Chapter 24: Scarlet

24

SCARLET

T he faint morning light filtered through the curtains, my body still aching and cramping. I wasn't in my usual bed. I rolled over, finding only Kenny curled up with me, Julian nowhere to be seen. I groaned as I curled in on myself for a moment, my mind replaying the vivid scenes from yesterday.

I had fucked Julian. I had handcuffed him to his bed, straddled him, and taken what I'd wanted right then and there.

What the hell was wrong with me? The lines were blurring, I was losing pieces of myself, pieces that I might never recover.

I'd seized the opportunity to feel powerful, to have some control in this entire crazy scenario. What had I been thinking? Why had I done it?

I wouldn't pretend like I hadn't enjoyed it, but how twisted did that make me?

The brothers, with their good looks and their dangerous lives, had woven a web around me, and I was caught, trapped in the sticky threads of their world. I had fucked Julian, yes, but it was more than that. It was a dance with the devil, a surrender to the darkness that seemed to follow these men like a shadow.

I tried to count the days mentally, of how much time remained that I had agreed to serve. How many days did I have left?

Fuck, was I still even allowed to leave? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I pulled my knees to my chest. Everything had changed now. The dynamic between Julian, Cristian, Tyrone, and me had shifted in ways I couldn't fully comprehend. I was no longer just a captive woman who owed them; I was a part of their world, whether I liked it or not.

I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. For now, all I could do was wait and see, be careful with these brothers. I would play their game, but I would do it on my terms. I would survive, because that's what I did best. I was a fighter, a survivor, and I would claw my way out of this mess, one way or another.

But did I still want to?

"Crap," I mumbled, and Kenny stirred, shuffling closer to get some pets, which I obliged as my mind swam.

Once my cramps had settled, I made my way downstairs, the aroma of fresh coffee drawing me to the kitchen.

I paused, taking in Tyrone's imposing form. He stood with his back to me, broad shoulders stretching the fabric of his crisp white dress shirt. A charcoal gray suit jacket hung over the back of a chair at the table. His slacks were perfectly pressed, breaking just above polished leather shoes that probably cost more than I wanted to imagine.

He turned, as if he felt my presence, his dark eyes meeting mine. "Morning," he said, voice low and smooth. He reached for a mug, filling it with steaming coffee from the fancy machine on the counter.

I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of my disheveled appearance. "Morning," I managed, my voice still rough with sleep. "Any chance I could get some painkillers?"

"Sure." He added some creamer and sugar into the mug before extending it towards me. "Always like it sweetened, right?"

I nodded, surprised he'd taken notice of my coffee routine. When had he done that? Our fingers brushed as I took the cup, and my stomach knotted. "Thanks," I murmured.

I settled onto a stool at the kitchen island, wrapping my hands around the warm mug as he rummaged through another cupboard and slid me a bottle of pills. I mumbled my thanks and took two while he leaned against the counter opposite me, his own mug in hand. The kitchen fell silent save for the quiet hum of the refrigerator and the occasional clink of ceramic on granite.

I sipped my coffee, stealing glances at Tyrone over the rim of my mug. He exuded an air of authority, even in this casual morning setting. The chunky gold ring on his middle finger caught the light as he raised his cup to his lips.

"Things have changed," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Tyrone nodded, his expression unreadable.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the question that had been gnawing at me. "Am I still allowed to leave after my month is up?"

He regarded me coolly. "Those were your terms."

"Really?" I couldn't keep the disbelief from my voice. "You guys won't force me to stay?"

Tyrone studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes boring into mine. "No," he said bluntly .

I scoffed, shaking my head. "I find that hard to believe."

"We keep our word," he replied, his tone even. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "Besides, maybe you won't want to leave."

I stared at him, the words hanging heavy between us as he sipped his coffee.

"What's happening to the Russos?" I asked, my voice steady despite the knots in my stomach.

Tyrone's gaze flickered to me, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "We're handling it," he said simply.

I chewed on my lower lip, the taste of coffee still lingering there. "How?" I pressed.

He sighed, setting his mug down with a soft thud. He leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "You always ask too many questions."

I scowled at this, feeling the familiar sting of frustration. Maybe things hadn't changed all that much. I was still the captive, the outsider in their world, a woman they owned. For now.

He cocked his head at me, his gaze trailing over me. "Why don't you be a good girl and get me off?" he said, catching me completely off guard. His words were a blatant reminder of my place here, that I really just was their plaything despite how things had gone down in that dress shop. It hurt, and I stared at him, hating the way it chewed me up. Why had I let him get under my skin?

"Seriously?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "There will be something in it for you, baby girl," he added, and the pet name sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine. I shouldn't have been affected by it, but I was twisted now, finding some weird delight in it.

"Yeah, like what?" I challenged, my curiosity piqued .

"It's a surprise," Tyrone replied, the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. "You'll find out what it is tomorrow."

Oddly intrigued by the promise of this surprise, I found myself weakening, and I slid off the stool. I circled the island and dropped to my knees in front of him.

"Good girl."

Again, that quiver coursed through me as his fingers deftly unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants, and tugged down the fabric just enough to expose his rock-hard cock.

