Page 1 of Psycho Saints

1

SCARLET

Isat at the dining table, my mind reeling as I stroked Kenny for comfort. The revelation that Cristian had removed my IUD without my consent left me feeling a range of emotions that collided inside me and made my chest tighten. Julian's hands worked my shoulders, attempting to knead away the tension and panic, but his efforts felt futile.

Tyrone's voice cut through the haze. "Cristian, leave. We'll clean up this mess."

I couldn't even look at Cristian. Anger, fear, and betrayal swirled within me, a toxic cocktail of emotions. I heard his huff and inaudible mutter before his retreating footsteps, the chime of the elevator marking his departure.

Tyrone sighed. "It's too early to tell if you're pregnant. We'll wait and see if you have another period."

His words snapped me back to reality. I lifted my gaze, meeting his. "That'll be after my time is up with you guys. When I'm free," I mumbled, my heart fluttering as my hand on Kenny stilled.

Julian's grip tightened on my shoulders, but he remained silent. Tyrone's face betrayed no emotion as he spoke. "I understand that, but this changes things."

I glared at Tyrone, my anger simmering. "How does it change things? I'm supposed to be free to go after our deal. You can't just-"

"You can't leave now," Tyrone cut me off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Not until we know if you're pregnant or not." He strode to the kitchen, the clink of glass against glass preceding his next words. "We can get you the morning after pill."

The sound of liquid pouring made my throat ache. A stiff drink sounded like heaven right now, but if I was pregnant... I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of confusion.

Julian's hands stilled on my shoulders. "I'm not sure it'll work," he murmured, his voice low and uncertain. "The time frame..."

Tyrone returned, tumbler in hand. His dark eyes fixed on me. "Do you want to do it anyway, or wait to see if you're even pregnant and go from there?"

I dropped my gaze to Kenny, his soft fur a comforting presence under my fingers. My other hand drifted to my stomach, resting there as if I could somehow sense whether a life was trying to begin within me.

I didn't know how I felt about the whole thing. The possibility of pregnancy loomed over me like a storm cloud, dark and unpredictable. I wasn't sure if I wanted kids ever again, not after... But now that it was a real possibility, my emotions were a tangled mess.

The memory of Lily, so small and fragile, flashed through my mind. The pain of her loss, still raw after all these years, mixed with a new, tentative hope. It terrified me.

"I..." My voice cracked. I had to make a decision now, but how could I when I couldn't even sort out my own feelings?

I took a deep breath as I tried to steady myself. Kenny's warmth against my hand anchored me to reality as I wrestled with the weight of this decision as I held my stomach with the other.

Julian's voice was soft and understanding. "I know it's a hard choice, Scarlet. But you need to decide. We can get you the morning after pill if that's what you want."

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "You were right though. Considering how long it's been since he took it out, it might not work. And if I'm already pregnant..." I paused, swallowing down the lump forming in my throat. "I don't want to risk harming it by trying."

Tyrone's cold voice cut through the air. "You'll be messing it up anyway if you get an abortion."

His words sparked something in me, a surge of anger that burned away my uncertainty. I snapped my head up, glaring at him. "What if I didn't have the IUD anyway? You guys have been fucking me since the start. The pull-out method isn't exactly foolproof contraception. This could've happened at any point. What was the plan then?"

Tyrone's eyes darkened as he stared hard at me, his jaw clenching. "It was a bridge we would've crossed when we got to it." He took a step closer, his presence looming over me. "But things have changed, Scarlet. You're not just our captive now."

I scoffed. "Really? Because you're saying I can't leave until we figure out if I'm carrying a baby or not. So what? You guys are not going to touch me until then? Or use protection?" I spat the words, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "We both know you'll still take what you want and fuck me senseless whenever you want!"

The tears came unbidden, breaking free as the emotions boiled over. I hated myself for crying, for showing weakness in front of them. Julian sighed behind me, his fingers threading through my hair in a gesture that was probably meant to be comforting but only made me feel more trapped.

Tyrone's face remained impassive as he spoke, his voice low and controlled. "You know things have changed, Scarlet. You're tangled in our lives now. You've witnessed things that make you a risk."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. The memory of Angelo's death flashed through my mind, vivid and horrifying. I felt the sob building in my chest before it escaped my lips.

"So letting me see Angelo die was a way to keep me around?" I choked out, my body shaking with the force of my sobs.

Julian's words caught me off guard. "No. It was to get vengeance and show you that you're important to us," he said softly as he braided my hair, his gentle touch slightly soothing despite the havoc swirling around me.

"I'm no one. Just a girl who met the wrong guy at a bar. Now look at the hell I'm in," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.