Scarlett The Devil's Daughter

-1

Scarlett

(Part 2 of The Hardcastle Saga)

(Part 3 of The Hardcastle Saga)

sjcrabb.com

Copyrighted Material

Copyright S J Crabb 2016

S J Crabb has asserted her rights under the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the
Author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction and except in
the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may
be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission
of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages
for review purposes only.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Note From The Author

Falcondell

So this is Bennigan's, my soon
to be home from home. As I stand outside I take in the outside of
the bar that my father has arranged for me to work at for the
summer. It looks ok from the outside, quite smart really, knowing
my father though he has an ulterior motive for getting me this job.
Not wanting to think about him for a moment more than necessary I
take a deep breath and push open the door in front of me.

Loud music greets me as I enter
the dim interior. Looking around me I can tell that it is popular.
The noise levels alone indicate that and the fact that it is so
busy on a Monday speaks volumes. As I venture in further I see that
the clientele leaves a lot to be desired. Groups of men are
congregated around large screens watching the game and shouting and
cheering as their team scores. Despite the early hour they are
knocking back the beers and my heart sinks. Keeping my eyes down I
head towards the bar. As I reach it I lift my gaze and just for a
minute my breath leaves my body. Two gorgeous brown eyes are
staring intently at me which I see belong to a guy about my age. He
has dark brown hair that is slightly unruly and has a wild look
about him. I notice that he is wearing a black T shirt that must be
slightly too small for him as it clings to his body like a second
skin and his bulging biceps are decorated with intricate tattoos
that look like some form of dark symbolism.

Swallowing hard I try to focus
and re set the frozen mask of in difference on to my face. He
appears to be watching me with amusement which instantly gets my
back up. He is probably used to favourable reactions from women
given the fact that he is obviously not human; I mean perfection
like that doesn't exist in the real world, well at least not in
mine. His eyes flash mischievously and he smiles. "Can I help you?"
Shaking myself inwardly I gather myself together. "My name is
Scarlett Knight and I am here regarding the job that my father has
set up for me, you may be expecting me." Looking interested he nods
and shouts, "Dylan, new recruits here." Looking over I can see that
he has called to another man further down the bar. He looks
slightly older but I can tell that they are related due to certain
similarities in their appearance. Dylan comes over and smiles at me
and his eyes sparkle. "Pleased to meet you, Scarlett isn't it? My
dad's told us to expect you. I'm Dylan and this is my baby brother
Drake." Flashing them a brief smile I nod. "Hi, pleased to meet you
too." I feel a bit awkward as they both openly stare at me. I may
not be the prettiest girl around but I know that I can hold my own.
My sisters choose to make the most of their assets but I prefer to
dress down and try to blend into the background. Unlike them I
don't like to draw attention to myself and just aim to get by as
best I can by occupying the shadows. When you come from a family
like mine that is actually quite a difficult thing to do and I
pride myself on my privacy and ability to get by unnoticed.

Dylan looks at me with
interest. "You're nothing like I thought you'd be." Annoyed I snap,
"What were you expecting some sort of busty Hooters style blonde or
something." The brothers laugh out loud and Drake says, "She knows
you so well already bro, you'll have to watch her, before long your
secrets won't be secrets any more." Dylan grins. "Come on Scarlett,
I'll grab you a T Shirt and show you how it all works around here."
As I follow him I can feel Drake's eyes burning into my back. There
is something about him that I can't quite fathom out. I soon will
though, let's just say it's a family trait. All of my family have
the ability to discover everything about a person just by touching
them. We know what they like and don't like and what their fears
are. Kind of handy in some ways and I look forward to using it on
him.

Dylan hands me a similar black
T Shirt to the one that they have on and I quickly put it on over
the vest top that I am wearing. He looks at me appreciatively which
makes me scowl and he laughs as he sees my expression, which only
makes me even more annoyed. "Come on Scarlett, I'll show you around
and then you can start by clearing tables. Maybe tomorrow you can
progress on to the next level of your training." Raising my eyes I
look at him with a blank expression. "And what would that be?" He
winks and grins saying, "Taking orders."

I soon set to work clearing the
tables. It is mind numbingly boring but at least it gives me
something to do. I have been dreading this summer. I live with my
mom in Rivercreek Falls for most of the time. My parents split up
when I was very young and I don't see my father much, which is
actually a really good thing. I hate him with a passion. There is
no love there at all and I can't even begin to imagine what my mom
ever saw in him. Unfortunately for me I have to spend all my
holidays with him and his many other children. It appears that he
has had many wives along the way and I have two sisters and four
brothers. The only ones that share the same mother are the twins,
Ashley and Savannah. Just thinking about my sisters makes me want
to hurl. They are the complete opposite of me and everything that I
despise. My brothers aren't much better and I avoid them all as
much as I can, which is easy as they appear to detest me as much as
I do them. Yes, this job is a godsend really because it keeps me
away from all of them.

As I work I keep on catching
sight of Drake as he works. There is something about him that
intrigues me. Occasionally I catch his eye and I almost melt inside
when he smiles or winks at me. Not that I would ever let him see
the effect he has on me, no I am a master of the guarded
expression. Most people think of me as difficult and surly. I have
a very small group of friends back home which suits me fine. I know
that if I wanted to it could be so different. I could rule the
school if I wanted to, which I most definitely do not want to do.
Girls are scared of me and boys just want to possess me. Well I'm
not interested in any of it and all I want is to fade into the
shadows and forget who I am and where I come from.

