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

The doorbell rings, and my eyes round. The first of the Quinn family have just arrived.

Tynan looks over at me, reaching his hand for mine. “Come on. Don’t be shy now.”

“I’m not shy.” My fingers slip through his, and I grow warm all over. “Just never met a bunch of mobsters before.”

“You met the worst there is.” His mouth twitches. “The rest are not so bad. Except Iseult. She’s…well, an acquired taste.”

“And that’s…”

“My sister. I have two. She’s the older one.”

“Gotcha.”

Hopefully she isn’t as bad as he’s making her sound.

Together we head for the door. When he opens it, I find an older man with Tynan’s eyes and a woman, not much younger, fixing her shoulder-length brown hair.

They both stare at me inquisitively. Did he not tell them who I am? Oh my God…

“Come in.” Tynan moves aside to let them in before he shuts the door. “Let me introduce you to my wife, Elara.”

I think their eyes are about to fall out of their sockets. Don’t blame them. Who doesn’t tell his family he got married?

Oh, right.

A man who forced a woman to do it.

In the middle of the night.

In a pair of sweats and messy hair.

The only thing we were missing was a photographer to capture the lovely moment.

“Elara, this is my father, Patrick, and his wife, Fernanda.”

His wife.

So that’s not his mother. I wonder where his mom is…

“Wife? You two got married? Without us?” His dad can’t seem to erase the shock on his face. “You must excuse me.” He coughs a laugh, his Irish accent hard to miss. “My son doesn’t tell his old man anything. Feels like I just saw him, and he didn’t tell me at all about his plans.”

“It happened quickly,” Tynan mutters, clearly wanting this conversation to end. “We didn’t have time to invite anyone.”

Fernanda’s shrewd, dark eyes connect with mine. I force a smile, hoping she believes this is real. Or doesn’t assume I’m pregnant or something.

“Well, congratulations, son.” Patrick palms his shoulder before he and Fernanda both hug me, congratulating me too.

“So, how long have you two known each other?” Fernanda asks, looking between us.

Crap. Crap. Think!

“Umm…” I peek at Tynan for help, expanding my eyes a bit so he gets the hint. “How long would you say, honey?”

I hook my arm through his, tugging him to me, grinning at him like a complete idiot. A completely in love idiot. Or that’s the story we’re selling.

“Give or take, three weeks, right?” A slow smirk spreads across his face as he gazes at me. “I guess when you know, you know.”

His father chuckles. “That’s right, son. I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses. Time was ticking.”

Right. He needed this to secure his position, so of course his father is pleased. I’m sure he doesn’t care how Tynan found me as long as he did.

“How did you two meet?” He raises his brows, shooting us both with a confrontational stare.

“Um…” I don’t know if I’m allowed to tell them who I am or how I knew Tynan before he stuck a ring on my finger.

“She’s Brody’s teacher.”

“Wow!” Fernanda looks over at her husband. “How crazy is that? Right, Pat?”

“Well, I definitely never expected that.” He takes my hand in both of his. “But I’ve heard about you through my other boys, and I know how good you are to our Brody. I’m thankful that he has you.”

My cheeks heat up. “I adore Brody. He’s just so easy to love.”

His mouth quirks, his gaze filling with affection before he’s peering at his son. “She’s a keeper.” He gestures to me with a tilt of his head.

“Yeah…” He kisses my temple. “It’s why I married her.”

“Aww, this is so beautiful.” Fernanda pats under her eyes. “You remember us like this back then, Pat? How in love we were?”

He wraps her in his arms and gazes deep into her eyes. “And how in love we still are, lass.”

My heart melts at the sight of them. There’s clearly history here I don’t know.

Tynan releases a dramatic exhale, causing me to laugh.

“Stop it.” I swat his chest. “They’re cute.”

“See, son? We’re cute. Listen to your lady.” He tugs Fernanda to his side and kisses her temple, just like Tynan did to me.

And it wasn’t the first time either. I remember he kissed me that way when he was intimidating Vincent at my school. Is that where he learned it? From his father?

I hold him just a bit tighter, causing him to look down at me with a puzzled expression.

“So, lovebirds, will there be a wedding?” Fernanda asks.

“Only if that’s what Elara wants.” Tynan’s eyes go to mine, and images of me in a white dress, him in a tux waiting for me at the altar, make my pulse quicken.

But I can’t. It would be another sham.

“I’m not much of a wedding girl.” I grimace. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh.” Fernanda almost pouts. “That’s okay.”

“You have to excuse my beautiful wife,” Patrick says. “She loves a good party.”

“Can you blame me? There’s just something so beautiful about weddings…” She sighs. “If you change your mind, please let me know. I would be happy to plan it all.”

“Thank you, we will.” I smile politely, feeling bad about disappointing her.

I like them. They seem normal. Definitely don’t give me the “we’re in the Mafia” vibes. Then again, you never really know anyone.

The doorbell rings again.

