I didn't get too far before I pulled out my phone and called for more back up. I wasn't sure who was alive and who was dead back at the brothel. All I knew was that Alessandro could possibly be alone.

I glanced over at Reyna, and I found myself wondering what was going through her mind. She seemed so drawn into the view outside her window that it was like the rest of the world didn't exist. She was battered and bruised—unlike anything I had ever seen her like before.

Tearing my eyes away from her, I focused on the road.

"Reyna," I called.

She didn't respond, and I was sure she hadn't bothered to look at me. For all I knew, she could be thinking about how much she hates me for taking her out of that house.

"Reyna!" I tried again.

Reluctantly, she turned to me. Her eyes were blank and her face was neutral. I could see tears that began to dry up on her face only for more to create a new path down her cheeks.

I wanted to say something—something that could mean something. Something that I wanted to be told back when I felt like nothing. Something that was more than nothing—just something.

"I want you in my room tonight," I demanded. Mentally, I cringed at my own words.

She didn't say anything. She only turned back to the window and continued to look out as if searching for meaning. Her body curled up in the seat, facing away from me. It was only then that I noticed she didn't have a seatbelt. Instead of forcing her to put one on, I slowed down, making sure I avoided any kind of accident.

After quite a drive, we arrived back at the mansion. The cleaners were just beginning to leave, and at the sight of my car, they gave a curt nod before disappearing into their van. I pulled into my long, brick driveway and parked my car just before turning it off.

I faced Reyna. I opened my mouth to say something—anything, but nothing would come out. So, instead, I decided to settle in the silence. Hoping that silence would become her newfound friend; holding her when she felt most alone; listening to her unspoken words and whispering in her ear as she grew still.

Leaning back in my seat, I sighed. From the time I was young, I learned that when there was nothing to say, presence could be enough. The comfort of knowing someone was there could have fixed a whole lot of damage within me, but instead, water seeped through the cracks until it finally broke through.

I opened my door and got out just before walking around the car and opening Reyna's. She didn't put up nearly as much resistance as before. I only had to grab ahold of her hand to get her out of the car and follow me into the house. The house smelled like bleach, probably from cleaning up all the blood in my living room.

Guiding Reyna to my room, I shut the door behind us. There was an awkward silence that settled in the room. I continued to walk her over to bathroom, taking in the sight of her. She was still practically covered in blood and I only just noticed that there were no shoes on her feet.

"Start getting undressed. I'm going to start the shower," I told her, turning away to turn on the water. My shower was black marble tiles that went from the floor to the ceiling. It was large enough to fit a group of people.

Once the water began to fall from the rainfall shower head, I turned to Reyna to see she hadn't moved a muscle. She was zoning out and completely lost in her own world.

Walking up to her, I cupped her cheek in my hand.

"You taught me something. For so long, I've been trying so hard to fit into this picture everyone painted of me... so dull... so black and white. As long as I was seen as the villain, no one could ever expect a hero. If I became the monster—a thief—a gangster, I would have nothing to fear... except for the girl in glasses—Angel—Little Red," I began.

She turned to look at me with those beautiful, glossy brown eyes.

"I feared you because you could see right through me. You grabbed that paintbrush, and you observed me. You looked past some image I created, and you saw me. Then, you did the one thing no one had ever done before... you painted your own damn painting—one with color," I said.

She continued to stare at me. Even though she hadn't said a word, I could almost hear it being whispered into my ear.

"I need you, baby. I don't know why it has taken me so long to realize this. Maybe it's because the thought of losing you both mentally and physically is really fucking killing me," I said, bringing her face closer to my own. "I need you to understand that I'm with you, Angel. I need you."

A tear fell from her eyes.

Before she could say anything I pulled her into my arms and I just held her. I breathed in her scent, and grew grateful to have her in my arms again. Warmth sprang from her to me before softly finding its place between the two of us.

"I barely got to be with her," Reyna whispered.

I could only imagine the disappointment she must've felt—combined with some of the most wounding emotions. Running my hand down the middle of her back, I shut my eyes again, spending every second existing in the present.

I held her for just a bit longer before having to pull away. There was still one piece of information I was missing.

"What happened with Lucile?" I broke the silence.

She didn't look at me. Her gaze moved back down at her feet as she began to play with her own fingers.

