Scarlett The Devil's Daughter (5 page)

Dylan was right the place is soon packed out
and we don't have a minute to breathe. Hordes of young girls
descend on the place all with one target in mind. As well as the
regulars there are also lots of young guys hoping to take advantage
of the fact that all the talent in the town is in one place for the
night.

I am so busy that I almost forget about
Drake until I hear his guitar start playing. Suddenly I am frozen
to the spot as he starts to sing. His voice is amazing and the song
is beautiful. He is sitting on a stool the guitar resting on his
lap and I watch as his fingers caress the strings. I can't tear my
eyes away and lean back against the bar as my eyes and ears devour
him. He finds me and his eyes penetrate mine and it is as if we are
alone. I am rooted to the spot and tears come into my eyes. He is
so talented and I realise that he is a very accomplished musician.
He could go far with his talent and I am not surprised that there
is such a turnout.

Before long though I am back to work. I
listen to him as I work, his voice following me around the room.
Even the sight of the girls drooling over him doesn't bother me as
before. Now I know that he is mine and I feel a warm feeling inside
as I remember his kiss. The guys are the usual pests. I have now
lost count of the many hands that I have removed firmly from my
backside. It actually doesn't bother me because I can handle it.
One thing that does surprise me though is that absolutely nobody
tries anything on with Layla. Given how stunning she is I am
amazed. When we pass each other I comment on it. "Layla, how do you
keep the guys from grabbing you? You must have a technique that I
could sure use right now." Layla laughs and raises her eyes. "The
only technique I have is that they know who my boyfriend is. Nobody
wants to have him come after them so they keep their distance.
You're new here so are fair game. As soon as they realise who your
boyfriend is they'll leave you alone." She heads back off to
deliver her drinks and I wonder who her boyfriend is. A while later
Drake takes a break and I head into the kitchen to see him. As soon
as he sees me he grabs hold of me and kisses me deeply. When he
pulls away I say softly, "You are amazing Drake. I love to hear you
sing. You should do it professionally." He smiles but his eyes look
sad. "I wish that I could Scarlett. The trouble is I am needed
here. Maybe in the future if things change then it may be a
possibility, but not now." Before I can reply Dylan pops his head
around the door. "Come on guys the bars three deep out here."
Pulling away we rush out to help. By the time we have served most
of them it is time for Drake to carry on playing. As he takes up
his position I notice with a sinking feeling that my brothers have
arrived. Suddenly the atmosphere changes and becomes tenser. I feel
cross and wish that they would just stay away. I watch as they move
towards the bar. I notice that Caleb laughs as he sees me scowling
at them. Ignoring them I head off to clear some tables. As I carry
my tray to the kitchen I see Layla at the bar. Suddenly Marius
moves behind her and in shock I see him wrap his arm around her
waist and pull her around to face him. He leans down and kisses her
and I look up in shock at Dylan who suddenly looks devastated. It
all clicks into place and I realise that Marius is Layla's
boyfriend. Poor Dylan, Drake was right, he would stand no chance
with her all the time Marius was interested. Even though he is my
detested brother even I know that he is perfection. Like most of my
family he has dark hair and the blackest eyes. His body is well
toned and obviously works out a lot. Like the rest of my brothers
he can also charm any girl that he wants and from what I hear they
all want a lot. There is not a woman in here that hasn't devoured
him or any of my brothers come to mention it with their eyes.
Feeling irritated I look away from the scene in front of me. Layla
appears so lovely and it is only a matter of time before he drags
her down, probably destroying her in the process. It makes sense
now as to why they are here.

By the end of the night we are all
exhausted. There are only a few customers left when Dylan says,
"Thanks girls you've worked really hard tonight. We couldn't have
managed without you. You've really earned your money tonight." He
hands us our tips but I notice that Layla waves them away. "I don't
need those Dylan, it was a favour remember. Just say hi to your mom
for me ok." I see Dylan's eyes fill up and she places her hand over
his arm. "Stay strong Dylan, it won't be forever, you'll get
through this." She kisses him on the cheek and then turning to me
says, "Great to meet you Scarlett. I hope that everything works out
for you, Drake's a great guy." To my surprise she hugs me and then
I watch as her face lights up as Marius walks back into the bar.
She races over to him and he slings his arm around her shoulder and
they head off outside. By the time they leave and I turn around
Dylan has gone.

