"Maybe," I murmured. They certainly lived a lavish life full of luxury, a life many could only dream of.

  "So, excited for your nail day? You'll have to head off soon, we've got a good set of guards for you today," Cristian shifted the subject to my plans for the day.

  Tyrone had booked me a nail day with Noms, wanting me to relax and feel at home with them. I wasn't about to turn down a day with Noms, so I was bubbling with excitement at seeing her again.

  "I'm keen for the high-tea brunch beforehand, hence why I haven't eaten anything yet," I stated, sucking in a breath as he pushed off the counter and closed the gap between us.

  His hands rested on either side of the counter, caging me in as he stared at me with that wicked smirk.

  "Lillian's is known to have quite the high-tea, it's why we chose it. You're going to have a wonderful day, kitten," he said as he reached up to twirl a strand of my hair. "Tonight, you can show me just how sharp your new claws are."

  I swallowed as the heat spread in my core at the thought, and he leaned in to press his lips to mine in a teasing kiss before he yanked away.

  "Now, are you going to get changed? Or do you plan to just wear my brother's clothes?" He arched a brow as he gazed over my attire. I'd spent the night in Julian's bed, and had thrown on some of his clothes this morning after he'd left.

  Sure, I had my own, but who didn't like wearing the comfy, breezy mens clothing when they could?

  "Fine, I'll change," I grumbled as I slid off the counter. I gasped as he slapped my ass on my way out, and I pulled a face over my shoulder, causing him to laugh.

  I could almost forget what he'd done in these moments.

  Almost.

  I lounged in the plush pedicure chair, glancing at my toes as the technician worked her magic. My two guards stood discreetly around the salon, their presence a constant reminder of my new life.

  Noms sat beside me, her eyes wide as she processed everything I'd just told her, flicking them briefly to my guards before settling back on me. "Holy shit, Scar. This is some next-level crazy."

  I chuckled, shaking my head. "Tell me about it. It's insane."

  "So, let me get this straight," Noms said, leaning in closer. "You've got three smoking hot, dangerous-as-fuck mobsters wrapped around your finger? And they're treating you like a queen? After what Cristian did? Hell, he even proposed?!"

  "Pretty much," I admitted as she shook her head in shock. "It's like they're competing to see who can spoil me more."

  Noms burst out laughing, drawing curious glances from the other patrons. "Only you, Scar. Only you could turn a captive situation into... whatever the hell this is."

  I grinned, but then sobered slightly. "It's not all sunshine and roses, though. They're still dangerous men. And they haven't exactly forgotten how to give orders."

  "Oh?" Noms raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Do tell."

  I felt my cheeks heat up. "It's mostly in the bedroom. They can be... demanding."

  Noms snorted, rolling her eyes. "Honey, that's not exactly a hardship. I bet they know exactly what they're doing, too."

  I couldn't help but laugh at her bluntness. "You have no idea."

  "Still, you seemed to forgive Cristian far too easily for what he did," she said softly, those blue eyes concerned as she kept her voice low.

  "I guess I just understand in some way. Got to know him better, found out why he did it. Sure, he went about it all the wrong way, but his intentions weren't bad, I guess," I muttered.

  "Ah yes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions," Noms said with a snort. "You can never fully trust him."

  "He's doing his best to win my trust, to prove himself," I said, unable to keep from defending him. This caused Noms to arch a knowing brow as my stomach flipped.

  "They're not the only ones hooked, are they? As much as you want to hate it all, chaos has been your life, it's where you feel most comfortable. Thanks mommy and daddy for all that trauma," she said sarcastically before inspecting her polished fingernails with a sigh. "I worry about you, Scar. I don't want this going bad for you. You're all I've got, and you deserve good things in life." She focused back on me, the soft furrow in her brow making my chest tighten.

  "I know. But things have changed massively, everything is different," I said as I glanced back down at my toes as the technician worked on them. The massage she'd been doing throughout was relaxing, although it did little to ease the tension from this conversation.

