Scarlett The Devil's Daughter (7 page)

We are so busy that I don't have a chance to
talk to Dylan. He seems brighter than yesterday and I am glad to
see that he is almost back to his old self. He enjoys teasing Drake
and I and all in all the entire shift is a good one. Drake asked if
I would go back to his grandparent's house after work with him and
I can't wait. However just before we close my brother Ash comes
into the bar and even before he speaks I know what he is going to
say. He looks at me with the usual hard expression. "Scarlett
you're to go straight home after closing. Dad wants a word with you
and he insisted I come and tell you." Scowling at him I almost see
the pity in his eyes and then it is replaced with indifference.
Sighing heavily I tell Drake what he said and he looks at me with
disappointment. "Never mind Scarlett. Why don't you come in early
tomorrow and we can do something before the bar opens." I nod
excitedly. "That would be good. What do you have in mind?" Looking
sexily at me he raises his eyes. "It might be best if you choose,
because what I have in mind might not go down too well with your
father." I blush and he laughs. On the ride home it is all that I
can think of. The thought of being closer with Drake is all I have
thought of since I first saw him that first day in the bar. I have
never wanted anyone as much as I do him. I curse my father for
summoning me home and not for the first time I wonder what he is up
to.

To my surprise he is waiting for me in the
garage. I see him watching me as I put the bike away and I set my
face into its usual blank expression. He almost looks amused and
then he raises his eyes. "I haven't seen you since I gave you that
bike, maybe I should take it away again, at least I would have some
sort of control over you." I feel afraid as I hear him speak. The
last thing I want is to lose my freedom that the bike gives me so I
shrug saying, "Well I'm here now." He looks at me intently and I
feel uncomfortable under his scrutiny. After what seems like ages
he says curtly, "Follow me." I lag behind him a bit and shoot
daggers into his back with my eyes. Suddenly he laughs and turns
around and I can see his eyes are as dark as the night. "Your stare
could kill a man stone dead Scarlett, I like that, it impresses
me." Scowling even more he once again laughs and I realise that he
thrives on my anger. Pasting a sickly smile on my face I turn
towards him saying, "And how was your day father dear." My sarcasm
isn't lost on him and his eyes flash dangerously. "Cut the quick
remarks Scarlett. I told you before that you need to spend more
time with your family when you are here. When I got you that job it
wasn't for you to spend every waking hour there. Now why would you
want to I wonder?" Now I know what this is about. He has worked out
or found out about Drake. I wonder where there is all going. As we
walk inside he says, "You know that I placed you there for a reason
don't you Scarlett?" I nod feeling nervous. I am sure that I won't
like what I am about to hear. He arches his eyebrows and stares at
me intently. "I have offered to buy the bar from the Bennigan
family. I have offered them a good price but they won't sell. I
know that they are struggling so it doesn't make sense to me. Do
you know why they won't sell?" Swallowing hard my mind races as I
think of what I can tell him. He is watching me with a hard
expression and I know that I won't get away with lying. In a small
voice I say, "Because it is not enough for them to pay off their
debts and pay for their father's medical bills and Drake's college
fees. Dylan thinks that if he can just hold on something will come
up and he can save the family." My father's eyes flash and he
laughs a hollow laugh. "And that something is the prize money that
he hopes to win by beating Marius is it? Not much of a plan don't
you think?" I can't help it and look daggers at him. He laughs and
then grabs hold of my arm. I can feel his power flowing through my
body as he searches me entirely looking for anything that I haven't
told him. I try to fight the feeling but he is too strong. He pulls
away and a smile flashes across his lips. "Good girl Scarlett. I
can tell that you know his plan is doomed. You do know that I
always get what I want in the end. They may fight it but it will be
inevitable." I look down so that he can't see my expression. I
follow him inside and before we reach the kitchen he stops and
turns to face me. He says softly, "Keep on working there Scarlett.
I can tell that it makes you happy, however don't fall too deeply
always keep something back because that is what you will call upon
when you need it most. Remember at this stage of your life nothing
lasts forever despite what you think you want. Just remember to
keep on watching and listening, you never know when what you have
learned will help you."

He turns away and as I follow him into the
kitchen my heart sinks as I see that we have a full house
tonight.

