Scarlett Mila Marino

I stretch lazily, realising just how perfectly content I feel, like I've never slept this good before. My body is draped over Rowan's body, his arm wrapped securely around my waist, holding me close.
I never thought his bed would be so comfortable.

I can't remember when I put on pyjamas, but I'm wearing Rowan's shirt.

A satisfied smile tugs at my lips as I think about last night. My mind tracing over the memory of every touch, every word.

Rowan shifts beside me, and I glance up to find him already watching me. His fingers lazily running down my arm.

"Morning." I say, my voice still raspy from sleep.

"Morning sweetheart." He says making me melt. This actually feels like a dream.
"I liked that." I blush. He plants a kiss on top of my head.

"And I liked when you called me baby." He says as a big smile spreads on my lips.

I shift sliding on top of him. His hands automatically rests on my thighs.
"What do we do now? I mean like...what are we?" I ask more serious.

He reaches up, his fingers tracing my jaw. "I'm whatever you want me to be." He says, his voice low, steady.
"For me this isn't pretend anymore, Mila. My heart...it only beats for you, do what you want with it." He says making my cheeks go bright pink.

I smile leaning down, brushing my lips lightly over his, barley a whisper of a kiss. "Good." I murmur, pulling back to look into his eyes. "Because I don't want to pretend either." I admit.

"So about last night," Rowan begins, now giving me a playful smirk. I can see where his mind goes.
"I didn't think you would be so...eager to have me." He says.

I raise an eyebrow, letting out a soft laugh. "Oh really? You didn't think I had it in me?"

Rowan's hands goes to my hips, holding me in place. Eyes glinting with amusement. "No, I didn't think you'd be so...freaky."

"Oh I can be dirty. More than you think." I give his bottom lip a playful bite, then pull back, watching his reaction. His eyes darken and I can see how much that one little move gets to him.
If he only knew the dreams I've had about him.

A girls mind is probably more dirty minded than any mans. We're just better at hiding it.

"And next time...I'm in control." I say. Rowan shakes his head, disagreeing.

"When you're fucking me, Mila...you're never the one in control." He shakes his head.

Fuck I like that. I like how I don't have to have any control. I don't need to have all the answers, how I don't need to think, to be in charge. It's freeing. Like I can just feel and trust everything that's happening between us.
He's got me no matter what.

*knock* *knock*

A guard knocks on the door and Rowan stands up to see what's up. The guard whispers something I can't quite hear.
"We'll be down in a minute. Make sure he doesn't have any weapons on him." Rowan says closing the door.

He turns to me, and by the way he's looking, it's not good.

"It's...your father." He says. I freeze.

"No...what is he...I don't want to," I can't even speak right. Rowan walks over to the bed leaning over me. He plants a kiss on my forehead. I close my eyes taking it in.

"He can't do anything to you, I'm here." He assures me. It's like I've forgotten how to breathe.

"Scarlett look at me." He tilts my head up to look at him. "Do you trust me?" He asks as I slowly nod.

"Mhm." I mumble wanting to cry. Every time I'm happy with my life, my father shows up, ruining it.
And him showing up here can't be good.

"It's your time to show him who has the power." He says helping me out of bed. He's right. I'm not weak. Never been. And now that I have Rowan I can do anything I want without consequences.

With him by my side, I'm safe.

I put on a pair of pants then head to the living room.

He stands there waiting for us. When he turns I meet his eyes. He smiles. A cold, smug curl of his lips. It makes my stomach twist. He's planning something.

Rowan's hand brushes my lower back, grounding me.
He steps up beside me, his she's never leaving my father.

"Well, well. I've seen you've done well for yourself Scarlett. Got this man wrapped around your finger." My father says glancing at Rowan.

"What do you want?" I ask, ignoring his words.

"I came to meet my daughter, of course. And your husband, the famous Rowan Marino. I thought it was time for a little chat." He says his smile growing.

Rowan's jaw tightens, his muscles visibly tensing. He pulls me slightly closer to him, as if shielding me from whatever comes next.
"You've seen her, now leave." Rowan says coldly.

My father doesn't flinch instead he takes a seat on the couch.
We remain standing looking at him. Trying to figure out where this is going.

"Rowan I want to chat with you." He says.

