Held

by T K Barber

  “Mom, thank you. Thank you so much!” She could hardly talk for sobbing, and Nick was unable to speak at all.

  Everything this poor man had been through, seen, done . . . all for the desperate hope of saving his sister, it was all over.

  Scarlet pressed her cheek to his and flinched as she wound an arm around his neck. “Nick! Nick, she's safe!”

  He pulled her in, cinched his arms around her waist, and nodded as another sob choked out. He quickly sobered and shot to his feet, gently pulling Scarlet up with him, then scrubbed his face with his hands and cleared his throat.

  “Where is she?”

  Marianna wiped her own tears away and put a hand on his shoulder.

  “Two of our men are bringing her to the house. I'll meet you both there. And don't worry, we'll clean up this mess.” She gestured to Steven's body, then the warehouse in general like it was nothing. She’d reacted worse to spilled milk when Scarlet was growing up.

  “Mom. Steven said this was all set up by a big mob guy called The Wolf. All the way back to my shoulder! Do you know who that is?”

  Marianna’s features froze, her smile in place, but not quite reaching her eyes. Those same eyes flitted to Steven’s body, then blinked. Her nostrils flared before she widened her smile and snapped her gaze back to Scarlet. “Of course not, dear. Don’t be silly. We’ll discuss all this another time. But I feel certain there’s no rush. I’m sure things will calm down for a short while.”

  With that, she turned on her heel and left, flanked by two men Scarlet didn’t recognize. At the main door, Rico waited with crossed arms, watching every step her mother took. When his gaze met Scarlet's, he smiled widely and threw her a wave like they were sitting on the porch.

  Like this was an everyday, normal thing.

  She swallowed. The pieces were sliding into place, and she wasn’t quite sure how she felt about it.

  Her family . . . this whole time. Her whole life.

  It was a bit much to deal with, especially right now, and she had no idea what to do with that knowledge . . . But despite how she probably should have felt, she was almost proud.

  She was part of a family that would go so far to save someone they didn't know. Even if it was a . . . crime family. Nick stood in a daze, and now it was her turn.

  “Nick.”

  She stepped in front of him and strained to lift her arm to place both palms on his cheeks. He slanted his eyes down to her and breathed in.

  “I understand if you hate me. It won't change how I feel about you. But the burden I've put on you, what I've done,” he frowned. “It's a lot of weight to bear.”

  Scarlet’s mouth dropped open, and she forced his face down to fully look at her. Sadness still swam in his eyes, and she frowned.

  Surely, he didn’t really think she could . . .

  “Nick, I could never hate you! I hate him for turning you into this. He's the one that killed my father, killed all those people. You were the unwilling weapon. It makes a huge difference.”

  A small flicker of life, and her heart nearly burst with joy. He was on the way back.

  “But what you did isn't who you are. I know who you are.” She moved her hands down from his face to his chest. “You're an amazing person. Caring, loving, smart, sexy, funny, intuitive, strong, and a good coach among many, many other things."

  A half-smile tugged at his mouth, and he relaxed his shoulders on a long breath. The light was still growing in his eyes, but there was a shadow there as well. She smoothed her hand over his chest, resting it over his heart. He cleared his throat.

  “She couldn’t have handled it if I chose her over you. Even if we got you too. It would have driven a wedge between us, and she would have ended up killing herself.”

  Scarlet gasped and snagged fistfuls of his jacket.

  God, how awful.

  He covered her hands with his and stared off into the warehouse.

  “She carries a massive amount of damage from what she went through. What we both went through. She refused to get help when she moved in with me, insisting she could handle it on her own, but I knew. I've known for a long time how close it hovers to the surface.”

  He untangled Scarlet's fingers and moved her hands behind his back, wrapping her in a hug as he closed his eyes.

  “I told your mother everything. They said they'd do their best, but honestly . . .” He cast his eyes to the sky. “I was afraid she’d already be dead. I truly . . . I hadn't spoken to her in a few days.”