Luna cries out in delight when she sees me
and I notice the sullen faces of my brothers and sisters who look
like they would rather be anywhere than here. Grabbing a drink from
the fridge I set myself apart from the others and grab a chair in
the corner of the room where I can see everything but they can't
see me. It annoys me when I catch my father watching me looking
amused. He moves over and stands behind Luna. I watch in disgust as
he runs his hands around her waist and pulls her back against him.
She giggles and her eyes shine as she looks around at us all.
Suddenly she claps her hands and we all look up in surprise. "Can I
have your attention everyone?" I notice the smirks on the twin's
faces and the surprised expression on my brothers and want to
laugh. Luna beams around the room and says excitedly. "Now that
you're all here I can tell you all together. Scarlett and I were
talking this morning and decided that it would be great if we all
had a family fun day." She smiles over to me and I shrink back into
my seat with horror as I feel the effects of the hostility from my
siblings. My father looks as if he is finding it all hilarious and
his eyes sparkle as he looks around at us all. Luna carries on.
"Well I have spoken to your father and he agreed that it was a
great idea, so here's the plan. Despite the fact that I fancied a
family picnic with games and everything he decided that it would be
better if we all went to watch Marius fight as a family to show our
support. Maybe we can grab a meal out beforehand and just enjoy
being one big happy family." Caleb snorts and then after a
withering look from my father looks down to the ground. There is a
stunned silence and Luna takes it to mean that we are happy about
it. Looking up at my father she smiles lovingly at him. "See honey,
I told you they'd love the idea." Ashley raises her eyes up. "If I
wanted to watch Marius fight I'd just follow him around one
evening, I mean where's the fun in this?" Luna's eyes widen. "Oh no
Ashley, Marius just trains a lot. This would be the result of all
his hard training and we must support him and encourage him." Under
her breath Savannah says, "Well he sure trains a lot." Ashley
nudges her and they stifle their grins. Marius looks angry though.
"I don't want my family coming, it will put me off." My father
looks at him sternly. "Nonsense I won't hear another word about it.
It's about time we showed a united front to the town and this is
the perfect opportunity. I won't hear anything more about it. We
will all get behind Marius and support him end of story." Luna
smiles happily around at everyone and my father takes her hand.
"Come on Luna, let's leave the kids alone now and give them their
space." She follows him out and we can hear her saying, "You're
such a good father Dev baby, they are so lucky to have you." As
soon as they're gone Caleb laughs hollowly. "Yes how lucky are we.
Shall we put him forward for father of the year?" He starts
mimicking saying, "Oh yes Judge I learned everything I know about
violence, intimidation, cruelty oh and how to get what I want by
hurting everyone around me. Such a great guy." Ashley laughs.
"You've learned it all so well brother, what a star pupil you have
been. I'm just surprised it's not you fighting in the ring." Caleb
grins wickedly. "I'm more a lover than a fighter; I leave the show
boating to Marius." Savannah giggles. "Yeah well not much of a
lover from what I've heard." Then she holds up her little finger
and wiggles it in his face. We all freeze as we see the look on
Caleb's face. He moves right in front of her his expression
threatening. Ashley moves beside her sister and they create a stony
wall facing him. In a sinister voice he says, "Your High School
humour may work on those idiots you call friends and those that you
bully and intimidate but it doesn't work on me." He laughs evilly.
"What you have yet to realise little sis is that you need more than
a sharp tongue and sarcastic remarks to survive in this family.
Enjoy your freedom whilst you can because as soon as your education
is finished you will be put to work and let me tell you it aint
gonna be pleasant. Your smart words and pathetic attempt at humour
won't save you from what your future holds, so enjoy it whilst it
lasts and I will look forward to the day when all of this comes
back and bites you." He then pushes her roughly and storms out
closely followed by Ash and Marius. The twins look at each other
and raise their eyes. I almost think that they have forgotten that
I'm here until they turn to look at me. Ashley says irritably,
"Well done Scarlett. This is all your fault. If you hadn't have
pandered to Luna's daft idea we wouldn't be in this mess. The last
thing we want is to spend cosy family bonding time with this family
of losers. Think before you open your mouth next time you stupid
bitch." Slowly I push myself out of my seat. Walking slowly over to
them both I fix them with my deadliest stare and with a sneer say,
"It takes one to know one sister and I learned everything I know
about being a first class bitch from watching you over the years,
so coming from you it's praise indeed." Turning on my heels I stalk
out of the room leaving them both staring after me angrily.

