Page 62 of Psycho Sinners

Cristian made a move towards her, but I held up my hand, stopping him. I didn't need him escalating the situation further with his typical rash behavior.

"Freedom comes at a price, love," I stated evenly, holding her fiery gaze. "Your term isn't up yet. I promised I'd let you go once you finished your sentence."

A flicker of uncertainty crossed her delicate features before the defiance returned full force. "How do I know you'll stick to your word?"

"The Silvestri word is our bond. It's a currency in our world, one we're proud of." My lips quirked up in a faint smirk. "We may deal in all sorts of...unsavory goods and activities, but our word is iron-clad. I gave you my word, Scarlet. You have it."

She swallowed, the shard still pressed against her throat. I took in the new bandage on her other forearm and the redness of her cheek.

What had Cristian done to her? He could be too reckless sometimes. Normally, I wouldn't feel a thing at this little episode, it wasn't the first time a woman had flipped out when Cristian had used and abused them.

"If you want proof of my word, ask Naomi. You can call her right now if you wish," I stated evenly.

Movement in my peripheral vision drew my attention. Cristian stood there, fists clenched, his entire body trembling with barely restrained rage. His eyes were wild, almost feral as he stared at Scarlet. For a split second, I worried he might try to attack her.

Julian must have noticed too because he shifted closer to Cristian, ready to intervene if needed. An eerie silence hung in the air, thick with tension.

Scarlet seemed to realize the precarious situation because her gaze snapped back to me. With a shaky exhale, she slowly lowered the shard from her throat. It clattered to the tile floor, the sound unnaturally loud in the stillness.

The moment it left her hand, Cristian spun on his heel and stormed out of the room. I pinched the bridge of my nose, letting out a weary sigh. He was like a ticking time bomb lately, growing more unstable by the day.

20

SCARLET

"Great, now we need to get the mirror fixed," Julian muttered, although my focus was on Tyrone as he stared me down.

I ground my teeth as he flicked his head for Julian to follow that psychotic brother of his.

"You can call Naomi shortly, I need to make sure the call will go through," Tyrone said once Julian was out the door. "Although, if you wish to end your life, so be it. I won't stop you, Scarlet." Those dark eyes swept over me, a strange look in them. "I thought you were stronger than that. Had more fire, more desire to live." With that, he turned and left, leaving me alone with the shattered remains of the mirror scattered across the floor.

I let out a shaky breath as I tried to regain control of my frayed emotions. The sharp shard had felt like my only chance at freedom, a twisted promise of release from this nightmarish existence. But Tyrone's words rang hollow - how could I trust the word of these monstrous men who had robbed me of my dignity time and again?

If Naomi could confirm it, then maybe that'd give me a lifeline in these watery depths of hopelessness that threatened to drown me.

I stormed back into the bedroom, my bare feet crunching on the broken glass. Kenny regarded me with those unblinking feline eyes, having made himself quite at home on my bed. A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I collapsed onto the mattress beside him, startling the tabby.

"Well, at least you're free to come and go as you please," I muttered, reaching out to stroke his soft fur. Kenny purred and nuzzled against my hand, his innocent affection a stark contrast to the depravity that surrounded us.

"You got it made, don't you?" I muttered. "Bet you've never had to fight for a damn thing in your life."

His tail twitched as he just continued to nuzzle against my arm, and I sighed.

Part of me was horrified that I went that far. But another part, that dark twisted piece of my soul, felt a savage sense of satisfaction. Good. Let them see that I wouldn't just roll over and take their abuse. I was not not some helpless victim to be exploited. There were ways out, although the one I'd chosen was a one way ticket, and Naomi would never forgive me.

Tyrone's words echoed in my head. I thought you were stronger than that.

Why did that piss me right off? I'd survived utter hell, my life had been no walk in the park. All of this, it was just another chapter in the shit-show of my life.

He had no idea who I was.

I clutched Kenny close, burying my face in his soft fur as his purrs vibrated against my cheek. The events of the last few weeks swirled in my mind like a vortex of despair and anger. How had I ended up in this nightmare?

A shudder ran through me at the memory of the shard of mirror pressed against my throat, the cool glass a tempting escape from this fuckery. But Naomi's face flashed before me, and I knew I couldn't do that to her.

We're in this together. The promise we'd made when we'd run away from home as teenagers was the reason I'd never given up. She was my chosen sister, we were bound by the trauma and shitstorms that we'd endured, leaning on one another to survive this life.

Pulling back, I studied Kenny's innocent face, his eyes half-closed in contentment. "How can such monsters have a pet like you?" I murmured, gently scratching behind his ears. My mind moved to Tommy, my stomach knotting. Did he feel any remorse for what he'd done? For shattering my heart and sending me spiraling into this abyss? He was the reason I was here.