SWNOVELS Brutal Savage: Chapter 18
I don’t see much of Tynan while I’m with Brody, running around with the dog and spending the time playing games.
I don’t know if I’m close to getting him to talk, though the fact that he has fun? That’s important to his healing. Hopefully one day when I’m gone, he’s talking again and he’s okay.
But I know I can’t stay here. Not after everything Tynan said.
He won’t let me go. I’ll have to take matters into my own hands. There’s no other choice.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, buddy.”
Before I can head to the car, he squeezes his arms around my hips.
“I love you too.” My hand brushes over his head, and I kiss the top of it, my heart squeezing so painfully I might cry.
But this is for the best.
I have to leave.
As I glance up, Tynan is there leaning against the doorframe, face haunted by demons, the same ones that live in his heart.
He’s not a good man, no matter how he treats this little boy. No matter how safe I feel when I’m around him. It’s all a well-crafted lie.
He lives a life of crime. He murders people. I won’t become his wife, a mere puppet for him to command at his whim. Someone he can abuse and cheat on and throw away like trash when his needs aren’t met.
An ache pushes up my throat, and instead I smile at Brody, refusing to look at the beautifully harsh man staring at me. He’s in a simple white t-shirt now, gray sweats hung low on his well-built hips. Shameful heat pulses in my core, knowing I have to leave before I fall into temptation.
Sleeping with him is the last thing I should do.
Yet the one thing I want.
“I’ll walk you to the car,” he says.
A chill sways over my limbs, like a premonition of what’s to come if I remain here.
“Okay.” I say goodbye to Brody one last time before Tynan is beside me, standing too close.
He turns to me. “See you tomorrow, Ms. Hill.”
“Yes.” My smile fades as soon as we make eye contact.
Knots tighten in my stomach.
His fingertips brush faintly over mine, and tingles erupt over my skin. Treacherous things. Reminding me that my body craves him more than my mind ever could.
“Ready to go?” Rogue asks, already waiting in the spacious driveway.
“I am.” I get in the passenger side. “Goodbye, Tynan.” I give him one last glance.
Something curious crosses over his face, but it only lasts a second.
Shutting the door behind me, I find him watching intently, as though he can see me through the tinted window.
Does he suspect I’m planning to leave?
No, of course not. I haven’t even figured out where I’ll go or how I’ll do it.
I have the money he’s given me so far. I can pay for my grandfather’s home for a few months, and the rest I can use. That’ll give me enough time to find a place to live and get a job so I can send more money for him.
Sorrow builds in my chest. I hate leaving my grandparents. I can’t tell Grandma anything. Not until I’m long gone. It’s better that way. I don’t want her to try to convince me to stay. She’s already told me she thought marriage to Tynan was a good idea.
As soon as I get home, anxiety builds. I have to go. Tonight. Tynan will make me marry him if I don’t. I’m not sure how he’ll do it, but he will. He’s said it in so many words, and I refuse to be his pawn.
Locking the door, I peek out the curtain, seeing Rogue sitting in his car. He’ll be here all night. But around four a.m., he leaves and returns an hour later. That’s when I’ll go.
I head upstairs and take out one piece of luggage, the largest I have, and start adding my clothes, shoes, and anything else I need into it until it’s completely full.
I’ll sleep for a few hours, and wake up at three in the morning. Then, as soon as Rogue’s gone, I will be too.
If only I didn’t have to go. I love this town and my job. And I love Brody too. I will miss him like crazy. And it breaks my heart to know he might be sad to know I’m gone.
I won’t be able to work as a teacher anymore, will I? Tynan will find me easily that way. I’ll need to keep a low profile.
Now I’ll have to hide from both Jerry and Tynan. This is gonna be great.
Hours later, and I force myself to eat something before heading to bed, though I’m so scared and nervous, I can’t stomach anything. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich tastes bitter, but I get it down.
There’s so much I have to do while on the road. I’ll have to tell the owner of this house that I won’t be returning, then call the school and come up with some plausible excuse for my disappearance. A family emergency of some kind. It is partly the truth.
I settle on the sofa and turn on a random TV show, needing to distract myself from the fear of what will happen when Tynan realizes I’ve left for good.
“Shh…” a voice hums from beside me, caressing me out of deep sleep.
Or maybe I’m dreaming.
I groan, stretching my limbs and yawning, remembering why I have to be up.
Is it time already? My alarm didn’t go off.
“Wake up, Elara.”
The instant I hear his voice, I jolt up to a seated position, my heart racing uncontrollably.
And sitting beside me on the bed is the man I vowed to get away from.
What is he doing here?!
Oh, God. The luggage.
It’s…it’s in the corner of my bedroom.
Maybe he didn’t see it.
Maybe he’s just crazy and broke into my house again like the last time.
I drag my comforter over my chest, in nothing but a baggy sweatshirt and leggings, my hair disheveled too. I look like an absolute mess.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m disappointed, Ms. Hill.” A venomous smile twists his lips. “I thought there was a chance that you’d actually come to your senses, but you haven’t, have you?”
I gulp down the fear. “Wh-what do you mean?”
He casts a disdainful glance at my luggage. “You’re leaving.”
“I—”
“Don’t you dare lie to me.” He grabs my jaw, leaning his face close to mine.
I shut my eyes, tears filling them. I tried. I really tried, but he found out anyway.
“How?” I breathe.
“How did I know?” He barks a laugh. “It was the way you looked at me before you left. I could see it in your eyes. The wheels turning.” His thumb rolls over my lips. “You have two options now, little serpent. Fall in line, or bite back. I suggest you choose wisely.”
“I…I don’t understand.” My heart pounds.
Even in the dark, I don’t miss the way his eyes flash. “We’re getting married, Elara. Either you agree willingly or I make you.”
I shake my head, fear clawing at my chest. “Please don’t do this.”
He shrugs. “Yet here we are. So tell me, what will it be?”
My eyes scan the place. Maybe I can run. Maybe I can hit him and get away from the back door. But where will I go with nothing except my clothes?
He gets to his feet, turning on my bedside lamp.
Before I can think, I grab my phone and jump off the other side of the bed, running out as his growl echoes through the room.
“You really shouldn’t have done that.” His voice thunders behind me as I rush down the stairs toward the back door.
Pushing it open, I run barefoot across the grass, the world silent and dark around me. Only my heartbeats echo. My exhales piercing through the air.
I can get away.
I can hide until someone brings me my stuff. Then I’ll disappear.
I’ll call my forger friend, Derek, to set me up with a new identity. Tynan is resourceful, a lot smarter than Jerry was. I’ll be more careful this time.
Footfalls crunch behind me, a car roaring to life in the distance.
I’m only fooling myself, aren’t I?
“Fuck!” Something pierces the heel of my foot, and I groan in pain, but I don’t stop.
I can’t stop. I know he’s close behind.
Just keep running.
It’s one thing I know how to do.
I head toward the road I always take my runs on, knowing both sides are covered with woods. Maybe I can find somewhere to hide.
As soon as I make it toward the edge of the road, an arm wraps around me as I fight it. Fight to get away.
But I can’t.
He’s too strong.
“You’re making me do this.” His voice crawls down my body—a silky, yet deadly mix of all my worst nightmares. “I promise to make you happy, Elara.”
Before I can fight any more, he covers my nose and mouth with something.
My vision dims.
Then it all goes dark.