We both take a seat on the couch. I'm sitting close to Rowan. Our legs touching.

"Scarlett, be a good wife and make us some coffee." Father says , his tone mocking.

My skin crawls at the command, and before I can even think of moving, Rowan takes my hand. He plants one gentle kiss on the back of it, then his voice deadly calm he says,

"One. You are going to call me Mr.Marino." Rowan says.
"And Two. My wife doesn't lift a finger in our own home. I'll be damned if I let her do a single thing for you. Make no mistake, this is your last warning." Rowan adds.

I squeeze his hand as if saying thank you.

"Alright enough with the chit chat. I need something form you." Father says as if he didn't hear what Rowan just said.

"Let me guess...money." Rowan says rolling his eyes.

"I've gotten myself into a bit of a mess." My father says nodding. It's always about money when it comes to him.
"And if I don't get the money from you today, things will end badly for you two." Father threatens.

Does he even know who he's talking to?

"What the hell are you talking about?" I ask getting confused. How is his messed up life going to affect us?

"Anthony and Asuka." My father says smoothly. His voice taking on a darker tone. "I've got them. There alive for now...I have them locked up tighter than anyone else ever could, and if you don't give me what i want..." he doesn't finish his sentence letting it hang in the air.

My breath catches in my throat. My...my friends. They're particularly family.

"How much?" Rowan asks cutting through my panic.

"Ten million." He says leaning back with a smug grin. "Shouldn't be too hard for a man like you, right?" He adds, almost laughing at his own words.

The room goes silent and before I can even process the words, Rowan moves. His hands shoot out, wrapping around my father's throat, lifting him slightly. My fathers eyes widen in panic as he struggles for air.

"You think you can walk into my house, threaten my wife, and make demands?" Rowan growls.

"Rowan stop!" I shout, jumping up and grabbing his arm. "Please! He has Anthony and Asuka." I beg.

Rowan's grip hardens for a moment, his eyes dark with rage. But then slowly loosens his hold. Letting my father drop back on the couch. My father coughs, gasping for air, his smugness gone, replaced by real fear.

Rowan leans down, his voice a cold whisper. "You think you've won because you have her friends? I'll find them. And when I do, there will be nothing left protecting you from me." He warns.

"You have 24 hours to get me that money. If I don't get it, the blood is on your hands." Father says still clutching his throat. He then stands up, straighten his jacket and walk out.

As soon as the door closes behind him, everything hits me all at once. The air feels thick, like it's suffocating me. My vision blurs, and my knees give out, crashing to the floor. I don't even feel the pain. It's like I'm outside of myself, numb, disconnected.

Anthony. Asuka.

Their faces flash through my mind.
My stomach churns. I can't take it. I can't live with this. If something happens to them, if they die because of him...because of me, I don't know how I'll survive it.

Tears blur my vision, and I burry my face in my hands. My tears coming in waves. It's like I can't catch my breath. It's like my whole world is falling apart.

"Scarlett." Rowan's voice cuts through the fog. But I barley hear him.
I'm spiraling, lost in my own panic. My hands shake as I grip my arms, trying to ground myself, but it's not working. Nothing is working.

"I can't..." the words choke out between sobs. "I can't lose them. I can't..."

Before I know it, Rowan is by my side. His arms wrapping around me, pulling me close. His strong hands goes to my face forcing me to look at him.
His eyes are dark with worry.
"Look at me." He says.

"We're going to get them back. I swear to you, we'll get them back." He promises.

I shake my head, tears spilling down my cheeks. "How, Rowan? He's going to kill them. He'll keep them even after he gets the money." My voice cracks.
"And what if...what if were to late. What if..."

Rowan pulls me tighter, one hand stroking my hair as if trying to soothe me. "I won't let that happen. I'll find them and bring them to you." He says. His words are meant to comfort me, but the fear is too strong.

I lean into Rowan, letting his warmth surround me, but my heart won't stop racing. My sobs have turned into shallow, ragged breaths. I press my face against his chest, clutching his shirt like it's the only thing keeping me grounded.

"I can't lose them Rowan. I just can't." I whisper, my voice breaking.

"You won't."

But no matter how many times he says it, the fear doesn't leave.

So the bitch father is back😬sorry...