“We’ll go inside while you two greet everyone,” Patrick says, taking Fernanda with him.

This time, when Tynan opens the door, there are four people I’ve never seen before.

A beautiful, tall redhead is holding a cactus, smirking at Tynan, while beside her stands an even taller man with dark eyes and even darker hair. He looks a lot like Fernanda…

Could it be?

“I’m Gio Marino, and this is Iseult, my absolutely beautiful wife.”

She rolls her eyes and elbows him, strutting past us. Everyone follows her before Tynan shuts the door.

“Shouldn’t I be introducing us since this is my family?” She twists her face at him playfully before zeroing her attention on me while shoving the cactus at Tynan.

He takes it with a scowl.

She stretches her hand for mine. “Hey. I’m Tynan’s sister, and this is my insufferable husband.”

I laugh at their exchange, shaking both their hands.

“This is my other sister, Eriu, and her husband, Devlin.” Tynan finally introduces the other couple.

“Nice to meet you guys. I’m Elara.”

“Really happy to meet you.” Devlin nods in greeting.

“We both are.” Eriu grins, her irises just as green as her brother’s.

There’s an obvious age difference between her and Devlin. She’s much younger, while Devlin is definitely around Tynan’s age. I wonder if she was forced too. But from the way her face glows, I’d say she’s very much in love.

Jealous.

“I really never thought my brother would get married. Right, Devlin?” She gazes up at her husband.

“That’s right, mo stoirín. Guess he proved us wrong.” He hides his smirk when he catches Tynan’s irate gaze.

“Maybe it was a big mistake having you all here for dinner.”

Iseult pats his back. “There, there, brother.”

He shoves her hand away, causing her to chuckle. “Why the hell did you bring me a cactus?”

“Oh…” Her lips tilt up. “That’s your wedding present.”

“That’s sweet,” I offer.

“She’s never sweet.” Tynan glares at her.

“Well…” She tilts her chin. “On the way here, Eriu told me that just the other day you said, and I quote, ‘I’d rather suck on a cactus than get married.’ Well, here you are. Enjoy it.”

She winks while he shakes his head with complete irritation.

“You did not say that!” I stare at him with my mouth wide open. “And here I thought you were in love with me the moment you met me. I may have to file for an annulment now.” I feign being insulted, and Gio chuckles.

Tynan, though? He’s not laughing. In fact, he looks like he’s about ready to kill us all for torturing him. He deserves it, though.

Before we can torture him some more, the bell rings again. Tynan practically runs to open it, causing me and Iseult to fall in a fit of laughter.

She moves over to me, whispering, “I enjoy torturing him.”

I stare at his ass as he opens the door. “I think I’m gonna enjoy torturing him too.”

“Oh, we’re gonna get along so well.”

“I think you’re right.” My mouth curls as I glance at her before heading toward Tynan, finding Gran there with Fionn and Cillian.

Though I have met his two brothers when they stood as witnesses at our ceremony, I don’t exactly know them at all.

“Elara, sweetheart!” Gran gives me a big hug, whispering in my ear. “Is that a ring on your finger?”

“Yes?”

“Oh my goodness!” she exclaims. “Congratulations, you two!” She hugs me tightly before embracing Tynan. “You take care of my girl, you hear? She’s special.”

“I will.” He nods. “I promise.”

Her eyes fill with moisture. “Such great news!”

The rest of the family greet her before Tynan says, “How about we head to the dining room? Dad and Fernanda are already there.”

We shuffle after one another while Gran slides her arm through mine, both of us the last to go.

“You were smart to marry him.” She glances around the foyer, beautiful paintings of mountains and nature on both sides.

“If you say so.” When my eyes wander toward the far left corner, something magnificent catches my eye.

A large vase with red poppies stands at the center of a side table.

I stare at it, my heart filling with so many emotions, I can’t contain it.

“Weren’t those your mom’s favorite?” Gran whispers.

“They were.” I sniffle.

He must’ve had them put here today. My heart warms at the care and thought he put into this. It may seem simple, but it means so much to me.

“Isn’t that sweet? I knew he’d take care of you. I knew it from the moment I met him.”

My lashes flutter as a smile stretches to my face. “I’m sorry I couldn’t invite you to the ceremony. It was sudden and it was just us.”

She throws a dismissive hand in the air. “As long as you’re happy and he’s good to you, then I’m happy.”

I hate keeping things from Gran. I want to tell her the whole truth of how I really got married. But telling her wouldn’t help matters. It would just make her worry that he’s going to be cruel. Yet so far he’s been…well, good to me.

“Would you look at the size of this place?” she gushes. “You did well, Elara.”

“Gran. Hush. I’m not like that.”

“I know you’re not, but I am.” She winks. “You needed a win in your life, and whatever the case may be, he’s your husband now.”

“I’m just scared that the people who hurt Dad will come after Brody or Tynan.”

She squeezes my fingers. “Tynan is a big boy. They don’t stand a chance against him. I wouldn’t worry, sweetheart. Now let’s go and have fun. I want to get to know your new family!”