By the end of my first shift my
feet ache and I am exhausted. Not from the physical work, no that
doesn't bother me. I am just exhausted at fending off the advances
and gropes of the customers who obviously think that they have free
reign to use all of the facilities, even the staff. It's not just
me; I watch the women flirting with Drake and Dylan and notice many
a phone number passed across the bar towards them. I watch it all
in disgust. Some people have no pride; I hope that I will never be
one of those women. What annoys me the most though is the prickle
of jealousy that I get when Drake smiles at or chats to one of the
women. I must get a grip, he is off limits and I tell myself that I
am not interested.

As we clear up Dylan shouts
over to me. "Great job Scarlett, you're a good worker. Same time
tomorrow?" I nod in agreement making sure that my expression is
blank. As I grab my stuff Drake says, "Do you need a lift
Scarlett?" I look at him in surprise and he looks almost
embarrassed. "Look, I don't want you walking home by yourself at
night, especially with some of our customers still roaming around."
I allow him a brief smile. "Thanks but I have a ride." Suddenly I
hear the sound of a motorbike outside. "I think that's it, see you
tomorrow." As I turn I think I see a disappointed expression pass
across his face but then it is gone. Shrugging he just says, "Ok,
fine. See you tomorrow." As I close the door behind me I realise
that I am very much looking forward to tomorrow.

I can see one of my brothers
waiting for me on his motorbike and shudder inside. Caleb is my
least favourite. Typical that he was sent to pick me up. He looks
annoyed and shouts over, "Hurry up will you I've got a hot date
tonight and the last thing I want to do is ferry you around."
Biting back a retort I plant myself behind him on the bike. I
learnt at a very young age not to antagonise him. He lives with my
father full time alongside our other brother Marius. They
absolutely hate us descending on them every holiday and make our
lives hell. They spend most of their lives creating trouble and are
feared throughout the town. Luckily it isn't far and he drops me
off home before roaring away into the night. I pity the poor girl
that will have to deal with him tonight.

I try to slip inside the house
before anyone notices me. All I want is to go to my room and hide.
I can hear the television blaring out from the den and turn towards
the stairs but before I can make it I hear voices coming and as I
look I see my father's latest girlfriend coming out of the kitchen
talking on her phone. Noticing me she says into the phone, "Got to
go babes, talk soon." Fixing a sugary grin on to her face she stops
in front of me. "Hiya honey, have you had a good time." Smothering
a derisive snort I merely smile politely. "I started a new job
today Luna, fun didn't really come into it." Looking surprised she
says, "Why on earth are you working honey? Surely you've come here
to relax for the summer, not work away in some god awful place."
Shrugging I look at her blankly. "Ask my father, he arranged it."
She emits a shrill laugh and raises her eyes. "What's he like, I
mean it's not as if you need the money is it? No you should be with
Ashley and Savannah enjoying his membership at the country club.
They have had quite a day there what with tennis, lunch and
treatments in the spa. Let me have a word with him honey, I'll sort
it out don't you worry." I know she means well but quite honestly I
would prefer to work day and night rather than go anywhere with
them and especially to a country club. To my dismay she grabs hold
of my arm and propels me along to the kitchen. "Let me make you
something to eat honey. You must be starving." Actually I do feel
quite hungry so decide to follow her. She chatters on about nothing
and I tune out. Looney Luna I call her, a vapid bottle blonde with
the figure of a Victoria Secrets model. Just my father's type.
Despite the fact that everything she stands for disgusts me I do
actually quite like her. She means well and has a big heart. My
sisters get on well with her as she is into all of the things that
they are. In fact she isn't that much older than us and once again
I despise my father for his penchant for young girls.

Luna makes me a sandwich which
is surprisingly good. I didn't realise how hungry I was and am
grateful to her. As I finish up she hears the front door and heads
outside to see who it is. I hear her squeal excitedly and with a
sinking feeling realise that it must be my father. Quickly I grab
some leftovers and sprint to the stairs before he can prise her
face from his. The last thing I want is a conversation with
him.

Luckily I make it to my room
and kick the door shut and lock it. Finally I can relax. Dumping my
bag on the floor I jump on to my bed with the leftovers and press
the remote for the TV. I fully intend on staying here until I have
to leave for my shift tomorrow. As prisons go it's not so bad. My
father is certainly loaded and doesn't scrimp and scrape when it
comes to the material things in life. We live in the largest house
in town that he had purposefully built with all the latest mod cons
and gadgets. Each of us has our own room equipped with everything
that we could ever want. In fact all my life I have had whatever I
wanted materialistically speaking. When it comes to my emotional
well being - well the jury's out on that one. My mother is no
better and is just wrapped up in her new boyfriend and their life
together and I just get in the way. I have never had a loving
family to come home to which is probably like I am the way I am. My
thoughts turn strangely to Drake. There is something about him that
draws me to him and I'm not just thinking about his absolute
gorgeousness. No there's more to him than that, it's as though he
is vital to me in some way that I can't put my finger on.