Chapter 24

24

SCARLET

I settled into life with the Silvestri brothers like a ship finding harbor after a storm. The mansion became our sanctuary, a place where love and danger intertwined in ways I never thought possible.

Even Ray and Naomi had visited the place, wowed by my new home. Things were still tense with Ray and my men, but he was coming round, now talking with me on the phone again. He was excited to meet my baby despite its father, whomever it was of the three, and Noms was over the moon. She was preparing to be the best Auntie on the planet, promising to load them up with sweets whenever she visited and then laughing evilly about it. As for Steve, Noms had worked out some kind of arrangement with him, where she lived with him and still worked part-time, something he had accepted. I had a feeling he'd continue working his ass off to make her give up her job completely.

Cristian threw himself into preparing the nursery with a fervor that surprised me. Gone was the man who'd terrorized me; in his place stood someone determined to build a future for our child. We spent hours poring over color swatches and furniture catalogs, his enthusiasm infectious.

"What do you think of this crib, kitten?" Cristian held up a picture of an ornate wooden piece.

I ran my fingers over the image. "It's beautiful, but isn't it a bit... much?"

He grinned, pulling me close. "Nothing's too much for our little one."

The nursery took shape under our hands, a testament to the strange new life we'd built. Soft pastels covered the walls, and plush toys lined shelves that Cristian insisted on installing himself.

One afternoon, as I folded tiny onesies, Cristian burst through the door, his shirt spattered with blood. My heart leapt into my throat, old fears rising.

"Cris, what-"

He crossed the room in two strides, crushing his lips to mine. The metallic tang of blood mixed with his familiar taste as he lifted me onto the changing table.

"Please, I want to be inside you," he growled, tearing at my clothes. "I need to be reminded of the good things."

I should have been repulsed, should have pushed him away. Instead, I found myself wrapping my legs around him, craving his touch as much as he craved mine. We came together in a frenzy of lust and desperation, the nursery bearing silent witness to our twisted union.

Afterward, Cristian cradled me in his arms, his hand splayed protectively over my growing belly. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to scare you."

I traced the lines of his face, seeing the conflict in his eyes. "I'm not scared of you anymore, Cris. I understand... well, maybe not everything, but enough."

He kissed me softly, then led me to the bathroom. As he bathed me, his touch gentle and reverent, I marveled at the duality of the man before me. Killer and protector, monster and lover.

Tyrone and Julian were no less attentive, each showing their care in their own ways. Tyrone insisted on accompanying me to every doctor's appointment, his fierce protectiveness both comforting and overwhelming.

"No one's going to hurt you or the baby," he'd growl, glaring at anyone who dared look our way.

Julian, ever the peacemaker, would often step in to smooth things over. He'd bring me books on pregnancy and child-rearing, always ready with a shoulder to lean on when the hormones got the best of me.

I'd grown accustomed to Tyrone's stress relief methods. When the weight of the family business bore down on him, he'd seek me out, his eyes dark with need. He'd pin me against walls, bend me over furniture, taking what he needed with a desperate intensity that left me breathless.

Today, he cornered me in the kitchen, his large hands gripping my hips as he pushed me against the counter. "I need you, Scarlet," he growled, his voice rough and hungry. "You're mine. Forever."

I didn't resist, letting him hike up my dress and have his way with me right there. The marble was cold against my skin, a stark contrast to Tyrone's burning touch.

He drove into me ruthlessly, taking care with my now protruding belly as I leaned back. There was a wild look in his eye, but I squirmed as his lips claimed mine, swallowing up my moans as my own release neared.

His hand fisted in my hair, pulling back so that he could dive his tongue deeper into my mouth, fucking me with a passion that eased his frustrations.

It didn't take long before I was whimpering and clenching around him, drawing a deep rumble from him as he joined me in climax.

Afterward, he cradled me gently, pressing soft kisses to my neck. "Sorry, sweetheart. I needed you. You okay?"

I nodded, leaning into his embrace. "I'm fine, Ty. You know I can handle it."

