asshole.” My face heats up from my irritation.
He chuckles. “As long as you get soaking wet for assholes, I’m happy to stay one.”
I shake my head at his brash behavior, though he only finds it amusing.
I should never have agreed to work for him.
“I won’t marry you, Tynan.”
Why he’d want that in the first place is the question. Makes no sense. What does he get out of it?
“Hear me out first.”
I huff a sigh. “Fine. But it won’t change my mind. So you’re wasting your time.”
“I need a wife for business purposes, and you very much need protection and money.”
“Oh my God…” My jaw goes slack. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
He ignores me as he continues. “I can give you both. You’ll never struggle again. You’ll have everything. Money, power. I will take care of you and your grandparents. Isn’t that what you need?”
I tug back, unable to comprehend what he’s actually saying. He’s treating marriage like a chess game. Yet…other thoughts start to play in my head too.
Crazy thoughts.
Like the fact that he can actually protect me and my grandparents from Jerry, long enough for me to figure out my next move.
“For how long?”
“What do you mean?”
“How long will I have to remain your wife?”
His mouth dances with a wry smirk. “For the rest of your life, Ms. Hill. This arrangement will be permanent. I have no intention of letting you go.”
My pulse quickens, and I shudder at being his for the rest of my life.
“So you mean to tell me I’d have to be your wife forever just so you can get some deal?” I stare at him in disgust. “You have some nerve!”
He leans closer to the desk, dropping his elbows over it and staring intently at me. “I’m not him, Elara. I won’t hurt you. And you’ll get a large check for every year we’re married, and a bigger one for every child we make together. And at all other times, I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want.”
“How romantic.” My stomach churns. “I hope you know I’d never sleep with you.”
He coughs a laugh. “That’d be difficult, since having a child is the point of all of this.”
I stare wide-eyed at this delusional man. “You’re clearly crazy. I won’t let you touch me or treat me like some vessel to create your future generation.” I jump to my feet. “No, Mr. Quinn, absolutely not. And don’t you dare ask me again, or I’ll stop working for you. And I don’t want to do that to Brody.”
His nostrils expand and his irises narrow.
I turn and start to walk away, not caring how angry he is. I’m the one who should be angry.
His voice looms behind me. “You’re making a very big mistake, Ms. Hill.”
Fear drips down my body. Rearing around to face him, I spring forward and grip the edge of his desk.
“Maybe you’re not used to hearing no. But I’ll gladly be the first person to tell you. No, Mr. Quinn. And that’s final.” My brow hikes in challenge. “Now, excuse me. I have to get back to Brody.”
With my body buzzing, I storm out of there and shut the door behind me with a bang, hoping that’s the end of it.
But with men like Tynan, I know better.
A couple of hours later, and I can’t get over what happened. He didn’t say a word to me while I was with Brody, which was a good thing. I was bound to make a scene.
How dare he? I’d never marry a stranger, let alone a man like him. A dangerous man. No matter how much money he throws at me.
I know the Mafia isn’t made up of nice guys. They’re brutal. I won’t be stuck to one for the rest of my life.
How did this even happen to me? First, my father’s betrayals, then being forced to get engaged to Jerry. Now this? What the hell did I ever do to deserve any of it?
“You okay, sweetheart?” Grandma asks from across the table.
She came for dinner after we visited Grandpa, but I could barely eat. I was already struggling with my appetite, though after today, it’s gone. Being on the run, constantly glancing over your shoulder, makes it hard to stomach anything.
Grandma keeps staring at me curiously, and I release a sigh, needing to talk to someone, and she’s all I have.
“What’s troubling you?” She tucks my fingers into her palm while I stare up at the ceiling for a brief second before peering at her.
“Do you remember the guy from the café?”
“Of course. Who could forget him?” She looks at me flirtatiously, and I roll my eyes.
“I’d personally love to.”
“Oh, come on. I saw the way you were checking him out. He’s a good-looking man.”
“Seriously?”
“What?” She throws her hands in the air. “I may be old, but I’m not blind. So, what about him? Did he do something?” She instantly grows concerned.
“No, nothing like that.”
“Oh, good. I was ready to shoot the bastard.”
I release a laugh. “Oh, Gran, I love you.”
She pats my hand as I go on.
“Okay, so don’t laugh, but today after work, he…uh…” I don’t even know how to say this out loud without it sounding ridiculous.
“Yes?”
“He asked me to marry him.”
“What?” She rolls back into the chair, her eyes flaring.
“I know, right? He’s insane. Clearly needs some heavy medication.”
“Why would he do that?”
I shrug. “He didn’t give me too much detail except that he needs a wife for some business deal. If he thinks I would accept such a ludicrous proposal, he’s out of his mind.”
She stares silently, scratching the side of her gray hair.
“I told him about Jerry, saying I had to leave because of the abuse. So he used that against me, telling me he’d offer protection and money in exchange, like I’m some desperate little girl who needs him to save her.”
“Hmm.” That’s all she says.
“What?” My voice turns irritated.
“Nothing.” She clears her throat, though I can tell she wants to say more, and I know I’m not going to like it.
“Oh my God. You’re crazy too!”
“Just hear me out for a moment.”
I drop my face into my palms, shaking my head. “Unbelievable.”
“Look, sweetheart, I’ve heard about his connections. And, well, I think he may not be so bad for you, considering our situation.”
I narrow my gaze as she goes on.
“I told you. You need a strong man to stand up to the likes of the people we ran from. Throw Jerry on top of that, and…” She sighs. “What kind of man do you think could do that? Some random fella? They’d run before they’d save you.”
It’s like she’s repeating the same thoughts I had when he offered the marriage proposal. But I didn’t want her to actually agree with that rationale!
“So I marry a stranger? Give up my life to be a mobster’s wife? Is that what you’re proposing?”
“Your grandpa was a stranger to me when I married him.”
“What?” I settle deeper into my chair.
That’s news to me.
“Yes. We were arranged to marry, and look at us!” Affection grows in her eyes. “That man is my whole world. So the truth is, sweetheart, you never know what will work out in the end.”
“This is crazy.” I laugh incredulously. “The fact that you’re telling me to consider it is unbelievable. He’s dangerous.”
“Look at the life we’re living! We’ve been running from those people who will probably never stop chasing us. Don’t you remember what they did to your father and your mother?” She shuts her eyes for a second before she’s looking at me again. “So you have to decide what’s better. That, or marrying a man who could keep you safe.”
“But who will keep me safe from him…?” My voice drifts, and his face appears before me.
My skin prickles when I feel his hands on me, his body pressed up against mine.
I’m not him, Elara. I won’t hurt you, his sinful voice whispers against my ear.
And I want to believe him. I want to believe he’s different.
“You like him.”
My fingers feather across my throat. I can still feel the warmth of his breath as though he’s right here.
“I can see it in your eyes,” Gran goes on. “That’s enough to start a marriage.”
“No way, Gran. I’d rather keep running than marry that awful man.”
Oh, Elara. You’re not even cute when you lie. There’s nothing awful about him, except maybe how awfully handsome he is.
She shakes her head. “You’re just as stubborn as your father.”
I grind my molars, not wanting to be associated with him. “Let’s just eat. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
“Alright.” Her mouth twists, but she respects my wishes and continues with her stir-fry.
I’d hate to lose Brody, though if it comes down to it, I’ll quit.
I’ll have to.
There’s no way in hell I’ll ever become Tynan Quinn’s wife.