Scarlett The Devil's Daughter (13 page)

I actually can't get there quickly enough. I
ride like the wind and as I approach the bar tears run down my
cheeks as I witness the devastation in front of me. I stop some way
from the bar and run towards it. The fire crews have cordoned it
off and I join a small crowd that have formed there. The bar is
gone. It has burned down to the ground and all that is left is a
smouldering pile of memories. Through the darkness I can make out
the figures of Drake and Dylan watching their pride and joy turn to
dust. Calling out to them I push forward and they turn to face me.
My breath catches in my throat as I see the true cost of the fire.
They have been destroyed along with the bar. I run to them and
Drake pulls me into his arms. "I'm so sorry Drake, what happened?"
I can feel his heart beating wildly and sense the tension within
him. "The chief says they think it came from the boiler. They're
not sure yet but will check it out tomorrow. Luckily it was empty
though and no one was hurt. When I think that we could all have
been in there when it went up it fills me with terror." I look over
at Dylan and see the results of my brother's punch dominating his
face. I hug him tightly. "I'm so sorry Dylan. Are you ok? I mean
you were knocked out and then had all of this to deal with. Are you
sure you shouldn't be in the hospital?" Dylan looks down and I can
tell that it is to disguise the tears. "No, physically I'm fine;
mentally I'm not so sure." We all stand together looking at the
smouldering wreck. There is absolutely nothing left. It must have
gone up like a firework. I am not sure how long we stand here for
but as the fire crews start to pack up I look at them both and say
gently. "Come on; let's get you both to your Grandparent's house.
I'll make you a hot drink and we can figure out what to do now."
Drake takes my hand and I take Dylan's. Now it's up to me to look
after them and I wouldn't want it any other way.

We sit and talk long into the night. Now is
not the time to discuss the future. They need to grieve for the
past first. It's too soon to look forward and I just listen as they
share their memories. By the time morning comes we have all fallen
asleep where we sit.

In the cold light of day we have to face
facts. Dylan and Drake decide that they need to talk it all out
with their parents. I don't want to intrude but need to give them
something before they make any decisions. Coughing nervously I
rummage in my bag and pull out a memory stick. I hand it to Dylan
and he looks at me questioningly. "It's a back up that I made of
your computer when I did your paperwork. Old habits and all and I
was going to give it to Drake to store here. I was always told that
you should keep a back up of your personal information separate
from where you work or live." They look at me incredulously. I
blush and say hesitantly. "I'm sorry but that's not all. When I
looked through your Insurance document I noticed that you only had
the contents and public liability. When I asked you Dylan you said
that you couldn't afford the full cover. Well I am sorry but I took
it on myself to search for different providers. I don't know why
but I don't trust Mr Anderson and I managed to find you a better
deal with another company. I cancelled the one that you had and
took out the new one. You will find that you are fully covered for
every eventuality for the same cost. I think that Mr Anderson must
have been getting a payout to keep you locked in to your usual
provider. Well once the cause of the fire is determined then I am
sure that you will receive a huge payout." They look at me in
stunned disbelief. I feel nervous wondering if they will be angry
that I interfered. They may even put two and two together and
suspect that I knew all along. However the look that they give me
tells me differently. I see the worry in their eyes evaporate
before mine. Suddenly they can see a different picture and it is
full of hope. Drake crushes me to him and I can hear the emotion in
his voice. "Thank you Scarlett. You are obviously an Angel sent
from God to help us. I cannot love you anymore than I do at this
moment." Dylan pushes him away and hugs me equally as hard. "Thank
God that you came into our lives Scarlett. We love you so much and
cannot thank you enough." I pull away my cheeks flaming. They laugh
as they see my embarrassment and Drake lifts me up and swings me
around. "I am not letting you go Scarlett. You will have to stay
here now otherwise I will hunt you down and kidnap you and bring
you back here." I laugh and then suddenly remember the other part
of my plan. Once again I look at them warily. "I'm sorry guys but
there is more." They look at me with surprise and I sit down
nervously on the couch. "Well I sort of wanted to help you out and
when you told me about the fight Dylan I saw how I could." They sit
down opposite me and I see that I have their full attention. "Well
I took out all of my money from the bank. I gave some of it to
Caleb to put a bet on you knocking Marius out in the first round."
Dylan looks dumbstruck. Shaking his head he says, "But why, you
know that was never gonna happen?" I smile. "I know. I told Marius
that Layla would probably leave him if he beat you up. I said that
you two had a soft spot for each other and if she saw him hammer
you her sympathy would be with you. I paid the money just to mess
with his head. I wanted them to think that I knew something they
didn't and that is why I asked you to stand in front of Layla.
Marius would see her devastated face and with the thought that you
may be able to knock him out somehow I knew that he wouldn't want
to take the chance. This way you would sustain minimal damage and I
would make sure that you received a huge payout to equal the prize
money." Drake and Dylan are looking at me as if they are dreaming.
Drake says in a confused voice, "I don't understand what payout?"
Now I am extremely red and say, "I gave Mac the rest of the money
to put a bet on Marius knocking you out with the first punch. I had
already instructed my brothers to do the same and I also told Mac
to place a bet on it too. I knew the odds would be good but even
they didn't know how much I bet. Mac was reluctant at first but
luckily he came through. If I have calculated correctly he is
holding several thousands of dollars for you which should be enough
to help out with Drake's college fund. I know that was the reason
why you wanted to fight in the first place." Both of them look at
me with a mixture of delight, surprise and admiration. Drake
recovers first and once again pulls me to him tightly. I can feel
the tears running down his cheeks as he gulps, "Thank you Scarlett.
I don't know what else to say. We don't deserve what you have done
for us. You must have your money back though. I couldn't possibly
take that." Dylan just sits there in total shock and I can see his
mind working. Nodding I say, "You can pay me back what I withdrew
but not a penny more. I am too young to gamble and I don't want to
get in trouble." The two of them look at me incredulously and then
laugh so loudly that I grin at them both. Wiping his eyes Dylan
says, "Scarlett, I have a feeling that you couldn't care less about
getting into trouble. What you have done is nothing short of a
miracle. You have given us choices when there were none. We will
never be able to repay you and will be forever in your debt." I
shake my head furiously. "You owe me nothing. For the first time in
my life I know what it feels like to be part of something. You both
made me feel so welcome and gave me more than money could ever buy.
I will never forget that and as far as I'm concerned I am in your
debt. I am just glad that I could help you when you most needed
it." They both crush me to them in a group hug and I feel as though
I am finally where I belong.