  Scarlet buried her face in his chest and cleared her throat, keeping down tears.

  “But she's safe now. You saved her.” She grabbed the back of his shirt as the weight of those words rolled through her tired, aching soul. “You saved your sister, Nick. And me.”

  He hugged her tighter before pulling back from her and putting his finger under her chin. “You saved me.” He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth, then pulled back, joy and relief written all over his face. “We need to go. I want to be there first.”

  That smile was everything. The entire warehouse could have come crashing down around her, and she’d still be elated. It signified the end of his horrible journey.

  She nodded and pulled out of his embrace, wiping a hand across her cheek as the other slid down his arm. She slipped her hand into his and smiled. The warmth building on her palm seeped into her and sent a tender wave of comfort up her arm as she rested her cheek on his bicep.

  She had been so afraid she’d never see him again; she couldn’t be close enough.

  “Nick?”

  He entwined their fingers as he led her to the door.

  “Yes, Scarlet?” He chuckled.

  God, even that sound was so soothing, so welcome. It sounded like a new sound altogether, a little happier maybe. But also, familiar.

  She glanced up at his face while they walked. The face of the man she loved. Of the man who loved her. Things could begin to normalize, whatever that would be for them, and she was so happy, ready to take this new journey with him.

  The lines that had been so deep from torment would smooth out. He was talking to her freely, not holding back or hiding things. Even his step seemed lighter. He would be a completely different person. A new person that she would spend a lifetime getting to know. Except to him, he could finally be the same person he was before. Or close to it. Her heart swelled almost painfully, but she grinned and shot him a playful look.

  “How old are you?”

  He stopped dead in his tracks and laughed as he pulled her around to face him. He cupped her face and gave her a warm, heart-stopping kiss, then pulled back and looked in her eyes.

  “Twenty-eight. You?”

  She pushed his chest with her good arm and raised her eyebrows.

  “Seriously?! I'm twenty-eight! I thought for sure you were older!”

  He grinned and narrowed his eyes at her. “You saying I look old?”

  “Maybe,” she said, laughing and matching his expression.

  “Hmm.” He chuckled again. “I'll show you old.”

  Heart near full to bursting, Scarlet tugged him along to the truck, at almost a run. “Come on. Mom's house isn't far from here. If we hurry, we'll still beat them there.”

  Scarlet

  The water washed the blood away, but not the cause. And none of the thoughts.

  Even as hot as she could stand it, it didn't burn away any of the memories. Or the pain.

  She'd never given any thought to what it might feel like to watch someone die. But she was indifferent. He had needed to die, and Nick had needed to do it.

  Scarlet rinsed out the conditioner and turned under the water, sucking in a breath as she shifted her shoulder out of the spray. She regretted the ceremonial sling burning now. She stilled and drew in the side of her lip.

  A mob boss's daughter. She, Scarlet Price, was a mob boss’s daughter. And not just any mob boss. A filthy, stinking rich one, known as �
�The Banker’, who left everything to her. Like, everything in the city it felt like. Now, she was a mob princess.

  “What kind of shit is that?”

  She scoffed and let the water cover her face. She couldn't even begin to wrap her brain around that until Annalise was back, and Nick’s family was complete again.

  Even then she had no idea what she was going to do. Or, God, what she was supposed to do. Would she have a job in the . . . family? Or she’d just let her mom keep running things. Scarlet rather liked being in charge of her little call center team. And who the hell was this Wolf guy?

  They’d find out, one way or another. In her mind, it was the least she could do, not only for Annalise but also for herself. Someone would pay.

  She grunted and shoved the thoughts aside. Another time.

  Nick had been understandably impatient, unable to sit or stand in one place for longer than a few seconds before quickly changing direction or position.

  Scarlet was so glad it'd all worked out. Beyond thrilled she hadn't cost Annalise her life, and Nick would get to see her again.

  Every murder Nick did was going to be swept away by their high-up connections, and he was going to be in charge of keeping Scarlet safe. As if he needed to have that spelled out.