  "Right." Noms pursed her lips, still not sold on the entire thing as she sipped her champagne. I'd been given a mocktail, as was the go these days when the men were involved.

  Couldn't have my potential baby having a messed up brain or something.

  As we fell into silence, I found myself reflecting on the bizarre turn my life had taken. Just weeks ago, I was a captive, terrified and angry. Now, I was being pampered like royalty, with three powerful men vying for my attention.

  "You know," Noms said softly, interrupting my thoughts, "as fucked up as this whole situation is, I can see you're oddly happy. I just want it to stay that way. You were a mess for a while there."

  I met her gaze, offering her a small, comforting smile. "I know, and I believe it will. Like I said, it's different, they've changed in how they're treating me. Cristian even proposed."

  "Yeah, crazy fucker. You going to give him his answer?" she asked as she peered at me over the rim of her glass.

  "No one has followed up on it, I guess they've assumed since we're all doing the dirty tango with no protection, it's as much of a yes as any."

  "Having a Silvestri child is more bonding than a damn marriage, Scar. You know that," she said sharply, one brow threatening to enter her hairline.

  "I know. I guess marriage still makes me uneasy. More than a child," I said with a snort. It was stupid, but Noms knew what my parents had been like. They'd fought, holding their marriage over one another like it was shackles at times. Not me, no, I'd never been a reason they stuck together, I was something they could cast aside. But that damned binding paper they had signed…

  I rolled my eyes, knowing it as stupid.

  She nodded. "Just promise me you'll be careful, okay? These guys might be treating you like a princess now, but they're still dangerous."

  I reached out and squeezed her hand. "I know, Noms. I haven't forgotten what they're capable of. I just don't think they'll ever direct it at me again."

  It was stupid to believe such a thing. People could keep things from you, wear masks, but I'd seen every side of them. I'd killed with their help, and they'd done dark things for me. For some insane reason, I truly did feel like Tyrone and Julian would never do me wrong again.

  Cristian was the only wildcard, and it pained me that I couldn't fully trust him, especially since he was trying so hard. He knew he'd done wrong, and he'd tried to explain his broken brain to me. I couldn't fault him fully for it.

  Noms shook her head, a wry smile on her face. "Only you, Scar. Only you could make three psychos fall in love with you."

  As we laughed together, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Noms might not fully understand or approve of my situation, but she was still here, still supporting me. And in this new, dangerous world I'd entered, that meant everything.

  Noms quirked an eyebrow at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Have you tried ordering them around yet? Might be fun to see how they'd react."

  I chuckled, imagining the looks on their faces if I suddenly started barking commands. I'd started getting more firm with Cristian, and he was oddly submissive now. Then again, he was sure to be dominant when he wanted something, although he was never cruel anymore. "You know, I haven't really. But now that you mention it, I'm tempted to give it a shot when I get home."

  "Do it," Noms urged, grinning. "I want all the juicy details."

  I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. I could just picture Tyrone's face if I were to order him to do something for me. He'd probably lift me up and fuck me senseless, telling me to remember my place, and that I'm his. He'd shown that if I asked nicely, he'd do it. Commanding would not go down well I'd imagine.

  Shaking off the thought, I changed the subject. "How's Ray doing? Has he said anything about... you know, everything?" I'd updated Noms on the phone in our calls, which were more frequent and for longer times now. Tyrone had stated after our night on the dining table that I was to consider myself more of a free woman in ways, and could make my calls. I didn't doubt they'd still be monitoring them, for safety, of course.

  Noms' smile faded slightly. "He's still pretty pissed, Scar. After what they did to him, I don't think he's gonna be on board with all this anytime soon."

  I sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. "I know it's fucked up, but it's just…" I let the sentence hang, not having anything to really use to defend them with. Ray had gotten stabbed because of them proving a point. Something he wasn't about to forget. And once I'd started to sway in their favor, he'd spoken to me a lot less. It was one thing being their captive, another thing to choose to stay and be with them.

