Chapter 19: Tyrone

19

TYRONE

I had taken Scarlet to one of the most exclusive dress shops in the city, a place where the elite of our city came to adorn themselves in the finest attire. One we owned, obviously. It was a world she didn't feel she belonged to, but by the way she carried herself once done up, you'd think she was born into it. The transformation was remarkable; the way the mahogany red dress clung to her curves, the subtle defiance in her eyes as she modeled each gown for me—it was a sight to behold.

Seeing her done up so elegantly had flicked a switch. Scarlet sure did clean up amazingly well, and she looked like she belonged right at home in our world, a woman of power and class in that stunning dress. I wanted her now, craved her. I could see her pretty little mouth around my cock, and I hadn't been able to hold myself back from ordering her to please me. She'd looked displeased at first, but had obeyed, and then she'd moaned, actually seeming to enjoy it. I couldn't get enough of her. There was just something about this fiery woman that had me entranced, and I wanted to fuck her right there without a care in the world. I owned the place, the ladies wouldn't say a word.

When I'd walked out, they'd looked at me knowingly, but that flicker of fear in their eyes had kept them quiet. One of them had noticed her smeared lipstick and fixed it for her. The saleswoman had averted her gaze, putting blinders on in regards to our sinful deed in the backroom.

I watched her try on a small selection of heels, some silver sparkling ones, white ones, and black ones, her legs looking even more enticing in them. Almost tempting enough that I wanted to take her again, but I fought the urge. Why had she gotten to me so much? Wiggled under my skin and branded herself within me?

"They all look good," she said with a heavy sigh as she inspected her reflection. "What do you think?" She turned to me, a soft furrow to her brow.

To think she was actually asking for my opinion made the corner of my lip quirk. She was a vision, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still as our gazes locked, something fluttering in my chest at the way she waited for my words.

"They're all good. I think we'll take them all," I said, nodding at the saleslady. She bobbed her head and got to work boxing them up and carrying them over to the register to ring them up alongside the dresses.

"Are you sure? It's an expensive haul," she said, her voice dropping low as her gaze followed the woman.

"Money is not an issue. Besides, having you looking ravishing is beneficial to my brothers and me," I stated, and her cheeks reddened slightly, the makeup hiding it for the most part.

Having a gorgeous woman on our arms was always good for our image, but the sight of her right now, the way it made me feel, sat uneasy. Cristian wanted her, he'd made it clear that she was his. But we'd also always shared. She was woven into our lives now because of him and his decision in claiming her. Whether or not it would change things when her term ended, I had no idea. I'd stick to my word and let her leave, but I couldn't vouch for Cristian. Controlling him was like trying to leash a tornado. It wasn't possible, and I'd learned to just guide him and hope for the best.

How would that work out for our little Scarlet?

I sighed as I rested my hand on her lower back and guided her to the register, asking them to pop her shoes in a bag and leave her wearing the sparkling silver heels she had on at the moment. Some diamonds would go well with it considering all she had on was a pair of basic sleeper earrings. But Cristian had made a comment this morning before heading out that he wanted to get her some stuff in that department. He wanted me to handle dressing her up nicely.

Maybe he'd known her pull over me would be too much and I'd break, but I doubted he'd given it that much thought. No, he was too obsessed with her now, watching her sleep, wanting to be around her. Everything had changed in an instant when the Russos had taken her, our entire dynamics shifting and lurching, blossoming into something new. It was something I had to navigate carefully, for she could easily cause damage if we weren't careful.

In more ways than one.

Scarlet looked confused as the saleslady rang it all up and asked how I was paying, not sharing the amount. She knew better considering my company.

"But don't you own this place?" Scarlet asked.

I chuckled at the hint of distress in her eyes despite everything she'd been through. A woman with her background would always worry about money. "Can't just take inventory, baby girl. Gotta keep the books straight."

A small smile touched her lips at the pet name, and my chest tightened at how beautiful she looked, hiding it from me.

Any woman of mine would never have to worry about money.

I banished the unwarranted thought from my mind immediately. She was not mine in that way. More a pet than anything, something I owned until her term was up, to be used how I pleased.

I guided her outside, keeping silent as I contemplated everything.

As we exited the shop, the bell above the door jingling softly, I couldn't shake the nagging sensation that I'd made a grave mistake. The cool air hit my face, having dropped in temperature whilst we'd been inside, carrying with it the scent of impending rain, but it did nothing to clear my troubled thoughts. My fingers instinctively brushed against the chunky gold ring on my middle finger, a habit I'd developed when deep in contemplation. Something about the moment with Scarlet had left me unsettled, my usual calm demeanor slightly shaken. I prided myself on being calculated, on always making the right moves, but this time, I wasn't so sure. The weight of my decision pressed down on me, heavier than the dark clouds gathering overhead. Finishing inside her had been reckless, even with the IUD. I'd never lost control like that before, but I'd been overcome with my need for her, something about her in the moment ensnaring me. She had me sliding down a dangerous slope.

I opened the door for her absently, not noticing her looking at me with a confused expression as she climbed in, and I offloaded the bags to my driver who shoved them in the trunk as I slid into the passenger seat.

I'd known from the start she was going to be trouble. I just hadn't realized how much. Cristian had fallen for her hard, drawn to her fighting spirit like a moth to a flame. It was unsettling to see my wild brother so captivated, so quickly. And after learning she'd already killed to protect her friend, a part of me admired her for it. She wasn't just a survivor; she was a real fighter, someone willing to get her hands dirty for family. That kind of loyalty was rare, dangerous even.

She was like us in that way, and it pulled me in deeper than I'd ever intended to go.

I sighed as my driver slipped into the car and started the engine, Scarlet remaining silent in the backseat to my relief. I didn't need her muddling my mind even more. I looked out the window of the car, watching the city blur by as we returned home. Was I willing to slip under the waves for this fiery little brunette?

I had no fucking idea.