  She turned off the water and stepped out into her childhood bathroom. Everything seemed different somehow. Knowing the truth about her family colored her memories. Made them warmer, yet darker. And sadder.

  She pulled on her old university sweatshirt and a pair of jeans that surprisingly still fit. The same outfit she wore when they went out to dinner, celebrating her graduation. She could clearly see her dad's pride and love now.

  She toweled off her hair one more time, as best she could with one arm, and admired herself in the mirror. She managed, just barely, to snag all her hair into a ponytail before she headed out to the living room. Annalise would be here soon, and she couldn't wait to meet her. Nick was going to be so happy.

  Scarlet walked into the living room where the air was noticeably thicker. Her mother wrung her hands in secret, facing the large, ornate fireplace. Nick was—at the moment—sitting but his rigid posture made it clear he was on the edge of leaping to his feet at a moment’s notice.

  Rico stood with his back against the door frame, his arms folded across his chest. He passed glances around the room, seeming like he was trying to avoid looking at her mother but failing.

  Scarlet wrapped her arm around Nick's neck from behind and kissed him on the cheek. He leaned his head into the kiss and hooked his hand over the top of her arm. He gave it a brief squeeze, then dropped it down and clutched his hand together between his knees.

  “Any word yet?”

  He bounced his leg as he shrugged. “Just that they're on the way.”

  There was a single knock on the door before it opened. Rico had his hand on his gun in less than a heartbeat, and Scarlet frowned.

  She really had been so clueless, all her life. A testament, she supposed, to how good her mother was at hiding things. She watched the muscles on Rico’s arm twitch and frowned.

  Had that gun taken lives in the name of protecting her family? She wasn’t sure if she hoped the answer was yes or no . . .

  Rico paled and cleared the doorway. Two men came through, helping a silent and vacant Annalise stagger in. Nick launched himself up from the chair, knocking it over in the process.

  “Annalise!”

  Her eyes fluttered, and she scanned the room until she saw him. Relief flooded her features for only an instant, then her legs gave out, and the two men adjusted their grips gently supporting her weight between them.

  She sobbed harder than Scarlet had ever thought possible, and it instantly pulled tears from her own eyes. Both Annalise’s hands and knees were covered in blood, making Scarlet sick with fear. It wasn’t like they expected her to be in perfect condition, but still.

  “They . . . killed him.”

  Nick swooped down and scooped her up, taking her from the men and holding her tight against him.

  “Oh God, Annalise I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. That stupid party! I should have never let you go alone—”

  “THEY KILLED HIM!”

  Her scream echoed off the walls of the house, shattering the moment. Nick jerked his head back, and the men started. She trembled, digging her bloodied hands into his shoulders and piercing him with a wild, terrified stare.

  “Steven? Yeah, he's gone. H—”

  “They . . ." she sucked in a gasping breath and her eyes unfocused. “He's . . ."

  Her eyes rolled back, and she went fully limp in his arms, creating an instant void.

  “Annalise?!” He carried her across the room. “Damn it! God. Look how skinny! She's bones.”

  He held her like a glass doll, like he was afraid to move her. His expression darkened as he laid her down and scanned her.

  “Jesus, look at her face!”

  He stroked her forehead and gently moved her head by her chin. Scarlet stepped over and sucked in a sharp breath.

  The damage was staggering.

  A rainbow of colors from bruises in different stages of healing painted her skin. An angry, fresh split on her lip, and it was clear it wasn't the first one.

  Or the second.

  Her eyes were sunken in, and her skin ashen. Her hair a dull, matte black. Dried blood stained the corner of her mouth, crusted drops on her chest. Abrasions and bruising circled her wrists. The most obvious indicator of her abuse rested across her stomach, a mottled swath of purple, yellow and gray.

  As if that wasn’t bad enough, bones protruded, the hollow of starvation around them. Scarlet’s stomach turned. If Steven wasn’t already dead, she’d kill him with her bare hands.

