Scarlett Mila Marino

I wait until the house falls silent. He's locked the door. He'll come back for me in the morning. I know it. And I can't...I won't be here when that happens.

I glance at the window, as I push it open. The cold air hits my face making me feel just a little bit alive. When I look down my stomach twist. My heart pounds as I push myself up. Biting down hard on my lip to keep from screaming.
The second floor isn't impossibly high, but with my foot already broken, jumping would mean even more damage.

But I don't have a choice.

I swing one leg over the ledge. Feeling the window frame dig into my palms. My entire body is shaking. But I have to get out. I lower myself as far as I can, dangling for a moment. And then I let go.

The world blurs as I fall. I land hard. The pain is so sharp and so violent, I want to scream. I slap a hand over my mouth, clenching my teeth so hard I taste blood.

The agony rips through me, almost knocking me out. I collapse on the grass, my hands digging into the earth as I struggle not to cry out. It feels like my foot has shattered completely.

I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for the pain to settle into something bearable. It doesn't.

I can't stay here. The guards might hear me.

I push myself up to my feet, biting down hard. Each step hurting, but I force myself to keep moving.

***

I walk for what feels like an hour. I dial Rowan's number for the third time. He doesn't pick up. It goes straight to voicemail.

By the time I finally reach his house my body feels like it's going to collapse.
His guards let me in through the gate, knowing me. I knock on the door with the little strength I have left.

It's Lucas who opens it. His eyes widen as he sees me. "Scarlett. What happened?!" He asks panicked.

I open my mouth to speak but the pain is so overwhelming I can barely find words. "Rowan...where is Rowan?"

Lucas exchanges a quick glance with Theodore, who's standing behind him.
And I can see the tension in their faces.

"He's not here." Theodore says, his voice tight. "He's at his dads house."

My stomach drops. "What, why?" I ask. The only time I need him he's at his fathers house.

"We think he's in trouble. He hasn't been home in a few days." Lucas says worrying for his friend.

We all know what Alessandro is capable of. Fear tightens its grip on me, my heart racing. Alessandro is cruel as my father, maybe worse. If Rowan's been there for days...there's no telling what he's already done to him.

"We were about to leave to talk to him." They say.

"I'm coming with you." My voice leaving no room for argument.

"No. You can barley walk." Theodore says firmly.

"I don't care. I'm his wife. Im coming, end of discussion." I snap pushing through the pain.

Lucas looks at me, his eyes full of doubt, but he sighs and nods. "Fine but be careful." He says as we leave.

***

Rowan is there somewhere and I need to see him
The weight of his truth hangs over me, but it pays in comparison to the fear gnawing at my insides. I hate him. But I just need to know he's alive.

A servant opens the door and leads us into the grand hall, we're Alessandro is already waiting. His dark eyes narrow when he sees us.
He looks every bit the predator, towering and cold.

"Boss, where is Rowan?" Lucas says. Do they still refer to him as boss? I thought Rowan had that power now.

Alessandro's lip curl into a smirk. "Rowan. My son has responsibilities. He is where he belongs." He says.

I take a step forward despite the pain stabbing through my foot. Lucas places a hand on my shoulder to hold me back. I shrug him off ignoring the warning glance he gives me.

"Where. Is. He." I demand. Alessandro's eyes flick to me.

"He's exactly where he should be." He says smoothly. "Being reminded of his place." He adds.

"Take me to my husband." I repeat. My voice clear and unwavering.

"I'll do no such thing you fool." He says almost laughing in my face.

"Rowan owns this mafia. The responsibility, the power, everything you've built...it's his. You handed it over to him." I say.

"Everyone around here serves Rowan... they listen to him. Only him." I say, looking around the house, the guards stopping to listen.

His smirk falters for the briefest moment. Tilting his head as if amused. "And what does that make you, little girl. You think throwing titles around will make you something of importance?" He says.

I take another step forward, ignoring the way Lucas and Theodore tenses beside me.