How was he so turned on right now? Was it reminding me of my place that got him excited? I had no idea.

I took him into my mouth, his sharp intake of breath was audible in the quiet kitchen. His hand found its way into my hair, not pushing but guiding, and I let him set the rhythm, my mind a whirl of thoughts and conflicting emotions.

"You're so beautiful with my dick in your mouth," he groaned, his voice thick with desire. The words were crass, but they held a sincerity that I couldn't ignore.

I swallowed around him, earning a low groan of approval, and continued until he finished, his grip on my hair tightening momentarily before releasing. I swallowed him down, my tongue swiping over the tip of his dick and making him shudder before he pulled free. I rose to my feet, wiping the corners of my mouth with the back of my hand, and met his gaze defiantly.

"Julian will be taking you out to buy some more clothes today," Tyrone said, tucking himself away and zipping up his pants. "Casual day clothes. You've been wearing all of ours, and while you look good, you should have some of your own."

"We're going on another shopping trip?" I asked, surprised by the random outing for me .

"Yes," he confirmed. "You're to get what you want. Cristian will likely join."

The prospect of a day spent shopping with Julian and Cristian was bizarre, to say the least. It was a stark contrast to the violence and intensity that usually characterized my time with the Silvestri brothers. But as I stood there in the kitchen, with Tyrone's dark eyes still trained on me, I realized that nothing with these men was ever straightforward.

Shopping with Julian and Cristian was more fun than I'd expected. I felt like I was in some twisted version of a rom-com, where the protagonist laughs and jokes with her captors-turned-lovers. Kenny was an unexpected chaperone, padding along on his leash or being cradled in Julian's arms like a feline king.

We hit store after store, Julian and Cristian taking turns picking out clothes for me to try on, while I gathered up plenty of things as well.

I stood in the dressing room, surrounded by a mountain of clothes. The absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on me - here I was, trying on outfits like some pampered princess, with two dangerous criminals as my personal shoppers. How the hell had I wound up here?

"No, no, the emerald green brings out her eyes," Julian insisted from outside the curtain.

Cristian scoffed. "Are you blind? The deep burgundy complements her skin tone better."

I couldn't help but chuckle as I slipped on a silky blouse in the disputed emerald shade. Their bickering was so... normal. The pair arguing over fashion had me chuckling. Since when were they experts? The normalcy of it all was almost more unsettling than their usual dangerous behavior.

"Pyro, come out and show us," Julian called, and I stiffened at the nickname being used in a public setting.

I stepped out, twirling once for their inspection. Kenny, sprawled across Julian's lap, barely lifted his head to acknowledge me.

Cristian's eyes narrowed. "It's not bad, but..."

"But nothing," Julian interrupted. "Look how it makes her eyes pop."

"Her eyes pop in everything," Cristian retorted. "But that shade washes her out. Try the burgundy, kitten."

I rolled my eyes but complied, ducking back behind the curtain. As I changed, their debate continued.

"You have no sense of color theory," Julian muttered.

"And you have no sense, period," Cristian shot back.

I emerged in the burgundy casual dress, and both men fell silent. Even Kenny perked up, his tail swishing with interest.

"Well?" I asked, spreading my arms.

Cristian smirked triumphantly. "See? Perfection."

Julian grudgingly nodded. "It does suit her."

I caught sight of myself in the mirror and had to agree - the color did suit me more than the emerald.

As Julian and Cristian launched into another debate about accessories, I found myself laughing again, the sound echoing off the boutique's walls.

We moved onto another store, and they plucked clothing from the racks, carrying armfuls to the fitting room for me to try on, like I was some dress-up barbie of theirs. Not that I was hating it all that much. It was rather nice having them pick out clothing for me, giving me their input. It almost made all the tension and the whole situation surrounding us fade away .

"How's it looking?" Julian asked as he pulled the curtain, and I hugged my body, having been mid-changing.

"You can't just open the curtain here," I hissed.

"Sure I can, we own this one, and Cristian has paid them to close up front for a short break," he said as he stepped in with me.

"What? Why?" I frowned, but then the realization hit as his eyes rolled over me. He moved closer, trailing one hand down my arm, the skin prickling in its wake. He leaned in, kissing my shoulder, and I quivered as he littered more kisses on my neck.

"I think we need to have a little fun." He kissed my jaw and then the edge of my lips. "Don't worry about bleeding on anything, we'll get it sorted," he added as I went to object, as if he'd read my mind.

Not that I had been bleeding all that much today. Which was odd considering how the cramps had lingered.

His lips found mine once more, and it wasn't long before Cristian joined us, the small space becoming a playground for their desires and mine, a wild and reckless abandonment of every rule I'd ever known.

Julian and I broke apart, and Cristian caught my wrist, twirling me to face him.

His fingers trailed along my jawline before tilting my chin up. "Do you know how beautiful you are, kitten?" His voice was a low growl, and my breath caught at the desire burning bright in his eyes.

Julian was behind me, his hands skimming over my hips, pulling me back against him in the small space. His lips found the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder, and I couldn't help but let out a soft moan .