He chuckled, reaching into his pocket. "I got you something." A delicate gold bracelet dangled from his fingers, tiny charms catching the light.

I smiled, knowing it was his way of reminding me of his adoration in the moments when he took what he wanted.

"It's beautiful," I breathed as he helped me put it on.

"Just like you," he said as he did up the clasp and pressed his lips to my forehead.

The day of our appointment arrived, and nervous energy thrummed through me as we entered the doctor's office. Dr. Hanson, a kindly older man who'd been caring for me since the pregnancy was confirmed, greeted us warmly.

"Ready to find out, Scarlet?" he asked, prepping the ultrasound machine.

I nodded, squeezing Cristian's hand. The cold gel made me shiver as Dr. Hanson moved the wand over my swollen belly.

"Well, looks like you've got a healthy baby boy in there," Dr. Hanson announced. "I know you also wanted to know who the father was from the genetic testing when you came in. Are you ready?" he asked, the wand freezing over my stomach as my heart skipped a few beats.

"Yes," I breathed, and he nodded and smiled.

"Cristian's the father."

Cristian's face lit up, his grip on my hand tightening. "A boy," he breathed, eyes shining. "My boy."

I turned to him, my lip trembling at the array of emotions in his eyes as Tyrone nodded and Julian slapped him on the back with a grin.

We were having a son. This was our little baby boy.

"It'll be good to finally meet little Xavier," I said slowly, watching Cristian's reaction carefully. He'd told me very little of his best friend who'd died right before he wound up in his coma, but I knew he was important, and it was the name he'd wanted before Tessa had aborted their child. It only seemed fitting now. "Is that name okay?"

His eyes widened, his smile faltering before he nodded, his eyes glittering with unshed tears. It was a sight that made my own eyes water.

"Xavier… It's perfect. Our son," he whispered as he rested his cheek on the top of my head, his voice catching. "Our son."

I let out a choked sound as Dr. Hanson showed me the ultrasound in more depth, speaking with us while my mind reeled.

I was in an odd haze, but thankfully Tyrone was asking questions for me, and before I knew it, we were back in the car and headed home.

The drive was oddly quiet, Cristian lost in thought as he held my hand tight, gazing out the window with an expressionless face. Something had shifted with him as we'd walked out to the car, where he'd looked down at me and his smile had faltered before he'd gone silent.

I didn't press, still caught up in my own emotions.

When I finally settled in the living room, Julian pulled me close, his fingers working through my hair. Tyrone and Cristian had celebrated with a drink of whiskey before they'd both headed off into the house, Tyrone to work, and Cristian to do God-knows-what.

"Braid?" Julian asked softly, a habit he'd picked up during those long nights at the hospital.

I leaned back, letting his gentle touch soothe my nerves as we sat in contemplative silence, his fingers working my hair softly.

The silence between us was comfortable, but I could sense he wanted to say something.

"How are you feeling about it all?" Julian finally asked, his voice soft.

"I'm happy," I replied. Despite the unconventional circumstances, a warmth spread through me at the thought of our growing family.

Julian's hands paused for a moment. "So am I."

I hesitated, then voiced the concern that had been nagging at me since we left the doctor's office. "Cristian seems a bit funny about it."

Julian resumed braiding, his touch soothing. "It's a big thing to learn that you're going to be a parent. He could have a lot of emotions going on given what happened last time."

I nodded, remembering the pain in Cristian's eyes when we'd discussed his past. With Tessa and everything. "Perhaps I should go to him and tell him there's no need to worry. I want this baby as much as he does."

"Maybe that's a good idea," Julian agreed as he finished my braid and outstretched his hand for the scrunchie on my wrist. "I've got a few things I have to do anyway, but find me after if you need to talk or anything." He finalized my braid before kissing my cheek and helping me rise before he headed off.

I pulled out my phone, texting Cristian to ask where he was to save me scouring the entire mansion. His reply came quickly: outside under the oak tree. I headed out, resting one hand on my growing belly as I stepped into the pleasant warmth of the sun's rays.