  Which I was ultimately doing with all of this.

  Noms sighed, her expression softening. "Give him time. He'll come around eventually. You two have been through too much together for him to stay mad forever. He thinks of you as family. He may never forgive them, but he'll forgive you, I think."

  We fell silent for a moment, the gentle hum of the salon filling the air. Noms watched me carefully, then asked, "How are you feeling, by the way? Any... you know, symptoms?"

  I knew what she was getting at. The possibility of pregnancy had been lurking in the back of my mind. "I'm not sure," I admitted. "I've been so caught up in everything else, I haven't really paid attention."

  "Haven't paid attention or haven't wanted to know?" she asked, knowing me all too well.

  I just chewed my cheek as she clicked her tongue.

  "Have you taken a test yet?"

  I shook my head, knowing it was stupid that I hadn't. It was around the time my period would be due, and I'd not had an inkling of their presence. "No, I haven't. Maybe I should, though."

  "Definitely worth doing, hun. This whole situation… pregnancy is the big thing. If you're not, you plan on staying with them, don't you? You've embraced this?" She studied me, already knowing my answer. Sometimes she knew me just too damn well.

  "It's messed up, isn't it," I said softly. "That I do want to stay, to have their baby, to be a part of this."

  "Scar, look at the pair of us. Normal lives were never in the cards, we're too unstable for that shit," she said with a chuckle, but then her face became serious. "I just hope you've thought a lot about it."

  "You think I haven't?" I scoffed, and she rolled her eyes.

  "I know you probably sat up at night dwelling on it, overthinking every possible scenario," she shot back. "And this is the decision you've come to. To be a part of it all, to let them in and accept it."

  "Do you hate me for it?"

  "I could never hate you. I understand in some way. I just hope it's the right choice, that's all."

  I nodded, knowing that there was no sure way of knowing anything in life. But I wanted to believe from what they'd shown me. If it all fell apart, then I still had options. Noms and I could run away to the other side of the world, change our names, all that jazz. There was always a backup plan, and I knew it.

  "Just take a damn test, see what's going on," she added as she relaxed back into her seat. "I can't even begin to think of what it's going to be like to be Auntie to a Silvestri, but I'll do my best."

  "Right." I chuckled, grateful I always had her unwavering support, even if my decisions weren't what she agreed with.

  The thought of taking a pregnancy test sent a flutter of nerves through my stomach though. What if I was pregnant? How would the brothers react? How would I feel?

  "You're right," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'll pick up a test on the way home."

  Noms reached out and squeezed my hand. "Whatever happens, I'm here for you, okay? We'll figure it out together."

  I squeezed back with a small smile. As we sat there, getting pampered and gossiping like old times, I couldn't help but marvel at the strange turns my life had taken. From captive to queen, possibly pregnant with a mafia baby. It was surreal, terrifying, and oddly exhilarating all at once.

  18

  SCARLET

  Isettled into the plush leather seat of the car, my mind still buzzing from the day with Noms. The pregnancy test we'd picked up before parting ways burned a hole in my purse, but I pushed that thought aside for now. My driver, a stoic man named Marcus, sat rigid behind the wheel. Two other men flanked me, their eyes constantly scanning our surroundings.

  Tell me you were the prized possession of three mafia brothers without telling me.

  We'd barely made it ten minutes down the road when Marcus's phone rang. His face hardened in the rearview mirror as he listened, and I felt a chill run down my spine. Whatever news he was getting, it was nothing good.

  "Change of plans," he announced, his voice clipped as he ended the call. "We're heading to a safe house."

  My heart rate spiked. "What? Why?"

  "The Russos are retaliating," was all he said as he made a sharp turn.

  "What does that mean?" I pressed, leaning forward as my stomach flipped. "Are we in danger?"

  Just when I was beginning to settle into this new life too.

  Marcus's jaw clenched, but he remained silent. The other men shifted uncomfortably, their hands hovering near concealed weapons.

