Brutal Savage Bonus Content

EPILOGUE

ELARA

EIGHT MONTHS LATER

“Tynan, you know I love you but I’m pregnant, not injured.” He tightens his grip around me, holding me against his chest as he carries me through the door of our home.

In one hand, he holds on to bags of groceries and I’m not sure how he can handle that much weight on his poor arms.

Brody laughs as he gazes up, carrying one of the grocery bags. It still amazes me that he talks and laughs. I don’t take it for granted one bit.

“I know,” Tynan says, “but you’re nine months pregnant, mo gra, and your feet swell when you walk.”

My face warms at the adoring way he says that, the way he looks at me. It still makes my stomach flip.

He’s not wrong, my feet have been killing me. It’s nice to have someone take care of me the way he has. Doting on me and the baby any chance he gets. It’s sweet, really.

“I love you.” My lips press into his and his eyes shut, a smile forming.

“Hearing you say that still makes me insane.” He kisses my temple before lowering me onto the sofa, opening the recliner so I can rest my legs. “You stay here while Brody and I cook.”

We’re supposed to have the Quinns over in a few hours for family dinner and I’m excited to see them all. They usually rotate, who hosts dinners every month, and this month is our turn.

“Are you sure you guys don’t want my help?”

“Nope,” Brody says, popping his chin. “We can do it.”

Tynan throws an arm over his shoulders. “That’s right. You stay here and look pretty and let the boys take care of dinner.”

I let out a sigh, my heart swelling. It’s hard to contain my love for them. These months have been everything I could’ve dreamed of.

My pregnancy was rough at first, lots of morning sickness, and that had Tynan worrying. I swear I’ve never seen a man that scared in my life. Even the doctor telling him that it was normal didn’t quell his nerves.

I can just imagine how worried he’ll become every time the baby has a sniffle.

Brody has been excited for the baby too. He keeps picking out books he’s going to read to her.

My hands cup my protruding belly, tears growing in my eyes.

Can’t wait to meet you, Adora.

Tynan’s gaze seizes the thrumming muscle in my chest, a smirk growing on my face. Because I know he feels it too, the magic in the air.

Brody settles beside me, hugging my midsection and lowering his face against it. “Will the baby be my sister?” he asks.

Tynan quirks a brow at me and I fight a grin. Brody hasn’t brought this up yet. But we want him to be comfortable with whatever he chooses. This has never been about us.

“If you want her to be.” I stroke his hair as he sighs.

“I do. I want her to be my sister.”

As though my heart didn’t already burst, he has to go on and say that. “Then that’s what she will be.” My arms squeeze him tighter.

“Does that mean…” His words are lost in thought, and my eyes grow as I stare up at Tynan, wondering if maybe he’s trying to say what I’ve been dying to hear.

“What is it, bud?” Tynan asks, settling beside him.

Brody sits up straighter, his vision bouncing between us. “Well, if Adora is gonna be my sister, does that mean you guys will be my Mom and Dad?”

Emotions stitch up my throat. “We’ll be whatever you want us to be, Brody.”

From behind him, Tynan grabs my hand and holds it tight.

“I think I want that.” Brody’s little mouth twists. “I don’t think mommy and daddy would be upset.”

Oh my goodness, is that what he’s been thinking? I can’t imagine them ever being upset at him for that.

“Of course they wouldn’t be.” Tynan grasps the back of his head, his gaze intense as he goes on. “Your mother and father only want to see you happy and so do we. Elara and I both love you like you’re our son, and that will never change, no matter what.”

That has his gaze glistening. “Okay…Dad.”

Tynan visibly swallows and tears continue to fill my eyes. It’s then Brody turns to me, his arms hugging me tightly. “I love you, Mom.”

I choke on a silent sob, unable to contain how full my heart is in this moment. “I love you too, sweetheart. Always will.”

We stay that way for a while, this beautiful little family we’ve created. Hearing him calling me Mom, it fulfills me, because he’s always been my son.

I hate that I had to be because he lost his mother, but I’m glad they trusted Tynan with their baby. And I hope wherever she is, Willow’s looking down at us and is filled with happiness too.

“Alright you guys, go do your thing in the kitchen and I’ll put on a movie or something.”

That has Tynan smirking, and my body warms every time he does. “Good. Call us if you need anything.”

“Thanks, babe.” They head into the kitchen leaving me here to do nothing but stare at the TV, unsure what to watch.

Thirty minutes later and I’m bored out of my mind, getting up to wander into the kitchen. They don’t notice me at first, their backs to me as Tynan shows Brody how to cut tomatoes. I love that he can cook. That he will teach Adora how to cook too.

I hold tight to my belly, thinking about my mother and how much I wish she were here to see this. To see me and the child we’ve created. A pang hits my chest and I close my eyes, fighting my aching emotions.

I’d be lying if I said I have forgiven my grandmother for what she’d done. For what she took from me. Maybe one day I will, but that’s not today and that won’t be tomorrow. Quite honestly, it may never happen, and I’m okay with that. I think we put too much into forgiveness, like we need that to move on. But we don’t. Because some things are unforgivable and that’s okay too.

My grandpa still lives with us. He has some good days, but unfortunately, the bad ones outweigh the good. When he has moments of clarity, he remembers me, and I wonder if he remembers what they did to mom. And though it hurts, I can’t stay mad at him for long, not when he’s in such a state.

“I thought I told you to go and rest.” Tynan appears before me as I open my eyes to find him tilting a brow.

“Well…” I throw my arms around his shoulders, leaning my mouth up toward his ear. “I thought it’d be a lot more fun to watch my sexy husband cook instead.”

He growls low, dropping his mouth to my throat, my pulse racing the closer he gets. “Is that, right?” His strong hands grip my ass.

“That’s right.” I go breathless, his body pressed to mine.

“You’re not supposed to make me hard right now, wife.”

“I’m sorry?” My lips stroke his while Brody continues to cut tomatoes.

“Don’t be. Just means I get to punish you later.”

“Good,” I whisper. “Make sure you punish me extra hard because I need this baby out of me.”

He chuckles, all hoarse and croaky. “My pleasure, Mrs. Quinn.” His palm lands on my stomach. “I love you both so damn much.”

“She’s gonna love her daddy.”

He runs a hand down his face and laughs. “Still can’t believe I’m having a girl.”

“You’ll be amazing.”

“I hope so, mo chuisle.” His eyes bore into mine, his mouth growing closer until he lays claim to mine, kissing me with undulated passion and yearning.

“Eww!” Brody says. “Less kissing, more cooking.”

We both burst with laughter, staring into each other’s eyes, realizing how lucky we are to have this life. To have each other.

And knowing that each day isn’t guaranteed, makes me cherish every moment we have like it’s the last.

“Go on,” I tell him. “Our son needs you.”

He cups my face, his eyes never leaving mine until he kisses me once more and I hold on to him just a little tighter, like I never want to let go.