Page 24

SCARLET

I awaken to the sound of snoring. Slowly, I crack open my lids and for a split second, I go into panic mode because I don’t recognize anything.

But the panic doesn’t last long when I realize where I am and who is with me.

I’m lying in a hospital bed surrounded by sterile walls and IVs. Beside me in a vinyl chair, Gunn is sleeping in what has to be the most uncomfortable position ever— bent over, his head on my lap, his neck twisted and an odd angle.

Hanging in front of me is a television set to a news channel. Next to that is a white board with a lot of important information. For example, I learn that I’m at the Presbyterian Hospital in room 323. My tech is Jackie, and the physician on call is Dr. Mills.

But it’s when I read further that I find myself rereading what’s been written.

Patient’s Name: P. Sinclair.

Spouse: G. Sinclair.

Councilor: Dr. Davis D.O.

I lift my head slightly to peer down at myself and get a good reminder of why I’m here and why they’ve assigned me a mental health professional. Both of my arms are completely wrapped in bandages.

Whatever I’ve done throughout the years, how much ever I’ve tried to hide it, I can’t anymore.

For a long while I lay there, staring at the ceiling, contemplating what my life will be like now. What this all means.

Will I be committed? Arrested?

Just outside of my room, beyond the slightly opened door, I spot a police officer at the nurses’ station.

Is he here for me?

My fingers twitch as my mind is filled with the worst-case scenarios, and I desperately try to work a way out of them. Tears begin to fill my eyes, and when I blink, they roll down my temples.

Then, Gunn stirs and I turn to him and my brain stops. All I can think of now is that he’s here. He didn’t abandon me to whatever my fate will be.

It takes all the strength I can muster to move my heavy arm and touch him. “Hi, Dimples.”

He groans and sits up, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hi back. How do you feel?”

“I feel the way I look.” I try to smile, but he doesn’t react to it.

Instead, he clears his throat and peers at his fingers as he carefully entwines them with mine.

“What happened?” I ask.

Gunn’s jaw works as he seems to fight his breathing and he sets his gaze upon me, but he still doesn’t speak. It’s fucking unnerving.

“I wasn’t trying to kill myself,” I quickly say, desperate for him to believe me.

“Hurting yourself is just as bad.”

Shame suddenly fills me and I avert my eyes. “I know.”

“You nicked an artery, Scarlet. You didn’t try to kill yourself, but you could have. Everything we did, everything we fucking went through for would have been for nothing.”

A tear rolls down my cheek and he wipes it. “You should have left me and run. It was dangerous to help me. You’re still in danger. It’s not safe for you here, Gunn. Gideon and Luca, they’re going to come for us.”

“Gideon is the one that told me to leave with you.”

“H-he did? Yes,” I whisper, the muddled memory coming back to me. “He stayed behind.”

“He bought us time.” There’s a hint of awe in his tone, as if he still can’t believe Gideon would do such a thing for me.

“Is he okay?”

“I haven’t dared exposure and something tells me he won’t try to contact you.” He pauses as his fingers gently brush my hair aside. “I realize now, he loves you.”

“In his way, I suppose.” I smile. “Knowing him, I’m positive he managed to slip out of Luca’s grasp.” I settle, resting my head once again on the thick pillow. “He’ll be okay.”

“Yes. He’s smart.” Gunn stares at his hands, but I can still see the turmoil inside him. “Why did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Hurt yourself.” He lifts his gaze back to me, and there’s so much more there than turmoil. There’s pain and worry and something greater than both, but I can’t grasp what it is.

“I…” the words elude me. “I don’t know. It eases something inside me.”

He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I’ve never been so afraid in my life.”

“Why am I so broken?” The words come out choked. A plea to have someone help me underhand why I am this way.

“We’re all broken.”

“No.” I shake my head. “Not like me. I’m completely shattered, Gunn. Am I that weak?”

He gazes at me for a long time as he contemplates what to say. “You have been hit far more than most. And you’ve had to put the pieces together on your own. But I’m here now. We will put them back together.”

“It might take a long time,” I warn him. “I’m scared. What if they admit me?”

“I know. But we need the help”

“I need a shrink, you mean.” I look at the doctor’s name on the whiteboard. “Dr. Davis.”

Gunn nods. “Yeah. Nice guy. We’re going to like him.”

“We?”

“You’re not going through this alone, Peaches. I’m here.”

A smile pulls my lips. He’ll be here with me no matter what happens.

“Okay.” I look at the whiteboard again. “P. Sinclair? Is that supposed to be, Peaches Sinclair? Did we get married while I was knocked out?”

He chuckles, and for the first time since I woke up, his spirits seem to lift a little. “I couldn’t use your real name. As it is, my connections are working their magic to keep us hidden from Luca.”

Ah yes, he’d have connections of his own. Just like I had a secret apartment. But those don’t last forever. Eventually, we will have to move.

Still, for now, I can enjoy this moment of peace.

“I like the way it sounds,” I sigh.

“Really? Peaches Sinclair.”

Laughing, I say, “No, silly. Scarlet Sinclair. Sounds sexy.”

“Yeah. My name belongs to you. My heart too.”

Something lodges in my throat, a sob or maybe even my own heart. “I love you, Dimples.”

He nods slowly as a smile appears on his lips and his dimples deepen. “Right back at ya.”

I reach for his hand as I drop my head back onto the pillow and grin. “We’re fucked. You realize that, don't you?”

“Oh yeah, Peaches. So fucked.”

“But you love me.”

He scoots onto the bed and puts his arm around me, bringing me tightly into him. “Till my dying day.”

Dear Reader,

I hope you loved Gunn and Scarlet as much as I did! They really have a special place in my heart forever. We are near the end of the Sinacore saga, and of course, that can only be told by the sexy villain himself, Gideon.

He’s a blue-eyed villain. As charming as the Devil himself, and just as dangerous. A predator made to seduce. And I fell right into his trap.

I’m a mafia princess, sister to the ruthless king of the Sinacore crime family. Ruthlessly overprotective, that is.

With the recent murders involving the heads of several criminal organizations, my brother amps up security, making decisions that stifle my already insignificant personal life.

So when he sends me away for my own good, I see the chance, and flee. I run as fast as I can from my gilded cage, straight into the trap set by our greatest enemy. Gideon Black.

I’m his captive now. Something to barter with. Something to play with.

Now instead of a gilded cage, I’m held in one made of brutal seduction and dark promises. The more I fight the desire he stirs in me, the hotter our fire burns. My walls are crumbling faster than I can build them, and I’m not sure if I'll be able to resist the temptation before I can escape…

or if I’ll surrender to the sweet torture and become a willing victim of the Ferryman.