  "Someone tell me what's going on," I demanded, fear and frustration making itself known in my tone. I hated when people didn't tell me shit.

  If I was a damn Silvestri in some sense now, then I should be getting answers.

  But no one spoke. The rest of the drive passed in tense silence, my imagination conjuring increasingly terrifying scenarios.

  "Are the brothers okay?" I asked uneasily.

  "They're fine. They're handling it," was all Marcus said to silence me.

  I sunk into my seat, taking what little comfort I could in that.

  When we finally pulled up to a nondescript building, I was ushered inside with practiced efficiency. Julian's familiar form greeted me in the main area, hunched over a sleek desk covered in multiple computer screens. A headset covered his ears as his fingers flew across the keyboard.

  "Julian," I called out, relief flooding through me at the sight of him. "What's happening?"

  He held up a finger, finishing whatever he was typing before turning to face me. His usually calm demeanor was strained, worry lines etched across his forehead.

  "The Russos are attacking," he said, his voice tight. "They're targeting our businesses and staff – people who aren't protected."

  The blood drained from my face. "What? Why would they do that?"

  Julian's eyes hardened. "It's retaliation. They're trying to hurt us by going after innocent people."

  Horror washed over me as the implications sank in. My mind immediately went to Rachel, the kind saleswoman who'd helped me pick out dresses with Tyrone. She was just doing her job, completely oblivious to the danger she might be in because of me.

  "Oh God," I whispered, sinking into a nearby chair. "Rachel – the woman at the boutique. Is she okay? Are there others?"

  Julian's expression softened slightly. "We're doing everything we can to protect our people. But it's chaos out there right now."

  I felt sick. This was the dark reality of the world I'd chosen to be a part of. Innocent people caught in the crossfire of a war they didn't even know existed.

  "How can I help?" I asked, desperate to do something, anything.

  Julian shook his head. "The best thing you can do is stay safe. Tyrone and Cristian are out there, handling things. We need to make sure you're protected."

  I nodded numbly, my mind racing. The pregnancy test in my purse seemed trivial now compared to the lives at stake. As Julian turned back to his screens, coordinating God knows what, I sat there, feeling utterly helpless in the face of the storm I'd found myself in.

  This had nothing to do with me really, but if I was in this, then I was in it. I'd been taken by the Russos, and the brothers had killed to get me back. Not just me, though, Julian as well. But the murder of their leader, Angelo Russo, surely wasn't going to go unanswered. The brothers had been waiting for retaliation, and now it was here.

  I watched Julian work, his fingers dancing across the keyboard with an almost hypnotic rhythm as he coordinated the Silvestri response to the Russo attack. The room pulsed with tension, screens flickering with images of chaos unfolding across the city. The air felt thick, charged with an electricity that made my skin prickle. I glanced back at our bodyguards, three of them standing to attention around the room.

  This was serious and big.

  Fuck.

  "Team Alpha, move in on Seventh Street. Protect the civilians," Julian barked into his headset, his voice sharp and commanding. "Team Beta, I need eyes on the warehouse district. Report any suspicious activity immediately."

  I leaned closer, my heart hammering against my ribs as I witnessed shootouts erupting at two of the brothers' businesses. Silvestri men had arrived quickly, forming a protective barrier around the staff like a well-oiled machine. So far, I couldn't see any casualties on our side, but a nagging voice in my head wondered if Julian was shielding me from the worst of it. The thought made me swallow uneasily.

  My gaze drifted to Kenny, nestled safely in his carrier by Julian's desk. The cat slept peacefully, his little chest rising and falling with each breath, blissfully unaware of the danger surrounding us. I envied his ignorance for a moment, wishing I could curl up and forget about the world outside these walls.

  Julian turned to me, covering his mic as he gave me a gentle look. "Why don't you make a coffee or tea, pyro? There's no need for you to see all this."

  "I'm a Silvestri now, more or less, aren't I?" I shot back.

 

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