Chapter 24

SCARLET

24

The feeling of my heart being ripped from my chest, a pain so raw and consuming that it felt as though my very soul was being shredded was something I'd never hoped to experience. The walls of that dingy room seemed to close in on me as I watched, helpless, as the man who'd defiled me in more ways than one, loomed over the makeshift cradle, his face twisted with the same cruelty that he'd brought upon me countless times. The cradle, a basket on a handled desk chair, firmly in place with a belt, was all I could put together for the sweet little baby huddled in the blankets within.

My baby girl, just a week old, let out a feeble wail, her tiny fists clenching as if she knew something was terribly wrong. I had named her Lily, for the flowers that bloomed in the face of adversity, a symbol of hope and resilience. Maybe it was my angsty teen heart and love of poetry, but it had suited the little girl I'd birthed at barely seventeen years of age. We were both prisoners here, but she was my light now, my reason to keep going on, to hope for escape when I had the chance. The one thing that kept me strong as soon as I'd learned I was pregnant.

Too bad there was no hope in this room, only the suffocating weight of despair.

He was yelling at me, his words a vicious torrent of hatred and accusation. "You're worthless!" he screamed, his spittle flying as he ranted about my unwillingness to submit to his vile demands. "You're nothing, just a stupid girl with nothing! What do you mean you're still recovering? You never should have had that damn thing in the first place!" He scowled down at my baby—our baby—like she was nothing but an object in his way.

My voice cracked as I begged and pleaded for mercy, but he shoved me aside.

I lunged at him, my body fueled by a desperate love that transcended fear. But he was stronger, his fist a brutal force that sent me sprawling, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth as my head struck the edge of the wooden dresser.

Lily's cries grew louder, a piercing wail that tore through the room as I lay beaten and broken on the floor. I reached out for her, my fingers grasping at the emptiness between us, but it was futile.

My vision swam, but through the haze, I could see the pillow in his hands, muffling my daughter's cries until they were nothing more than a heart-wrenching silence.

I screamed until my voice was hoarse, a primal sound that echoed off the walls. But it was useless. My body was broken, my spirit shattered, and I lay there, on the cold, hard floor, the silence deafening.

The man turned away from the cradle, his eyes devoid of any semblance of humanity. He looked at me with contempt, a predator done with his prey. "You're both better off dead," he sneered, before stepping over my crumpled form and walking out the door, leaving me alone with the silence that was once my daughter's life.

I shot awake, gasping in ragged breaths as the scene danced behind my eyes like a sadistic movie. The memories of that day clawed at my sanity like a caged animal desperate for escape, the memory haunting me from the shadows of my mind, reminding me of the moment my world shattered, something I tried to block out, to run from.

It was the day a part of me died, the day the fabric of my being was torn apart, never to be fully mended. But it was also the day I learned the true meaning of survival, the day I vowed to never be a victim again.

And yet here I was, a prisoner in a gilded cage.

I'd run from the man who had destroyed my world, and I'd never looked back. I'd taken my mother's maiden name and disappeared, fleeing my past with Naomi, the pair of us seeking new lives, free from the hells we'd endured. But out running that kind of pain that split your world in two; it wasn't possible.

I stilled as I realized someone was stroking my hair as I lay curled up, the warmth of their lap beneath my head.

I let out a shaky breath and looked up at Julian, who frowned down at me with a perplexed, oddly soft look. My heart raced as I tried to steady my breathing, the nightmare still fresh and haunting as those dark eyes scanned my face.

"What was your nightmare about?" he asked, his brow furrowed as he continued to stroke my hair in such a strange, tender way. As if we weren't captor and captive.

I shook my head, unable to find my voice. The last thing I wanted was to recount that horrific memory, to give life to that god awful memory that plagued the darkest corners of my mind. "I don't want to talk about it," I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Julian's jaw ticked as he studied me intently. "Tell me," he stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I arched up at his commanding tone, sitting upright and moving away from his lap. "Is that another order?"

He shook his head and rose from the couch, scooping up Kenny with a heavy sigh. "I want some dessert," he said flatly, heading for the door without another word.

