SWNOVELS Brutal Savage: Chapter 19
I hated doing it. I didn’t want it this way, but what did I actually expect? For her to give herself to me without fighting it?
I was fooling myself into believing she would.
I warned her, though.
I gave her the option.
She didn’t take it.
Gently, I lower her onto my bed so I can clean the cut on the sole of her foot. It isn’t deep and should heal quickly. Still, I hate seeing it, knowing she’s hurt because of me.
I pick up her foot and kiss the top of it, watching her face as it lies still on my pillow. “I’ll take care of you from now on. You’ll never have to be scared of anyone again.”
She’s scared of you, especially after today.
I’ll have to change that if I want her to be happy. And she may not believe it, but I do want that.
This is our home. She will have to meet my family. Attend events I’m forced to attend. I can’t let the world think my own wife hates me.
Placing her leg back down on the bed, I head for the bathroom to get something to clean her wound with and wrap it.
Minutes later, it’s clean and covered up as I sit beside her, stroking her cheek, waiting for her to wake up.
Any second now.
“Mm,” she groans, stretching her limbs, her lashes fluttering.
But once her eyes fall on mine, they grow with horror.
“Get away from me!” She recoils, sounding weak from the drugs.
“Welcome home, Ms. Hill.”
“Please!” She shakes her head, pain radiating in her eyes. “Don’t do this to me. I can’t marry you.”
I release a disappointed exhale, reaching into my phone to type something before handing it to her.
“What’s this?” She stares at the number.
Five million.
“The amount you will be paid every year for being my wife. I’ve already set up a bank account for you, and you will get your own card. No one will be able to touch that money. Not even the government.”
She stares at me with tears filling her eyes, and I fight what those tears do to me. The way they undo me.
“You’ll find that I’ve already deposited one million into it to get you started.”
When she glances down at her quivering hands, she gasps. “Oh my God. What the hell is this, Tynan?”
A large solitaire diamond glistens on her finger.
I pick up her hand and kiss the top of it, staring into her wild blue eyes. “It’s your engagement ring. You were asleep when you said yes.”
My mouth spreads into a smirk, but her face only carries disdain.
A tightness hits my chest. “Can you walk? Or should I carry you?”
“Carry me where?” Fresh tears build in her eyes, turning my heart to stone.
“We’re getting married, Elara. Right now.”
“WHAT? You…you can’t do this!” The words tremble out of her. “You won’t get away with it!”
Scooting my arms under her, I lift her up against my chest.
“I already have.” My lips drop to the corner of hers. “’Til death do us part.”
ELARA
I cry at my own wedding.
The priest stares between us, me in Tynan’s arms, him looking as rigid and displeased as ever.
His two brothers, Fionn and Cillian, stand as witnesses, just as cold and unmoving as he is. They don’t say a word. No one does. No one except the priest.
“Uh, are you sure about this?” he asks Tynan, who appears ready to shoot the man to death.
I let out a sniffle, and when he peers down at me, his features soften and he almost appears kind.
What a stupid thought.
The back of his hand softly caresses my cheek, and I hate them. Hate those butterflies that seem to soar every time he touches me. I don’t want them. Not after today.
He stares deeply and his mouth drops to mine as he whispers, “Ná caoin a stór. Tá tú ag briseadh mo chroí.”
Those words pour out of him.
I can feel them, even though I have no clue what they mean. But for some strange reason, they bring me comfort even while every part of me fights what’s happening.
“You speak Gaelic?”
He nods with a tiny hint of a smile. “We all do. Our father has taught us the language, and I’ll teach our child too.”
Child. He wants a child. Oh, God. I forgot.
He wipes my tears away and drops a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry, Elara.” His voice hums across my ear. “Please don’t cry. You’re breaking my heart.”
I didn’t even know he had one.
The tip of my nose stings as I accept my fate.
At least for now.
As I throw my arms around his neck, all the fight in me washes away. I don’t have any strength to fight right now.
His brows gather, intensity flashing through his eyes, like he realizes what that means. That I’m ready.
“Start,” he tells the priest. “And just get to the good part. I want it done.”
The priest nods nervously, holding the Bible tighter in his grasp.
“Repeat after me,” he tells Tynan. “I, Tynan Donal Quinn, take you, Elara Rain Hill, as my wife, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, ’til death do us part.”
I swallow the lump in my throat as I wait for Tynan to recite his portion of the vows. I’m glad he knew to use my new name. I don’t want to give Jerry any chance of finding me.
Tynan repeats the words. Then it’s my turn, swearing to be the wife of a man I don’t want.
The priest finishes off the rest, reciting blessings before he says, “Lord, bless Tynan Donal Quinn and Elara Rain Hill and consecrate their married life.”
One of Tynan’s brothers hands him two rings, and Tynan slips a diamond-encrusted band over my engagement ring and gives the other to me.
“Place it on my finger.” He pushes his hand up from under me so I can slip it on.
“May these rings be a symbol of your faith in each other and a reminder to you of your love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. You may kiss the bride.”
At that, Tynan’s eyes darken, his chest rising with each deep breath. He cups my cheek and stares into my eyes, and it’s like I’m frozen, unable to look away. Not wanting to.
And as he captures my lips and groans, I almost forget I’m supposed to hate him.