Chapter 85 *
Scarlett’s POV
Ronin.
Of course it was Ronin.
Because my luck tonight couldn't get any worse.
He scanned the room. His eyes swept over the bodies. The blood. The destruction.
Then they landed on me.
I watched his expression change. Something flickered behind those dead eyes.
Wait.
His eyes looked red. Like he'd been crying.
Since when does Ronin cry?
He took a step toward me. Then another.
My heart started pounding.
Does he know? Did he figure out I'm Sable?
Does he think I killed his wife?
I pressed myself back against the desk. Made myself look smaller. More scared.
"Sir?" My voice came out shaky. "Are you... are you with the police?"
He didn't answer. Just kept walking toward me.
His jaw was clenched. His hands were in fists.
Oh shit. Oh shit oh shit oh shit.
He definitely knows.
Then he was right in front of me.
Before I could react, his arms wrapped around me.
Pulled me against his chest.
Tight.
Really tight.
I froze.
My brain completely short-circuited.
What.
What is happening right now.
His arms were like steel bands. Crushing me against him.
I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
All I could feel was the pressure. The heat. The way his whole body was shaking.
Wait.
He's shaking?
Ronin doesn't shake. Ronin doesn't feel emotions. Ronin is a robot who kills people for money.
"Sir?" I managed to squeak out. "I think... I think you've got the wrong person?"
He didn't let go. Just held me tighter.
My ribs were screaming. My shoulder wound was on fire.
But mostly I was just confused.
So. Incredibly. Confused.
Why is Ronin hugging me?
Did he lose his mind?
Is this some kind of weird interrogation technique?
Am I being hugged to death?
I tried to pull back. He held on.
"Sir, you're kind of crushing me here."
Nothing.
I could feel his face pressed against the top of my head. His breathing was uneven.
This is the weirdest thing that's ever happened to me.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he let go.
Stepped back.
His head dropped. He was staring at the floor.
"I'm sorry." His voice came out rough. Hoarse. "I'm sorry, I just..."
He trailed off.
I stood there. Completely frozen.
My brain was trying to process what just happened.
Failing miserably.
"It's... it's okay?" I made my voice small. Uncertain.
What else was I supposed to say?
He lifted his head. His eyes were still red.
"I thought..." He stopped. Swallowed hard. "I thought all the hostages were dead. It's good to see someone made it out alive."
I blinked.
Since when does Ronin give a damn about civilian casualties?
This man once blew up an entire building because someone scratched his car.
But I couldn't say that. I was supposed to be a scared college student.
So I just nodded. Made myself shrink back a little.
"Thank you, sir."
He looked around the room. "What happened here?" He walked toward the bodies. Crouched down. He looked back at me. "How did they die?"
I bit my lip. Let my eyes dart to Dr. Patterson.
Patterson was standing in the corner. Clutching that metal case. Looking like he wanted to disappear.
"I... I don't..." I made my voice shake. "There was a woman. She came in and..."
"A woman?" His voice went sharp.
"She just... she moved so fast." I wrapped my arms around myself. "She killed them all. Every single one."
Ronin's jaw tightened. He knows exactly who I'm describing.
Sable.
"Did she take anything?" His eyes went to the metal case in Patterson's hands. "Did she take the research? The serum?"
I shook my head. Fast. Maybe too fast.
"No! No, she didn't take anything!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! I mean..." I looked at Patterson. "She just killed the terrorists and then she left. She told us to wait for help."
Patterson nodded quickly. "That's right. She didn't touch the case. Didn't even look at it."
Ronin studied us both.
I held my breath.
Please believe it. Please don't ask more questions.
Finally, he nodded.
"Alright."
Just like that. The suspicion vanished from his face.
His expression softened. His voice got quieter.
"Can you walk? Let me get you out of here."
I automatically took a step back. Moved closer to Patterson.
My face must have shown fear. Confusion.
Ronin froze. His hand dropped.
"I'm with the FBI." The lie came out smooth. "I'm here to help."
Sure you are.
And I'm the Queen of England.
But I couldn't say that either.
"FBI?" I made my eyes go wide. "Really?"
"Really." He moved slowly. Like I was a scared animal. "I'm taking you to get medical attention. Now."
Before I could respond, he stepped forward.
And just... scooped me up.
One arm under my knees. One arm behind my back.
I was so shocked I couldn't even protest.
Ronin. The legendary assassin Ronin. Was carrying me like I was made of glass.
My arms automatically went around his neck. For balance.
His face was so close to mine.
Those dark, intense eyes. They looked... worried?
"Thanks," I managed to say. My voice came out strangled.
He started walking. His movements were careful. Smooth.
Like he was afraid of jostling me.
"You okay?" He looked down at me.
I tried to smile. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm —"
The pain hit.
Sharp. Sudden. Like someone drove a knife into my lower abdomen.
I gasped. Couldn't help it.
"Hey. Hey, look at me." His voice got urgent. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm fine. Just—"
Another wave of pain. Worse this time.
And then I felt it.
Warm liquid running down my inner thigh.
No.
I looked down. Saw the dark stain spreading across my pants.
Too much blood.
My vision started going fuzzy around the edges.
"Get a doctor! NOW!" Behind us, I heard Patterson scream.
His footsteps ran closer. I felt his hand on my arm.
"She's pregnant!" His voice cracked. Panicked. "This much blood—she could lose the baby!"
Everything went silent.
I felt Ronin's arms tighten around me. Felt his whole body go rigid.
Then he started running.
"Hold on." His voice was desperate now. "Just hold on. Please."
The hallway blurred past.
My thoughts were fragmenting. Scattering.
The baby.
I'm losing the baby.
God, Damon.
He'd been so happy when he found out. So protective.
What would he do when he found out the baby was gone?
Would he blame me?
Would he hate me?
The tears started falling. Real ones this time.
Not fake. Not part of the act.
Just pure fear.
"Please..." I didn't even know what I was begging for.
Ronin's voice cut through the haze.
"Just hold on. Please. We're almost there."
He sounded more desperate than I felt.
Which was weird.
Why would he care this much?
The elevator doors opened. He ran through.
Jabbed the button for the ground floor.
I could feel the blood soaking through my clothes. Everything was wet. Wrong.
When the doors finally opened, chaos erupted.
People in FBI vests. NYPD uniforms. Paramedics.
Everyone was shouting.
"We need a gurney!"
"Critical patient!"
"Female, early twenties, severe hemorrhaging!"
Hands reached for me.
Everything was getting fuzzy again.
Then everything went dark.