I went numb as I stared at the floor, the nightmare replaying in my mind like a horrid reminder of the cruelty men were capable of. Lily's horrific cries were burned into my mind as she fought for her life, her tiny form no match for that wicked man. Tears threatened to sting my eyes, but I swallowed, keeping them at bay. I'd cried for her more times than I could count, and it was of no use. It wouldn't bring her back, it wouldn't change a damn thing.

Julian's voice broke through my daze. "You coming?"

I frowned up at him as he fastened Kenny's harness.

"I'm allowed to leave?" I asked, confused by the unexpected offer.

"Not really, not unsupervised," he clarified. "Try anything, and you won't get the chance to leave again. I want ice cream, and I'm worried you might try to hurt yourself if I leave you, so you're coming."

I softened a little at his words, realizing he was trying to do something nice in his own gruff way, without openly admitting it. "Okay," I agreed with a small nod as I rose from the couch and headed over.

"Good." Julian gave a curt nod before yanking off his sweater and tossing it at me. "Here, it's cold out. Wear a sweater."

I frowned at the black sweater in my arms, surprised by his sudden softness.

"It won't bite," he stated when I'd looked at it a second too long. "Now, let's go."

We drove in comfortable silence, the pair of us in the backseat as a driver drove, Kenny cradled in Julian's lap. The little gray tabby seemed completely at ease, purring contentedly as Julian stroked his soft fur.

"Does Kenny come with you a lot?" I asked finally, unable to help the small smile that tugged at my lips as I watched the pair. There was something oddly endearing about seeing Julian with the happy feline. Or maybe I was just happy to be out of that damn apartment finally, although I'd been rushed out and into the car by Julian.

Julian gave a nod. "He comes on some business trips and whatnot. I like getting him out of the house when I can."

I arched a brow at that. "That's...strange. Normally people only really do that with dogs."

He shrugged. "Why should cats be any different?"

"I guess," I murmured as I gazed out the window. The door had child-lock on, no surprise there, but escape wasn't at the forefront of my mind right now. I was halfway through my month already, I could survive to the end and be completely free. Escape would mark me for life, I imagined.

The driver took us to an upscale dessert lounge, the kind of place with plush velvet seating and an almost palpable air of opulence. Julian didn't seem fazed by the lavish setting as he led us to a corner table.

"Order whatever you'd like," he stated, gesturing to the ornate menu.

I settled on a decadent cheesecake sundae, unable to resist the siren call of the gourmet ice cream and toppings. Julian ordered something for himself, along with a small bowl of soft serve for Kenny.

We settled into our seats, and Kenny immediately perked up, his little pink nose twitching as he sniffed at the air. He let out a soft meow, and Julian chuckled.

"Be patient. Your treat is coming," he murmured, giving Kenny's ear an affectionate scratch.

I couldn't help but snort a laugh at the exchange. "You treat him like a child."

"He is my furry child," Julian stated with a wry smirk. His expression sobered then as he met my gaze. "The love from a pet is unconditional. Finding love like that isn't easy in this life. People will stab you in the back easily, for money or whatever else."

I nodded slowly, his words ringing with truth. "You and your brothers seem close though. You all live together."

"We are," he agreed with a nod. "And they're the only people I'd ever trust my life with."

I arched a questioning brow at that. "Even Cristian?"

Julian's face darkened, a knowing glint in his eyes. "You may not understand Cristian, but his loyalty is never something I'd question."

"What about your parents?"

"What about them?" His tone was gruff as he frowned, flicking his gaze to our waitress as she strode our way with the tray of desserts.

"Wouldn't you trust them too?"

Julian shrugged, going quiet as he focused on his own dessert as the waitress set them on the table. Kenny immediately put his front paws on the table, eagerly licking up his soft serve.

I took a bite of my cheesecake sundae, the rich flavors melting on my tongue.

"Don't get brain freeze again," Julian warned as he watched Kenny try to take a chomp out of the soft serve.

I couldn't help but chuckle, which turned into a gasp when Kenny yanked his head back and cried out, shaking his head vigorously.

"I told you, dumbass," Julian muttered, but there was a hint of affection in his tone as he stroked Kenny's back.

Kenny licked his lips, his cry dying off before he dove back into his treat, undeterred by the momentary discomfort.

I watched Kenny with amusement, loving this whole bringing him out places thing. Definitely a new thing in my mind.

