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

It’s been a month since Gran’s death, and I’ve slowly come to terms with who she was to me and who she was to everyone else who really knew her.

I don’t think I ever truly did. Didn’t know Grandpa either, I suppose. But I can’t allow those things to eat away at me.

I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive her for Mom or what she did to Tynan. I could’ve forgiven almost anything else, but not that.

She took Mom from me, and she wanted to take Tynan. She knew she’d die for it, but she wanted to make him suffer too. In turn, making me suffer. How do I forgive a woman like that?

Grandpa still lives with us, and I don’t want him to go. I can’t do that to him, not when he’s like this.

Tynan has been amazing through it all, giving me everything I need: someone to listen, someone whose shoulder I can cry on. He’s always there for me.

My throat tightens as I clear it, laying red poppies on my mother’s tombstone while Brody and Tynan wait for me a few feet away. My heart still misses her. Still aches for her. Still wishes she was here to meet my family.

The stabbing pain in my chest will never go away, but I’m at peace now. As much as I can be. Tynan not only killed Jerry and his father, but he found the evidence Jerry held over me and made sure all traces were destroyed.

And as far as who I am—Evelyn or Elara—I’ve decided to keep my name. My new name. I need to stay Elara. Because Evelyn? She was someone else entirely.

“I love you, Mom. I’m sorry. I wish I’d been there to stop him.” I wipe tears from my eyes. “I’ll come back next week. I promise.”

Tynan told me we could fly here whenever I wanted, that I could see her anytime I please, and that gives me some comfort.

With one last look, I turn around to join my husband and my son. Though I don’t ever expect Brody to call me Mom, I will always love him like one.

Tynan and I told him he can call us his aunt and uncle, that we’re both okay with that, and he seemed to like that idea.

“You ready to go home?” Tynan gazes at me through adoring eyes.

“Yeah, I am.”

In these past few weeks, it feels as though I’ve shed a part of me and replaced it with something stronger. That I’m stronger than I ever was before. I hate that it was because of all this tragedy, but if it makes me stronger instead of weaker, I guess that’s all I can ask for.

“I love you,” Tynan whispers, knuckles brushing down my cheek, completely undoing me. “I love you so damn much, and I’m sorry you’re hurting.”

“I love you too, Tynan. But I’m okay now. I swear.”

Brody hugs me tight. “It’s okay to cry. I miss my mommy and daddy all the time.”

His own tears gather, and I kneel before him. “I want you to know you can talk about them any time you feel like it. Because there’s nothing I want more than to get to know the people who made such an amazing little boy.”

He throws his arms around me and sniffles.

As I close my eyes and hold him close to my heart, I make a promise to myself to always love him unconditionally.

Because that’s what love truly is.

TYNAN

Fionn offered to have Brody over for a sleepover at his place so Elara and I have a night to ourselves. He didn’t mind. He’s good with kids. They all seem to gravitate toward him. But I’m still grateful for his help.

I even gave Ruby the day off, and the nurse on duty is in a different wing of the house.

I wanted everything to be perfect and without distraction.

Elara sits at our dining table, votive candles glistening in the center, the room dimly lit as I bring out a tray of saffron rice and curry chicken that I made.

“My God, Tynan, this looks amazing. I can’t get over how well you can cook.”

I smirk, placing the food down before cupping her chin and kissing her softly. She melts into me, moaning into my mouth, her nails raking up the back of my head.

Damn, does that feel good.

My lips stroke hers. “If you keep kissing me like that, we may not get through dinner.”

She peppers kisses across the outline of my jaw. “That’d be a shame.”

I clench my teeth, reluctantly separating from her, needing it all to go as planned. “Let me bring out the rest of the food so we can get to dessert quickly.”

“And by dessert, do you mean…” She pops a mischievous brow.

“No, I actually meant dessert. I made a souffle. But wow, Mrs. Quinn, what a dirty mind you have.”

“I learned from the best.” She tips up her jaw. “Now hurry up…”

Her fingernails roll between her breasts, the slinky black dress she’s wearing so thin and tight, I can make out every line and curve of her body.

My cock strains. Muttering a curse, I hurry off into the kitchen, grabbing the salad and honey-glazed carrots I also prepared.

Except for Iseult and Fionn, we all know how to cook. Those two are hopeless. It’s a good thing for Iseult that Gio knows his way around the kitchen, or they’d be surviving on takeout.

When I’m finally seated and filling her plate, I watch her take the first bite. As she does, her eyes shut and she groans.

“Wow, this chicken is so tender. Please cook for me anytime.”

Her compliment hits me right in the chest. “Always, baby. I love feeding you.”

A grin spreads on her face. And soon after, I’m replacing dinner with dessert while my heart hammers in my chest.

Fuck, why the hell am I so nervous? We’ve done this before.

Not like this, though.

Holding her plate in a tight grasp, I take this moment to stare at her, thankful I have her.

I still can’t get over the fact that she loves me.

I didn’t expect her to say it back. Hell, I thought she’d run when I did. But she hasn’t. She’s still here because she wants to be. And I’ll always be thankful for that.

Shit. I’m gonna have to pay Devlin that million, aren’t I?

I grin.

It’s worth it.

She narrows a curious gaze. “Are you alright?”

Yes. Because of you.

“I love you, Elara.” I tread closer. “I can’t seem to want to stop saying it now.”

She smiles sweetly, tilting her face to the side. “I love you too.”

“That’s good.” I chuckle “Because this would be a bit awkward otherwise.”

Before she can wonder what I mean, I place the plate before her. As I do, I lower to one knee, a small box in my hand.