The next day I leave earlier than usual as I
promised to meet Drake. I can see him waiting for me as I grind to
a halt outside the bar. Seeing his gorgeous face looking at me with
so much love sends shivers down my spine. After the hatred of last
night it is more than welcome. I can't run to him quickly enough
and in surprise he holds me tightly against him as I hug him.
"What's up Scarlett?" He says pulling away and looking gently into
my eyes. Reaching up I kiss him softly and relax into him. "I just
missed you that's all. I had a horrible evening and couldn't get
out of the house fast enough. I don't think that there is anyone in
that house that I get on with and it is nothing like I feel when I
am here with you." Smiling gently at me Drake pulls me close and
kisses me deeply. "Come on then darlin, let's go and be girlfriend
and boyfriend." He puts his arm around my shoulder and we head off.
I know that he is taking me to his grandparent's house and my
father's words ring in my ears. Despite what he says I don't care.
If I want to get close to Drake I will, I mean he is a fine one to
talk anyway and as for my brothers. No I am going to follow the
family motto and just do whatever I want to regardless of the
consequences and let him just try and stop me.

We spend a delicious morning making out at
his grandparents house. All we want is to be close and spend the
morning on the couch kissing and cuddling. It is with heavy hearts
that we drag ourselves back to the bar for our shifts. Once again
Dylan is cross with us as he has had to open up by himself. Drake
whispers, "Sorry Scarlett, he's on edge at the moment what with the
situation here and the fight next week, he's not normally like
this." I give him a worried smile and he squeezes my hand before
heading off to re stock the bar. I am worried about them both. They
are too young to have all of this on their shoulders. Dylan should
be enjoying College and Drake High School. Thinking about Drake I
hope that he can pursue his music career as it would be a waste of
a good talent otherwise. As its quiet I make Dylan a coffee and go
off in search of him. Somebody needs to take care of him and I
can't see a queue forming at the door. I find him in his office
once again poring over the paperwork. He looks up and smiles and
gratefully takes the coffee that I hand him. "Thanks darlin, you're
a life saver." Perching on the edge of the desk I indicate the
paperwork. "Still ploughing through it all I see. Can't anyone else
help you with it?" He shakes his head ruefully. "No, I have to get
it all in some sort of order for Mr Anderson. He is coming in later
on and I am supposed to have done it all already." Thinking hard I
look at the clock on the wall. "Listen Dylan, it's just an idea and
say no if you want to but I could organise it all for you and just
pull out the things that need signing. I'm quite quick and I do all
of this sort of stuff for my mom. You would need to cover me in the
bar but it would probably only be for an hour." Dylan looks at me
gratefully. "Would you do that for me, really? I mean I don't want
to put you out." I laugh softly. "Look I just want to help you. I
know it's tough for you all at the moment and I'm available so why
not. It will give me something to do other than tables to clean and
I quite enjoy it." Dylan jumps up and hugs me. "Thanks Scarlett,
now I'm getting out of here before you change your mind. Anything
you need just holler, ok?" I laugh as he leaves obviously in a
great hurry to get away from the paperwork. I wasn't lying when I
said I was used to it. My mom isn't very good at any of it so I
sort of took it on when I was old enough. This will take me no time
at all.

I set to work and have soon organised the
piles of papers into sections. I order them in urgency and put
everything that is overdue or imminent in one pile and organise the
rest by date. The desk soon looks a lot tidier and I sit back proud
of myself. I decide to look through the imminent pile and make sure
that it is all in order for Mr Anderson. It is mainly due or
overdue invoices but there are some forms that require a signature.
One is for the licence renewal so I put it aside for Dylan to sign.
The other form is to renew the Insurance. As I read through it I am
surprised that they don't take out a full contents and buildings
Insurance. This one just appears to be a basic one just covering
for accidental damage and public liability. I notice that it is due
on the same day as the fight which shouldn't mean anything but
somehow it does to me. As I look at it something goes off in my
brain. I am not sure what but I know that something is going on. I
have no idea what it could be but somehow know this paper is
significant. The door opens and Drake pokes his head around it.
"You ok Scarlett? Sorry to ask but the lunch time crowd is in and
we could sure use a hand." I jump up and go to help but I can't get
the feeling out of my head that something is about to happen.