"I... woke up all tied up in a basement. Lucille was ordered to send me to Russia, but she was going to kill my mother—I heard her say that when I pretended to be l still be sleep..." she sighed. "In order to prepare me for transportation, she had to untie me. The moment she did, I attacked her and we fought. I didn't mean to—"

Her voice broke into a sob, finally I was met with those beautiful eyes again. "I didn't mean to kill her. I was trying to get her off of me, and she—her head hit the wall and... she was gone instantly."

"Come here," I said.

I hooked my fingers around the hem of her torn up shirt and lifted it above her head. I then slid off her bottoms, leaving here in bloody undergarments.

"I'll be right back. Just get in the shower for me," I said.

As I made my way out of the restroom, I grabbed my cell phone from my pocket and dialed Alessandro's number.

He answered in a heartbeat.

"How is it looking over there?" I questioned. The back-up I sent should have already arrived with instructions to assist Alessandro.

"We've eliminated all of Viktor's men," Alessandro informed me.

"Reyna told me that she killed Lucille in the basement of that house, could you check for me?" I wondered. "I don't want anymore surprises from that family."

"I will, and I'll be sure you stay updated," Alessandro said cooly.

"What about the girls—they're all alive, right?"

"We're currently getting the place cleaned so when cops come by they'll believe Viktor owned the brothel and was killed by a loyal costumer. It should be enough to get anyone who had ever worked for Viktor in jail. It probably won't be finished for another hour or two," Alessandro said.

"Good."

"How is she?" he questioned.

"She'll be okay," I reassured him.

"Good," he said.

With no other words to say, I hung up the phone and turned back to the restroom. It was beginning to fog up with steam. At first there was no sight of Reyna until I looked over in the corner of the shower and saw her curled up. Her knees were up to her chest and her arms curled around them to hold them closer.

I stepped over to the glass wall that stood between me and Reyna. She turned to me, glancing down at the water that was beginning to mix with blood, tainting what was once clear. It was her in a way—Reyna before mixing with Red.

"It hurts," she said lowly. "It just feels so unreal."

I stepped out of my shoes, quickly disrobing my attire before stepping into the shower with her. At my presence, she looked up at me as I grabbed onto her arm and pulled her up so she was standing.

Placing soap into a small towel, I lathered it up, forming white suds. It was a lavender body wash, and the strong, fresh aroma pranced around the room. I began to clean her body, feeling her eyes on me the entire time. I made sure to scrub every part of her body, leaving no trace of the events that occurred over the past couple of days.

Once I finished cleaning her, I made sure to wash her hair. With my hand around her waist, I placed her under the water and watched as the beads of water trickled down her body.

With her under the water, I bathed myself. I didn't realize how much blood was on me until it was pooling at my feet.

***

After the shower, I tried to make Reyna something to eat but she declined my every suggestion. It was already dark out and she had quickly fallen to sleep. I was sure she was too exhausted and the sadness of the day didn't really help with that.

I grabbed my phone and stepped out onto the balcony. The wind was picking up and rustling through my hair and pants. I dialed Adriano's number. I waited for him to answer, but when it went to voicemail, I called again.

Once again, I dialed Adriano's number until there was an answer.

"Hello?" It was Savannah.

"Where's Adriano?"

"He got stabbed, but I managed to get him out before anything too drastic happened. We're currently at a hospital. He's safe—just sleep. I'll let you know when he wakes up so you can give him a proper call," she informed me.

"Thank you," I said, immediately cringing at my own words.

"That's new!" I could hear the cocky smirk on her lips. "Anytime."

I hung up the phone and walked back into my room only to find my bed empty. One glance at the door told me everything I needed to know—it was cracked—she left.

Not even a minute later, the soft sound of her violin danced into my ears. I followed its sound all the way to Reyna's old room, and I watched as tears fell from her eyes despite them being shut. She rocked with the music of her violin as the strings vibrated in tragedy.

She must've felt my presence because she briefly opened her eyes to look at me. I raised my hand and gave her a thumbs-up. Her music faltered as she stared at my hand.

Then, just as she began to play again, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled away from the door to answer it. The moment I put the phone to my ears, my heart dropped.

"They're alive!"

—

I'm laying in bed right now, probably depressed, and procrastinating homework. I love that for me! Anyways, wyd?

Question: how are we loving this new side of Saint?