Drake comes over and pulls me towards him.
"I've missed you tonight Scarlett." Laughing I say, "I haven't been
anywhere." Shrugging he stares into my eyes. "All I have wanted to
do tonight is this." Then he leans down and kisses me so hard that
I feel as if my legs will give way. I savour the feeling of being
in his arms. The thought that I will have to leave at the end of
the Summer is already filling me with dread. Usually I can't wait
to get away, but now I'm not so sure.

We sit down and just cuddle up side by side
resting after the busy evening. Tentatively I ask him about his
parents. There is something they haven't told me that only came to
light when Layla refused her tips and I want to know what it
is.

"Drake, I've never asked you about your
parents. Tell me about them." I can feel Drake tense up and
instantly regret asking. I don't like it when people pry into my
life and here I am doing it to him. Quickly I say, "Listen don't
worry I shouldn't have asked." He sighs heavily and takes my hand
in his and squeezes it. "No it's fine Scarlett. A while back my
father was in a hunting accident. He was shot by mistake and nearly
lost his leg." I am horrified. "I'm sorry it must have been
terrible." Drake nods. "It was. Dylan had left school so had to
give up College and just started working here in his place. Mom had
to care for him as he couldn't do anything for himself. She also
used to work here so it meant we were shorthanded. I work when I'm
not at school and between us we manage to keep the place going. The
trouble is his medical expenses are huge and we don't have enough
medical cover, so even though this place takes a lot of money it is
just never enough." Thinking about their situation I say, "How is
he now, I mean will he fully recover?" Drake shakes his head
miserably. "He is in a wheelchair and will never walk again. That
rules him out of coming back here and he is so dependant on my mom
that she can't leave him for a second. It takes it toll on us all
so all Dylan and I can do is to run things here as best we can and
pray for a miracle." I lay my head on his shoulder and feel bad for
them. Drake kisses the top of my head and then changes his tone to
a more light hearted one. "Anyway darlin, you must get off home and
get some sleep. You haven't stopped all night and must be tired."
Despite the fact that I feel exhausted I am reluctant to leave.
However I know that he too needs some sleep so with a heavy heart I
get up to leave. Drake walks me to my bike and then I remember what
prompted me to ask the question in the first place. I take the tips
money out of my pocket and offer it to Drake. "Here take this. I
don't need it and I would like to help even if it's in a small
way." Drake looks angrily at me. "No Scarlett, you earned it and we
pay our way." Sighing I take his hand in mine. "Drake I know that
and I love you for it. However I have all the money I want and more
besides. Please let me help out in just this very small way. It's
not charity just helping out the family of the man I love." As I
say the words his eyes soften and even in the moonlight I can see
the love pouring out of them. He pulls me close to him and I savour
the feeling of his body against mine. He leans down and kisses me
gently. "I love you too Scarlett. I knew that I did from that first
time you scowled at me over the bar. I knew we were destined for
each other." I can feel my eyes shining and I hug him tightly to
me. I can only hope that something doesn't go wrong.

The house is quiet when I get home which I
am glad about. All I want is to get to bed and sleep. I am
exhausted as it's been such an eventful day.

I wake up fairly late the next day and just
spend a few minutes lying in bed re living the events of the day
before. When I think of Drake I still can't believe that he is now
my boyfriend. He is also so talented and I just hope that he
pursues it.

By the time I am dressed and ready and head
off downstairs the place is deserted. I am glad of it though and
set about making myself some breakfast. As I sit at the table I
once again marvel at the size of my father's house. This kitchen
alone would take up the blueprint of my entire house back at
Rivercreek. I imagine it to be a very empty place when we all leave
to go home after the summer.