I focused on Julian as he enjoyed his dessert, thinking on the way he'd shrugged about his parents. "Are your parents still around?" I asked carefully.

"No."

I waited for him to elaborate, but he remained silent, his gaze focused on his ice-cream. "What happened?" I prodded gently, hoping he might open up.

Julian arched a brow, his gaze meeting mine finally. "We're not friends, pyro. I don't have friends."

I rolled my eyes. "No, I'm your toy, I get that. But some human interaction is nice. This," I gestured between us, "is nice."

"Toy," Julian mumbled as he gave his sundae a strange look.

Did the term sit wrong with him? Did he prefer sex slave? How about living flesh-light?

I sighed as I sat back, knowing the moment of civility between us was gone. As soon as I started asking questions, he and his damn brother had shut me out, returning to their dicky alpha male selves with god complexes.

Shattering glass and thunderous booms of gunshots rang out, decimating the tranquil atmosphere. A scream tore from my lips as the windows near us exploded inward, and I threw my arms up protectively.

Julian lurched across the table without a second's thought, yanking me down to the floor and covering my body with his own. I could feel something furry jammed up against my arm, and it took my frantic mind a moment to register what it was. Kenny was wriggling madly in his harness, pulled tight up against our sides. I hoped he wouldn't claw me in his panic, but my mind was racing, my breaths coming in ragged gasps.

We were getting shot at.

More gunshots sounded off, and Julian pulled out his own weapon from the back of his pants. I hadn't even noticed he was carrying until that moment. I flinched as he popped off a few rounds over the table, his body tense against mine as he leaned up, firing blindly.

Without warning, he yanked me to my feet, his grip on my wrist bruising.

"Take him and run!" He thrust a terrified Kenny into my arms, and I was grateful for the sweater as the cat's claws latched onto the fabric in terror.

"Out the back door, now!" Julian barked, shoving me towards the back of the building as he fired off a few more rounds. I took off, clutching a puffed up Kenny tight, shielding him with my arms.

I sprinted down the hall, Julian cursing as he ran after me. I heard him bark orders into his phone, but they didn't register as I shoved open the back door and spilled into the alleyway.

My heart plummeted at the sight that greeted me, causing me to freeze up and cling to Kenny for dear life. Several armed men waited there with guns raised, and I trembled before them, realizing just how fragile life was in this moment. They didn't look like cops, not in their jeans and leather jackets.

"Drop the gun, Julian!" One man to my left shouted. He was dressed differently than the others, in a stylish suit and polished shoes, like he'd just walked over from a business meeting to start a damn gunfight.

I slid my gaze to Julian, who had drawn up beside me.

"Fuck," he muttered, those dark eyes flicking around wildly, analyzing the situation as he lowered his gun.

Those eyes finally met mine, and I swallowed at the frustration and rage simmering in them.

"On your knees."

I obeyed the order barked at us, nuzzling the top of Kenny's head, feeling his frantic heartbeat against my chest as I held him close. At least he wasn't a writhing, hissing mess in my arms, that was a bonus.

I glanced around, taking note that all their attention seemed to be on Julian rather than me. Those who were looking at me were giving me mildly curious looks.

So Julian was the target here. I was just unlucky.

Of course today was the day I got to leave the goddamn apartment. Luck was never on my side.

"Put them in the car, cops will be here any minute," the suited man snapped.

I exchanged a tense look with Julian as I clutched Kenny close while I was hoisted to my feet by a man that resembled a damn bear with his giant frame and scarred face.

Of course I was going from being the Silvestris' prisoner to being kidnapped by these guys.

So much for thinking I might make it out of this nightmare alive.

What would they do with me? If Julian was who they were after, why the fuck was I being shoved into the back of a sedan?

And why were they restraining Julian and not me? Did they not deem me a threat?

Good, that was good. I could play innocent and naive.

Because I was no longer that seventeen-year-old girl who'd not been able to fight back. I had endured the darkness and emerged on the other side, burning bright and making sure I got stronger, never willing to be stomped down again. I'd burn anyone who tried to snuff out my fire. I was strong, fierce, and unhinged when needed.

I would survive, because that was what I did. I survived, and I fought, and I would find a way out of this mess.