Chapter 19

19

CRISTIAN

I mowed down Russo men like they were nothing, their bodies falling before me as I defended our business. The acrid smell of gunpowder filled my nostrils, mingling with the coppery scent of blood. We lost one of our salesmen, but the rest made it out alive. Shaken, but breathing. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, a familiar rush that both excited and terrified me all at once. Terrified me simply because it wasn't just me in danger now.

A sinking feeling clawed at my gut, urging me to go to Scarlet. My kitten, my sweetheart – the thought of her in danger made my blood run cold. Then Tyrone's call came through, ordering me to her side. She was precious to us now, a woman we'd chosen. We had to protect her at all costs. I could feel the darkness building inside me, threatening to spill over. But for Scarlet, I'd channel it, use it to keep her safe. No one would touch a hair on her head, not while I drew breath.

My driver raced towards the safe-house, the engine roaring like a beast as we sped through the streets. He cursed as we spun the corner into the street, and I saw other cars screeching ahead, pulling into the driveway.

The safehouse.

And they sure as shit weren't our men.

"Fuck," I spat, leaping out and taking cover behind our vehicle.

Gunfire erupted, bullets pinging off metal as we exchanged shots with the Russo men.

I ducked down after another round of shots, yanking my phone out to call for backup, my heart pounding in my chest.

"They're entering the house," my driver shouted over the mess, his voice barely audible above the blasting of gunshots and breaking glass. My blood ran cold, thoughts of Scarlet flashing through my mind. She was in there, and I'd be damned if I let those bastards lay a finger on her.

Red clouded my vision as my muscles twitched, every part of my being preparing for something stupid and reckless. I sucked in a breath and lurched away from my cover, my mind on only one thing.

I charged forward, firing madly, gunning down every Russo in sight. The need to protect Scarlet trumped everything else. I had to hold her, to know she was okay, to shield her with my life as I'd vowed.

She was everything to me now.

"Scarlet!" I yelled, my voice hoarse as the deafening gunfire assaulted my ears.

I burst into the house, my eyes frantically searching.

A moment of relief was granted to me for a second as I saw her running my way with Kenny clutched to her chest.

"Cristian!" she called out, her voice a mix of relief and terror.

I reached for her, my fingers grazing her arm when searing pain flared through my back. Gritting my teeth, I pulled her into my arms, feeling her warmth against me.

"Everything will be okay, kitten," I whispered as I tried to drag us to cover.

Gunfire was raining down on us, and the stupid doorway offered little cover.

I covered her body with my own in the slight cover of the doorframe, knowing trying to lurch further into the house was a surefire way to get shot down right now. The wood splintered around us as bullets tore into it, sending sharp fragments flying. I could feel Scarlet's ragged breathing against my chest, her heart pounding in sync with mine.

"I'm pregnant," Scarlet blurted out, clinging to my shirt with one hand, not caring about the blood splattered all over it. Her fingers twisted in the fabric, knuckles white with fear and desperation while she clung to Kenny's carrier with the other.

I stared down at her, the gunfire becoming muffled as her words registered. The world seemed to slow, the chaos around us fading into a dull roar as my mind struggled to process what she'd just said.

Pregnant.

A whirlwind of emotion rushed through me – joy, fear, love, protectiveness. My heart swelled with a fierce desire to protect her, to shield her and our unborn child from the madness surrounding us. I wanted to laugh, to cry, to scream at the universe for its cruel timing. But before I could respond, more pain sliced through me as I shielded her, staring into those wide eyes, so afraid, not for herself, but for the life growing inside her. I saw a future flash before me – a future I might not live to see. And then darkness swallowed my world, dragging me down into an abyss of uncertainty and unfinished promises.