I head off upstairs to get ready and as soon
as I reach the top step I hear voices down below in the hallway.
Peering over the banisters I see my father walking in with a man in
a suit. I can't hear what they are saying and I watch as they make
their way to my father's den. It doesn't take me long and I am soon
ready. As I leave my room I come across Luna coming out of her and
my father's room. She has obviously slept in as she is in a robe
and looks dishevelled and sleepy. She sees me and smiles brightly.
"Scarlett honey, good to see you. How are you today?" I smile back
at her. "Great thanks Luna. Are you ok, you're not ill are you?"
She laughs and raises her eyes up. "No just exhausted. I had a lie
in to try and get over the events of last night." She sees my
puzzled expression and smiles and raises her eyes up. "I went out
with your father to some sort of function, I can't even remember
what it was all for. I had rather a lot to drink and we were back
quite late. What about you honey how was your day yesterday?" I
know that I am grinning and just smile. She looks at me with a
knowing smile and then squeals excitedly. "Oh my God honey I
recognise that look. You met someone didn't you?" Laughing I raise
my finger to my lips. "Ssh don't tell anyone, they are the last
people I want knowing my business." Luna giggles. "Don't worry it
will be our secret. You must tell me all about him later. We can
have a girly chat. I know we can go to the spa and have massages
and you can tell me it all then. Oh please say you will it will be
such fun?" Feeling cross with myself I wonder how to let her down
gently. The thought of going to the spa for a girly chat makes me
want to kill myself. Trying to paste a sorry look on my face I say,
"I would love to Luna but I will have to pass. I have to work again
today and won't be back until late, maybe another time." She looks
cross. "You poor girl. I can't think what has possessed your father
to make you work so hard in that bar. I will have a word with him
and tell him to get you out of it. It's just not fair on you."
Quickly I say, "Please don't Luna, its ok really. I enjoy it and it
doesn't feel like work really." She shrugs and then walks with me
downstairs. "Anyway honey, just say the word if you change your
mind. Have a good day, oh and I nearly forgot. I bought you some
great new clothes yesterday on my shopping trip. I will put them in
your room and you can try them on later. I think you will like them
and I didn't want you to feel left out of the fun." I groan
inwardly. If she has so much as bought me one dress I am going to
run screaming from this house forever. Instead I plaster a smile on
my face and say, "Thanks Luna you are very kind." I make a quick
exit and head towards the garage.

By the time I have sorted out the motorbike
I notice that my father's guest is leaving. I watch as he gets into
a dark green car and drives away. I am quite surprised that he came
to the house as from what I understand my father doesn't like doing
business at home. He has an office block in the town from which to
control his empire. Pushing all thoughts of my father out of my
mind I once again head off to work.

When I enter the bar it is strangely
deserted. I think that I must be the only one in here and it feels
odd. Heading out the back I hear raised voices coming from the
office. I can't help but hear Drake shouting and freeze on the
spot. "I won't let you do this Dylan, its suicide." Dylan replies
angrily, "We don't have a choice if I succeed then all our problems
will be over and we can start our lives over again. Surely it's
worth the risks involved." There is a small silence and I feel bad
for listening. Then Drake says in a broken voice. "Please bro,
don't do this. I'll think of something else. I can't risk anything
happening to you too, it's not fair on the rest of us especially
mom." I can't hear what Dylan says and I decide that I had better
let them know I'm here as I don't want them to think I'm spying on
them. I call out, "Is anyone in this place or am I working on my
own today?" The door to the office flies open and Drake comes
storming out. When he sees me he grabs my hand and pulls me into
the bar. I can see that he is angry and upset which is unlike him.
"What's wrong Drake, has something happened?" He pulls me tightly
against him and I can hear his heart pounding in his chest. He says
in a tight voice, "No it's fine. Just a minor disagreement with
Dylan. Brothers hey?" I try to lighten his mood. "Tell me about it.
At least yours is Dylan and there's only one of him. Imagine having
four total nightmares to live with, it's no wonder I work." Pulling
back he looks at me softly and appears to shake himself. "I'm sorry
Scarlett that's not the sort of welcome I want to give my
girlfriend." As I hear the words a delightful shiver runs through
me. His girlfriend- how I like the sound of that. He leans down and
his lips brush against mine gently. Then he kisses me more
passionately and as we kiss I can feel the despair within him. I
try to read his thoughts but all I can sense is his fear. Whatever
it is they were arguing about is serious, that much I do know.