The next few days pass in a blur. I spend as
much time as I can with Drake and just do whatever they ask of me
to help out. One evening we are at his Grandparents house alone and
just enjoy spending some time together whilst we can. I am due to
leave in two days time and we are both feeling extremely depressed.
Things have worked out for them all. They accepted my father's
offer to buy the bar and it was a relief to them to be finally free
from it. Dylan is going to take the scholarship and is busy sorting
out colleges and all that goes with it. The betting money has been
put away for Drake's college fund and his parents are going to use
the rest of the money to re model their grandparent's house so that
it is suitable for his father and mother to live in. They were only
renting their current house as it had to be practical for his
father. This way they now have enough money to live on without
working and their son's futures are planned. I sigh as I lay next
to Drake and he pulls my face up to look at him. "What is it
Scarlett?" Sighing again I say, "I wish that I could stay here with
you Drake. For the first time ever I don't want to leave. I feel as
if my life is here with you now and it will be like I am leaving
part of myself behind." Drake kisses me and holds me tight. "Then
don't go Scarlett. Stay here and come to school with me. Have a
word with your father. I am sure he will sort it for you." As he
says the words I suddenly make the decision that I will at least
try. If it's at all possible then it would be worth living with him
and my brothers if it meant that I spent most of my time with Drake
and his family. Pulling back I suddenly feel excited. He laughs as
he sees my expression and says softly, "If anyone can pull this off
it's you Scarlett. I have no doubts about that at all."

I almost lose my resolve as I stand in front
of the door to my father's den. I know that I want this more than
anything but I am not sure if it's possible. I knock hesitantly and
hear his deep voice calling me in. He looks up as I enter and I see
him watching me with curiosity. He gestures to the seat in front of
him and I sink down into it nervously. He sits back in his chair
and his eyes flash as he senses my mood. "What can I do for you
Scarlett?" I fiddle with my hands and then raise my eyes to his. I
muster every ounce of willpower within me and look at him with a
hard expression. "I want to live with you and go to high school
here next semester." As I utter the words I feel relief that they
have made it out of my mouth. As I look at him I see the excitement
in his eyes. They almost look triumphant and then it is replaced by
a dark gleam. "Are you certain Scarlett? It's a big step and I made
a deal with your mother all those years ago. She may not like it."
I shrug my shoulders. "That's between the two of you. I expect that
she will be glad anyway as she doesn't ever have much time for me
anyway." He considers my words and then says darkly. "If it is what
you truly want then of course I will do all that I can. I will
contact your mother and arrange for your things to be sent. She can
come and see you if she wishes and you can visit her whenever you
like. I will contact the school and arrange your admission." He
sits back and I can feel his eyes penetrating my soul. I have got
what I came for so push back my chair and stand up. In a small
voice I say, "Thank you." As I turn to go he says in a low voice.
"Just so you know Scarlett, all of this was never about the bar." I
turn and look at him in surprise. He laughs, "I'm not saying that I
didn't want the bar. It is a good investment and will make me a lot
of money. However the prize was always much greater than that." I
raise my eyes saying, "Which was?" He moves towards me and stands
in front of me. "It was always about you Scarlett. You are my
daughter and I want you with me. You have great potential which you
have demonstrated so well over this visit. You are like me and I
look forward to spending many hours together teaching you how to
use your skills. No this wasn't about a business opportunity. The
reason I got you the job at the bar was to give you a reason to
want to stay."

His words rocket around my brain like
lightning. Of course, how could I have been so blind? Despite his
words it doesn't matter. It is true I do have a reason to stay. If
he thinks I am going to be an easy protégée for him then he can
think again. I know where I want to be and this will just be a
base. Shrugging I head for the door.

As I go into the kitchen I see Caleb sitting
down. He looks up and on seeing my expression he grins wickedly. "I
take it you're moving in little sis." I glare at him and he moves
across until he is standing right in front of me. Leaning down he
whispers, "Welcome to Hell."

The End

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