"She's perfect," Julian murmured against my skin, his fingers deftly unzipping the back of the dress I'd been trying on.

Cristian watched his brother strip me with a hunger in his eyes that matched the fire building within me. My heart thrummed with anticipation as the dress pooled at my feet, leaving me in nothing but my underwear. Julian's hands roamed freely over my now bare skin, his touch igniting a trail of heat wherever it went.

"We're going to take such good care of you, kitten," Cristian said, his voice a low purr as he captured my lips in a searing kiss.

Julian's hands found the clasp of my bra, unhooking it with practiced ease, before he cupped my breasts from behind, his fingers teasing my nipples. I arched into his touch, my head falling back against his shoulder as Cristian's mouth moved lower, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses along my throat.

The pair of them undressed while kissing my body, twirling me between them as they shed each item of clothing.

Cristian sat down on the offered stool in the room, a place that I'd normally rest my handbag, his eyes trailing over me. He pulled me onto his lap, his erection pressing against the thin fabric of my panties. Julian knelt on the floor before us, his hands skimming up my thighs, pushing the panties aside.

"Poor little pyro, bleeding for us," he said with a cluck before sliding my panties down my legs and tossing them aside.

Cristian's hand fisted in my hair, angling my head to deepen the kiss as Julian's fingers explored my folds, slipping inside me with ease, unfazed by my bleeding. A moan escaped me, swallowed by Cristian's insistent mouth.

Julian's fingers curled, stroking that sweet spot as I quivered on Cristian's lap. Cristian's hands roamed my body, tweaking my nipples and rolling them between his fingers. He kissed and nipped at my neck as Julian continued his teasing, my legs trembling.

"Look at you, aren't you a mess?" Julian chuckled as he kissed my thighs.

"So beautiful today, trying on all our finds," Cristian added, his lips dancing over my neck.

The sound of their low, husky voices, the rasp of stubble against my skin, the Julian's fingers stroking me—it all combined to send me spiraling toward the edge.

"Please," I begged, not even sure what I was asking for, only that I needed more.

Julian pulled back, grinning at me in a way that made my heart flutter, and I gasped as Cristian positioned himself at my entrance, his cock nudging against my folds. I sank down onto him with a soft moan, praying no one else was in here. I'd almost forgotten where we were, but I had to assume Cristian had made sure we wouldn't be disturbed.

As Cristian began to thrust up into me, Julian stood and moved to stand before us. I took him in my hand, stroking him firmly as he leaned over so I could kiss him.

"That's right, kitten, let us fill you up," Cristian groaned as his fingers dug into my hips, driving me down onto his length with force. One hand slid up around my neck, cutting off my air as Julian pulled away.

Cristian rose with me, guising me up by my throat, and then he bent me over. Julian guided himself into my mouth as Cristian's hands settled on my hips, bouncing me on his dick as I struggled to keep my balance. I chose to rest my hands on Julian's thighs as I danced my tongue over his dick, enjoying his sharp intake of air.

"Fuck, pyro." His voice was raspy as his hand fisted in my hair, and they found their rhythm, rocking me between them as they had their way with me right there.

I was impaled on Cristian's cock, Julian's thickness filling my mouth. It was raw and animalistic, and it felt both wrong and so damn right.

The world narrowed to the three of us, the push and pull of pleasure and need. Cristian's hands gripped my hips, setting the pace, as Julian's fingers tightened in my hair, guiding me.

Together, we climbed higher, the tension coiling tighter and tighter within me until it finally snapped, sending wave after wave of pleasure coursing through my body. I cried out around Julian, who followed me over the edge, his own release pulsing on my tongue.

"Fuck yes." Cristian wasn't far behind, his body shuddering behind me as he found his release deep inside me.

I was a mess, my body shaking with the force of our shared climax, the taste of Julian a little extra salty, and he pulled out of my mouth.

Afterward, we cleaned up as best we could, buying some of the clothing and leaving the store, my cheeks burning as the cashier woman watched me intently but didn't say a word. We headed straight for a restroom, where I changed my pad and cleaned up more, my body still humming from the wildness of the encounter. They really were unafraid, towering above all the rules and laws of us civilians.

Then again, I'd been right there with them, taking some wicked pleasure in knowing their power and wealth offered me the same protection in the moment.

I returned to find them waiting for me, and Cristian decided it was time for food, having chosen a burger joint for us to try .

Afterwards, we piled into the back of a sleek black car, laden with shopping bags. I sat between Julian and Cristian, Kenny purring contentedly in Julian's lap. The laughter and lightness of the day still lingered in the air, and I relaxed between the pair, a contentment settling over me after the day we'd had.

Julian's phone buzzed, and he answered, his brow furrowing as he listened to the voice on the other end. "Change of plans," he said to the driver, a curtness creeping into his tone. "There's been a development with the Russos."

Cristian's hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with my own. "Time for them to pay for what they did," he said, his eyes glinting with a dangerous kind of anticipation.

The car sped up, turning away from the route that would have taken us back to their apartment.

My stomach tightened. I knew exactly where this was going. It was blood, retribution, and a grim reminder that beneath the laughter and the shopping sprees, there was a darkness that I was now irrevocably tied to.