Page 42 of Psycho Saints

"Everything will be okay, kitten," I whispered as I tried to drag us to cover.

Gunfire was raining down on us, and the stupid doorway offered little cover.

I covered her body with my own in the slight cover of the doorframe, knowing trying to lurch further into the house was a surefire way to get shot down right now. The wood splintered around us as bullets tore into it, sending sharp fragments flying. I could feel Scarlet's ragged breathing against my chest, her heart pounding in sync with mine.

"I'm pregnant," Scarlet blurted out, clinging to my shirt with one hand, not caring about the blood splattered all over it. Her fingers twisted in the fabric, knuckles white with fear and desperation while she clung to Kenny's carrier with the other.

I stared down at her, the gunfire becoming muffled as her words registered. The world seemed to slow, the chaos around us fading into a dull roar as my mind struggled to process what she'd just said.

Pregnant.

A whirlwind of emotion rushed through me – joy, fear, love, protectiveness. My heart swelled with a fierce desire to protect her, to shield her and our unborn child from the madness surrounding us. I wanted to laugh, to cry, to scream at the universe for its cruel timing. But before I could respond, more pain sliced through me as I shielded her, staring into those wide eyes, so afraid, not for herself, but for the life growing inside her. I saw a future flash before me – a future I might not live to see. And then darkness swallowed my world, dragging me down into an abyss of uncertainty and unfinished promises.

20

SCARLET

"Everything will be okay, kitten."

Those words rang in my mind as I blurted out my truth, and his eyes widened, emotions dancing through them as he leaned over me, shielding me with his body as gunfire rained down.

I clung to the front of him and Kenny's carrier like they were the only thing holding me to this life, and then Cristian's face had contorted into pain.

Oh god, please no.

He slumped forward against me, his body dragging me to the floor and covering me.

I lay frozen beneath Cristian's weight, my heart pounding in my chest. The gunfire continued to echo around us, but all I could focus on was how still he'd become. His body, usually so full of manic energy, was eerily motionless.

This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.

Not now.

"Cristian," I whispered, my voice breaking as he didn't respond or move.

Was he even breathing? I tried to focus on his chest, but my own trembling form made it difficult.

"Don't you die on me, you prick," I hissed as tears stung my eyes.

Kenny's carrier sat on the ground beside me, and I caught sight of his eyes peering out. He remained silent, watching me intently. I was grateful for his calm presence right now, and I focused on him as I tried to steady my breathing.

The gunfire was dispersing now, shots no longer raining down as heavily. I held onto Cristian's shirt, trying to feel any sign of life.

Was this how it would end for us? Him dying trying to save me?

The Russos would be upon us any second now, and I'd be a goner. Either that or taken prisoner again to use against them.

"Please…" I whimpered pitifully.

Footsteps thundered nearby, and I held my breath, looking to Kenny for any comfort I could possibly gather right now. Men burst into the room, their weapons raised as they pointed their guns down at Cristian. I refused to look at them, focusing on Kenny, not wanting to see it if they pulled their trigger.

My baby would never be born.

Before I could react, shots rang out, and they crumpled to the floor, bumping Cristian's arms and knocking Kenny's carrier to the side, taking away my own comfort and focal point. I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut as more men entered, my heart catching.

Suddenly, hands grasped Cristian, pulling him off me. I gasped, my eyes flying open to see familiar faces – bodyguards I recognized from the Silvestri men. They lifted Cristian's limp form, his chest barely rising and falling, but it was there now that I could see him properly.

"Is he okay?" I croaked, struggling to sit up as I sucked in deep breaths. "Please, tell me he's okay!"

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