The oak tree stood majestic against the afternoon sky, its branches spreading wide. As I approached, I saw Cristian sitting in the sunken seating area built there, cushions scattered around him. He was strumming softly on his guitar, an instrument he'd decided to learn for the baby.

I joined him, sinking onto a cushion beside him. Cristian offered me a small smile, but I could see the trouble in his eyes. The music faltered for a moment before he resumed playing, a gentle melody floating on the breeze.

I watched Cristian for a moment, his fingers plucking at the guitar strings. The tension in his shoulders was obvious, and I couldn't stay silent any longer.

"What's going on?" I asked softly.

Cristian's fingers stilled on the strings. "I'm... I'm not sure."

"If you're worried about what happened…" I paused, hating to remind him of his own grief and loss. "I want Xavier just as much as you do. I'm having him no matter what, he's my son."

"That's not it, kitten. I know you're going to be a great mom, that this is what you want," he said gently as he took my hand, staring hard at it as he ran his thumb over my knuckles.

As he looked up at me, I realized it was fear I saw in his eyes. It was an expression I'd rarely seen on his face, and it tugged at my heart.

"Are you scared?" I ventured, reaching out to touch his arm as it dawned on me.

He nodded, swallowing hard as his gaze slipped from mine. He set his guitar down with a heavy sigh and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "What if... what if I'm too broken to be a good enough dad? I don't want our son to end up messed up like me." His voice cracked slightly as he shook his head. "I'm hoping he'll have enough of your traits to be a fierce, powerful man when he's grown. That my brothers will guide him to be the best person possible." He tried to smirk at me, but it was weak and fell just as quickly.

I took a deep breath, considering my words carefully. "Cris, if you're this worried about it, then that's a good thing. It means you care enough to want to do the best by him."

He nodded, relief spreading across his face as he pulled me into his chest and kissed my forehead. "Thank you. I think I needed to hear that. Seeing you looking so bright and happy, it had me worried…"

"There's nothing to worry about. Our son is going to be wonderful, he has three powerful men who would do anything for him, and he has me," I said softly. My men, as fearsome as they were, had been so soft and gentle with me, I knew they'd do the same with our child. I did worry about how they'd be raised in the family business, but I also knew they'd be living a life many could only dream of.

Everything came at a price.

"You're the main one I think that will make him the best person he can be. Us Silvestri men… we're a bit…" he faltered, and I leaned up to kiss him.

"Crazy sometimes?" I finished for him with a cheeky smile.

"Exactly. I still need to show you my tank," he said with a smirk, the Cristian I knew shining back through as I laughed.

"No tanks. We can see it, but our son is not being carted around in that for his one year birthday," I snickered, and he had the audacity to actually pout.

"That'd be a pretty wicked birthday, though, wouldn't it?" he teased as he nuzzled my nose with his.

"One he'd be lucky to remember at that age," I said with a chuckle.

"Thank you. For his name, too. You have no idea…" He sighed, the emotions overwhelming him as he tightened his arms around me.

"I'd like you to tell me more about him, when you're ready," I said softly.

"He was a wonderful man, practically family. He was the son of my father's bodyguard, and he was always there with me. I'll show you some photos of him later, of the things we did. He was the first one who got me out on a jet-ski, and then we sky-dived together, even roped Julian in for that. Fun fact, he hates heights," he said with a wink, and I snorted.

"I'd love that. And we'll make sure Xavier knows who he's named after," I said as I touched my belly, and his hand moved to cover mine.

"I'd destroy the entire world for you and our baby if I had to," he murmured as he rested his forehead on mine and closed his eyes.

"Just be the best version of yourself that you can be," I told him, running my fingers through his hair. "That's all any of us can do. You've changed so much since I fell pregnant. You're a man he'd be proud to call his father."

His eyes opened, those dark depths so soft and tender as he smiled at me.

"Fuck, I love you so goddamn much, Scarlet."