She gapes at me. Completely in shock.

On the plate, written in chocolate, are the words, Will you marry me again?

May not be original or grand, but I know Elara by now, and she doesn’t need those things. I wanted to do it the right way this time. The way she would remember and tell our children about. The way that I’ll know if she truly loves me.

“Tynan?” Tears fill her eyes. “I—I don’t understand. We—we—we’re already married.”

“I know, but last time you didn’t have a choice. This time, I’m giving you one.”

Her gaze lowers to the ring, similar in design to the original engagement ring I gave her. Slowly, she returns her eyes to mine.

She cups my cheek, and every time she does, her touch… It hits me right in the center of my chest.

“And if I say no?”

My pulse quickens. But when I find the crack of her smile, I know she’s just teasing me.

“Do I really have to answer that, mo ghrá?”

“You know, you never told me what that meant.”

“It means my love, which is what you are.”

“You’re mine too, Tynan.” She leans in to kiss me and my heart swells. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

Her teeth sink around her bottom lip as I hurriedly get this ring out, replacing it with the old, still keeping the wedding band on her hand.

“Wait. Where are you putting my old ring?”

“I was going to put it in the box and give it to you.”

Her face falls.

“What is it, Elara?”

“Is it weird if I wear both? Maybe one on the other hand? I’m kinda sentimental, and this was the first ring you gave me.”

I let out a laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“Here I thought you wouldn’t say yes, and you want to wear both of my rings. I guess I’m just surprised.”

She rises to her feet, leading me up with her. “I know you were a real ass in the beginning⁠—”

“Mm, debatable.”

“Yeah, okay…” She rolls her eyes teasingly. “Anyway, as I was saying, you were a real ass back then, but you’ve kinda grown on me, like a wart you can’t get rid of. So yes, I want to wear both of the rings because you gave them to me.”

“Wow, Mrs. Quinn.” I chuckle. “You’re quite the romantic.”

“I know.” She sticks out her right hand. “Now please give me my ring back.”

“Happily.” I slip it back on her finger and she stares down at both her hands, her face lighting up like the sun at dawn.

My body warms seeing her this happy.

Her arms fall over my shoulders, and she stares up at me.

“I’m gonna marry you all over again.” I tug her chin up between two fingers. “This time in front of everyone.”

“I want that.” Her eyes glisten like two bright stars. “I want to marry you. I want this to be real.”

I drop my lips close to hers, brushing them slowly. “It’s always been real to me, Elara.”

Then I kiss her, unable to stop, because in her arms, I forget the rest of the world.

All I know is her.

ELARA

He lowers me onto our bed, his body crawling over mine, forcing his weight into me. I love the feeling of his muscles, his strength, pinning me to the bed.

His eyes swim with affection, and I take this moment to really look at him, the back of my hand gliding across the stubble of his jaw.

He inhales a breath, his eyes leaden and full of the same desire coursing through me. I’m not sure how we got here—to this place where I’m happy. Where being his wife no longer scares me, but excites me.

I never dreamed I’d actually agree to marry him. But now there’s nothing I want more. It was sweet of him to give me that choice. Though let’s face it. Had I not, he wouldn’t have let me go anyway.

“What’s so funny, mo chuisle?” The back of his hand softly strokes my cheek.

“Just thinking about how insane you are and how I’ll have to put up with it for the rest of my life.”

He chuckles, all gravelly, setting fire to my already scorching limbs.

“That’s right, you will.” His lips feather over mine.

“No one has ever wanted me this badly before.” I kiss him, and he groans.

“And no one ever will.”

He slams his mouth to mine and takes me in a brutal kiss, practically ripping off my dress until we’re both bare and hungry for one another.

His gaze holds mine as our heartbeats thunder, desire burning in our veins. “I’m gonna love you for the rest of my life.”

The promise in his voice, it takes my breath away. And I know he means it. I know with him, I’ve found not only a home, but a forever I can hold on to.

He slides a hand between us, poising his cock at my entrance.

“Show me.” My hand lands across his cheek. “Show me how much you love me.”

In a single thrust, he’s inside me.

Filling me.

Stretching me.

He’s so deep. So damn deep.

But when he starts to move, I come alive, my body and heart both filled with affection. It’s hard to even define what he’s become to me.

He flips me over, taking me with him, until I’m on top, his hand clutching the back of my neck possessively. His eyes swim with aching passion as he bows his hips, forcing his erection deeper.

“I love you so much, Elara.”

He pulls me in, lowering my face to his, and my heart lurches at the suddenness of his mouth on mine.

Taking me with demanding fury.

With forceful dominance.

Our bodies bringing each other pleasure.

I once wanted this so badly. Wanted to be loved. And I swear, I never thought I would ever get here. But Tynan, he proved it was possible. That we’re possible, as crazy as that once seemed to be.

I grab his shoulders, needing to touch him, to feel him everywhere.

There’s no one else in this world who can compete with the feelings he gives me. Like I’m floating.

My husband.

The man who wrecked my life, then built it back up into a world I never dreamed could be mine.

Marriage.

Falling in love.

It once seemed like a fantasy.

I thought I’d be on the run forever. Yet with him, I don’t have to run anymore.

I slow my movements, searching his gaze, and the way I feel for him could move mountains. I never thought I could. Or would.

But falling in love with Tynan was the best thing I’ve ever done.

My soul is forever his. Forever clinging to the hope that nothing can break us.

Nothing can undo what we have.

I welcomed him into my body, but somehow, he stole my heart along the way.