I groan. “Please don’t say anything embarrassing.”

She tips up her chin. “I would never.”

Minutes later, and she’s already chatting up Fionn, telling him her latest raunchy joke.

As I watch them, my arms suddenly start to prickle, every molecule in my body lighting up. I can sense him drawing near, and I don’t even have to look to know he’s standing right behind me.

It’s like my body has made him its home and I’m just playing catch-up.

“Your grandma seems like she fits right in,” Tynan whispers into my ear, stroking my arms with his palms.

“It sure seems that way.”

He circles his arms around me and pins my back to his front while we watch everyone.

I glance over at Brody, sitting on the sofa with a book in hand, completely enthralled. I love that he gets lost in his books. Reminds me of myself when I was a child. Getting so drawn into the world, I’d lose all track of time until Mom would be telling me to turn my lamp off or I’d never wake up for school.

The thought of Mom instantly takes me back to the day I found her dead. My heart starts to race.

I can’t let this touch Brody. I can’t let anyone in this family get hurt because of me. I know for people like them, danger is probably at every corner, but I can’t add my own to it. That wouldn’t be right.

Jerry and his family are vicious. They would kill Brody. They have killed children before just to get to their parents. The thought makes my stomach turn.

I want to tell Tynan everything in hopes he’ll let me leave. But I know to him, it won’t matter. He won’t let me go. He’ll want to fight Jerry. Then what? Brody loses the only parent figure he has left?

Iseult catches my eye, saying something to Eriu before she separates from her little sister and heads our way.

“So…” She pops a hand on her hip. “I hope my brother has been treating you well…considering.” She gives him a stern look that could cut glass.

I choke on my words, unsure how to answer that. Does she know he forced me? She must.

He groans and tugs an arm around my hips, bringing me to his side. “Treating her just fine, see?”

“Right. Well…” She leans in toward me. “If he requires a good kick in the ass, just call me. I always beat him in a fight.”

Her wink makes him grunt in irritation. The sibling bickering is kinda cute. They’re obviously close and she likes getting under his skin, which doesn’t seem all that hard.

“We’re happy to have you in the family.” She definitely seems sincere, and it makes me feel just a bit better about being here.

I don’t know, maybe because I don’t have much family left and he’s got a lot of that, I kinda wish they really were my family.

“Thank you,” I tell her.

From behind her, I find Gio talking to Patrick before he slaps a hand on his back, rising to grab his wife around the waist.

She jumps in surprise before a touch of a smile makes it to her lips.

“My God, I love this woman,” he groans, grabbing her jaw and kissing her hard.

“Lord, can you not maul me in public?” She rolls her eyes, but her mouth curls just a little.

He adjusts his tie and releases a weighty exhale, his dark eyes locked on his wife. “She likes to pretend she doesn’t like me when others are around because she knows how much it turns me on.”

“Gio!” She smacks him on the chest. “I’m sorry about him.” She stares at the ceiling, shaking her head for a moment. “Every time I think I can take him out in public, he reminds me I can’t.” She narrows her eyes at him and tugs his wrist. “Come on, let’s go before you say anything else obnoxious.”

As they walk away, I whisper to Tynan, “Your sister seems nicer than you described.”

“Yeah, she is. When she’s not killing a man.”

“Oh…” My eyes gape as she continues strutting away.

Of course she kills people for a living.

Eriu and Devlin move toward us. Devlin chuckles, slapping a hand on Tynan’s back.

“So, how long until you owe me that million?”

Tynan suddenly fuses his gaze to mine, and my body shivers from the intensity.

But then he sharply turns back to Devlin, leaving me wondering what that look was about or what they’re even discussing.

“Just shut up,” he tells Devlin, who laughs in response.

“I find it funny that you think you have a choice.”

Tynan visibly grows tense, so I decide to change the subject.

“So, Eriu, how did you and Devlin meet?” I’m actually genuinely curious.

She stares up at her husband. “Well, he used to be my bodyguard.”

“Oh.” I can’t hide the shock on my face.

“Aye.” He rounds an arm around her and pulls her in, kissing the top of her head. “She had a little crush on me.”

“And by little, he means so big I wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“It’s what I needed.” His eyes go to hers, and they’re full of love. He tilts her chin up with a finger and kisses her.

Just then, Patrick clanks his glass, silencing the room as everyone’s attention goes to him. “I’m so happy to have all my children here. And I’m especially happy that Tynan finally decided to settle down with such a lovely woman.”

Everyone claps, and my whole face flushes.

“You’ve got your work cut out for ya, darling,” Patrick says. “But don’t worry, you’ve got all of us on your side. So if he needs a good kick in the arse, you just tell us.”

“I already told her that.” Iseult looks proud of herself.

Tynan lets out a groan, and I can’t help finding it all amusing. They seem like a normal family. Not at all who they actually are.

Though, as we know, looks can be deceiving.