Psycho Saviors (Psycho Mafia Book 2) by J.E. Cluney

Author:J.E. Cluney [Cluney, J.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

15

SCARLET

"We could play Monopoly, or something else?" Cristian suggested as he packed the cards away that had been left strewn across the coffee table.

"Monopoly is too tense, breaks up families," I joked, and he smirked, those dark eyes glancing at me before he focused back on another pastry.

I watched him devour it, marveling at how he maintained his sculpted physique despite his apparent sweet tooth. The thought crossed my mind that he must work out religiously to stay in such good shape. My eyes traced the lines of his muscles as he stretched, pulling his tee tight over them, and I caught myself imagining him in the gym, sweat glistening on his skin as he lifted weights.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the tantalizing images. Now was not the time to start falling into the gutter and getting all hot and bothered. I'd blame the wine for the naughty thoughts.

Julian's voice snapped me out of my mind. "So, Scarlet, what about you, do you still want kids someday?"

The question caught me off guard, and I felt a pang in my chest as memories of my loss flared. I swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump forming in my throat.

I swirled the last sip of wine in my glass, the ruby liquid catching the light. Julian's question about kids had hit me like a punch to the gut.

"I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm a hot mess really. I barely have my life together, and it's scary."

The memory of Lily, my first child, flashed through my mind, her gurgles and soft coos, and then her cries as she fought for her life. The pain of losing her still felt raw, even after all these years.

"I lost Lily…" I continued, my throat tight. "The thought of potentially losing another is terrifying. It'd destroy me completely, and I'd be scared I wouldn't be able to piece myself back together again."

"You wouldn't lose another," Cristian growled, jerking my attention to him and those dark eyes that burned with something I couldn't quite place. It sounded so definite, like he knew something I didn't, or he was making a promise to me. Either way, it was moot. No one could promise such a thing except the powers above, and I stopped believing in a higher power long ago.

"Life is not a guarantee, I know that. It can be snuffed out at a moment's notice, you guys know that well, considering the family business," I said, my voice dropping at the end before I downed the last bit of my wine.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Not to mention I was not exactly raised in a functional family environment."

Julian leaned forward, his brown eyes intense. "Yes, but you know what you don't want for your child then, you'd aim to do better, right?"

I nodded slowly, considering his words. Maybe he had a point.

"Maybe one day," I conceded, knowing it was not something I would rule out, "when I'm settled and meet the right person.

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