  All she wanted to do was wrap this wispy, broken, shadow of a girl up and hide her from the world. She could only imagine what Nick was feeling.

  But she was alive. And safe now.

  Scarlet covered her mouth and took a step back. This was nearly too much. Marianna came up behind her and pulled her back a step to wrap her in a brief hug before gently moving her back to Nick's side. Scarlet knelt beside him and put her arm around his waist.

  “She'll be okay," she soothed. "Once she rests and gets some food in her, I'm—I'm sure she'll start perking right up.” She rubbed his back, and he nodded.

  Marianna stepped over to the two men and spoke in a near whisper. “Which warehouse was it?”

  “Bertman Bay. He had a few guys there but nothing we couldn't handle,” He frowned, shuffling his feet.

  Bertman—

  Scarlet shot a glance to Nick’s now widening eyes, twisted understanding passing between them. That was where this all began. Her injury, Nick’s rescue . . . he’d been right there.

  Marianna nodded. “Good. And the complication?”

  He cleared his throat and looked back over to Annalise, face falling.

  “The Valentine boy was with her. Our new guy, Booker, says he didn't know who he was. Thought he was the one that had kidnapped her. Got the shot off before anyone could stop him. That's his blood,” he said, gesturing to Annalise.

  Oh my . . . God.

  Scarlet spun to face her mom. Marianna’s eyes widened, tears instantly forming as Rico sucked in a short breath and stepped up beside her. Marianna covered her mouth and shook her head.

  “Tommy . . . my . . . why was he even there? God.”

  She stood motionless, an uncharacteristic stream of tears pouring from her eyes. Scarlet’s brain hitched. Her mom knew him? How?

  Scarlet watched as Rico placed a hesitant hand on her shoulder, gave it a light squeeze, then let it slip down. After a few otherwise silent seconds, she cleared her throat and wiped her eyes, fixing Andrew with that oh-so-familiar detached look back in place.

  “Have you told Mr. Valentine?”

  Andrew slowly shook his head. “Walter and I grabbed him as soon as we saw it, and Walt rushed h
im to the hospital. Doc Parker met ‘em there, but we don’t know if he’s gonna pull through. Doc says it’s iffy.”

  Andrew stared back out toward the driveway.

  “I think they were in love, Mrs. Price. I got a daughter too; I know that look. She didn't talk or move the whole way here, and I was worried she never would again.”

  Marianna rubbed Andrew's arm then patted it. “I know that look too,” she said as she met Scarlet’s tearful gaze, and Scarlet put her hand over her mouth.

  Scarlet glanced back at Nick and found his eyes locked on her. Yeah. Her gaze softened. She knew it too. Marianna turned back around.

  “Go home to your family, Andrew. Take a few days. I think we all should. I'll . . . handle Lyle. And everything else. Good work out there, tell the boys for me.”

  “Yes, Ma'am. Thank you.”

  After they left, she eased the door closed and rested her forehead on the wood. Rico turned and placed his back against the wall beside her.

  He scanned her, sighing. “Maybe he’ll pull through.”

  Marianna turned her head to face him and wiped at a tear, rolling back her shoulders. "Call Doctor Parker and see if she'll come examine Annalise as well."

  Rico gave a curt nod and pulled out his phone, stepping through the door and closing it behind himself.

  Annalise shuddered out a breath. "He . . . no . . . Tom . . . please."

  Scarlet dropped a quick glance to her and gripped her own stomach. God, this poor girl.

  Nick smoothed hair from her face and cleared his throat. “Annalise, I love you. You’re safe.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “It’s over.”

  The air in the room was heavy. But above that swam a bittersweet joy.

  Nick was finally free from his nightmare. Free to love Scarlet and repair his soul. Scarlet was safe and headed in a different direction, with Nick by her side, whom she loved with everything she had. Annalise was safe. She'd heal . . .in time. And they'd all be there for her. And for each other.

  Because even in the darkest of shadows, light can still shine.

  Epilogue