"I'm the wife of Rowan Marino." I declare, my voice stronger than I feel.
"Which means that when I order to see my husband, you don't get to refuse." I say now with a smile on my face.

Alessandro's smirk fades entirely. His eyes narrow, and for the first time I see something new in his gaze. A flicker of fear. Because he knows if Rowan ordered his men to kill his father, they would do it. Alessandro is nothing now.

"You think you can come here and make demands?" He asks his voice quieter now.

I don't flinch. "I don't need to demand. I'm simply telling you how things are. You gave Rowan control. And whether you like it or not, I'm part of that. So...now, you're going to take me to him." I say.

Lucas mouth is on the floor, shocked that I threatened the Alessandro Marino.

Finally Alessandro nods. Though his jaw is clenched tight.
"You've got some nerve, girl." He says as he starts walking, motioning for his guards to step aside. I follow down the stairs. One step at a time.
The further we go, the colder and darker it becomes.

Alessandro stops in front of a heavy iron door, turning to face me. "You wanted this..." he says, twisting the lock and opening the door.

I ignore the sick feeling in my stomach as he pushes the door open. Teh smell of blood and damp stone hits me. My chest tightens with dread.

Then I see him.

Rowan's chained up, his arms handing from the ceiling. His body battered and bruised. His head hangs low. His chest barely rises with each shallow breath. And for a moment, my heart stops.

I move past Alessandro without a second thought. My legs trembling as I make my way to Rowan. I reach up, gently cupping his face. "Rowan..." I whisper, my voice catching in me throat. His skin is cold, his body limp.

"Open your eyes...Please...Rowan, open them. I'm here." I say my tears falling down.

His eyelids flicker. And for a terrifying moment I think he's too far gone to hear me. But then, slowly, his eyes open. Glassy and unfocused at first. But when he sees me, something shifts. His lips part, a broken breath escaping him.

"Mila." His voice is rasp, barely there, but it's enough. He's still with me.

"I'm here." I whisper, tears burning my eyes. "I'm here, and I'm going to get you out, my love."

I turn to Alessandro. "You sick fuck. Give me the keys to the chains now!" I demand. He throws me the keys, then without another word he turns to leave. As if, he himself realized what he's done.

"Lucas! Theodore! Help." I yell loud enough for the whole house to hear.

We all help Rowan out.

Get in the car and leave.

As we drive away, the silence is heavy. Broken by the engine and Rowan's shallow breaths.

I'm cradling him against me in the back seat, to keep him steady as Lucas drives us fast home.

"Rowan." I whisper, brushing a strand of hair from his face.
"Are you hurt anywhere else? Does your chest hurt? Your ribs? Do you need to..."

I stop when I notice his eyes on me. A strange intensity in his gaze. He doesn't answer my questions. Instead he reaches out, his hand trembling slightly, as he cups my face. His fingers are rough, bruised, but he's surprisingly gentle as he tilts my head to the side.

"What are you doing?" I blink, confused.

He doesn't respond right away. His thumb brushes over the spot over my brow. I close my eyes, taking in his touch.

Rowan's eyes narrow, his jaw clenching tightly as he studies the bruises forming under my skin. "Who did this to you?" His voice is low, harsh, almost a growl.

I try to shake my head, but he holds me still, his grip firm, though not painful.
"It's not important right now. You're the one who's..."

"I don't care about me." He snaps. "Who hurt you, Scarlett? Tell me."

He's in agony, his body broken and bloodied, but none of that seems to matter to him.
I swallow hard.

"Tell me who laid a fucking hand on you." He demands, his breathing ragged. And I know, if I tell him right now. He'll go. He'll run out and end my father. He'll do it, just because I got hurt.

I bite my lip, my mind racing as I try to find the words. He's already been through so much, I don't want to add more to his pain. Not today. I can't let him do this today, I need to know he's feeling better. I need him to be better.

"We'll figure it out later. Right now, I need you to rest." I say.

It takes everything in him to stay quiet. To not push further.