Page 21 of Saving Scarlet

“Please!” I beg.

The cover is ripped from my head. When I see how many big Russian men surround me, I cry out because I know how this is going to go. They’re going to kill me. Possibly rape me first and then kill me.

Ivan flicks open a knife and slices the rope so fast, it leaves a trail of blood dripping from my wrist. I look up at him, wide eyed. He grabs my arms and starts forcing me backward.

“Please let me go. Please. I’m not worth it.”

His bloodshot eyes narrow. He continues to back me up. “I know you’re not worth it, bitch. You’re a waste of fucking air. Unfortunately for you, no one fucks with me and gets away with it. Enjoy a nice, long time out.”

He shoves me, hard, sending me stumbling backwards into darkness. A heavy metal door groans as it swings shut, closing me into pitch black.

“No! Please! Please!” I cry out, pounding on the cold steel.

“Scarlet! Baby, wake up.”

The air rushes from my lungs so fast it burns.

My eyes fly open, and I start fighting against the tight grip on my arms. “No, no, no!”

“Baby, stop. It’s me. It’s Killian.”

I freeze, my breath sawing in and out of my lungs. Tears drip from my eyes, and sweat covers my body. He grabs my hand and presses it to his bare chest.

“Shh. You’re safe, baby girl. Daddy’s got you. Feel me. Feel my heartbeat. You’re safe.”

The solid thump against his sternum soothes me, and I start counting each beat in my head. He doesn’t say anything more. Instead, he rocks me, holding me like I’m an infant in his arms.

“Killian,” I whisper.

My throat is scratchy and my chest burns. The only thing keeping me from breaking into a million pieces right now is him.

“I’m here, baby. It was a nightmare. You’re safe.” His voice is quiet and tender.

“It’s…so…dark. P-please, turn on a light. Please,” I beg.

Seconds that feel like hours pass before Killian reaches over and flips on the bedside lamp. A soft glow spreads throughout the room. Sobs rack my body as I look around to confirm I’m no longer in the cold, dark box.

I’m not sure how long I cry in his arms, but he whispers reassurances to me the entire time. When the tears dry, I’m so weak and exhausted, I can’t move.

“I’m okay. You can put me down now,” I murmur.

He shakes his head. “I’m not putting you down. You’re staying right where you are for the rest of the night. Close your eyes and go to sleep.”

“You don’t have to babysit me. I’m okay now.”

He lets out a low growl but doesn’t budge. “Scarlet, quit fighting me on everything. Let me take care of you. I’m not going to be able to sleep if I leave you because I’ll worry about you. So hush and close your eyes.”

I’m surprised by the raw emotion in his voice. Instead of arguing with him, I obey. I tell myself it’s because I’m too exhausted to argue but in reality, I don’t want him to leave me alone. Being in his arms is making me feel safer than I’ve ever felt before.

With a hum of agreement, I close my eyes and let my head relax against his chest while I continue to feel his beating heart. His warm skin makes me melt, and soon, I find myself drifting off to sleep without a single fear of another nightmare.

8

KILLIAN

Waking up with Scarlet in my arms is worth the back pain I’ll have for the next few days. Instead of tucking us into bed, I sat up with my back against the headboard and kept her cradled in my arms for the rest of the night. I barely slept, but that’s fine. Watching over her was more important. If she had another nightmare, I wanted to be there to wake her up as quickly as possible. Seeing her thrashing around and crying had been enough to rip my heart right out of my chest.

I know the very moment she wakes up. Her entire body tenses against mine. Her hand is still resting over my heart, and it feels like it belongs there. I’ve never had the urge to wake up next to a woman. Not until Scarlet. Now I want to wake up like this every day for the rest of my life.

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