Scarlett The Devil's Daughter (11 page)

After lunch I head back off to the bar. I am
going to put in a shift this afternoon and am looking forward to
seeing Drake again. I also have another reason for going and hope
that it will go according to plan. When I pull up Drake comes out
to meet me. Pulling me off the bike he swings me around and kisses
me passionately. "I've missed you so much Scarlett." I look at his
gorgeous face and try to memorise every detail. We don't have much
longer as I am due to return home next week. I hug him to me
tightly. "I love you Drake. I can't bear it that time is slipping
away so fast." Drake looks upset. "I try not to think about it.
Come on let's go inside. Dylan needs us to take his mind off
tomorrow night. He's so wound up and I am worried for him." I take
his hand and we head off inside.

We spend the most part of the afternoon
trying to lighten the atmosphere. None of feel much like joking
around but we at least try to. When I see them both busy in the bar
I slip off to the kitchen. When I get there I see Mac working away.
I don't have long and quickly head over to him. He looks up in
surprise as I pull him aside. "Listen Mac, I don't suppose you
could do me a favour could you. It's just that I have no one else
to ask." He nods and looks at me with a puzzled expression. I reach
into my pocket and pull out an envelope stuffed with $100 dollar
bills. His eyes widen and I put my finger to my lips. "Listen Mac I
need you to put all this money on Marius to knock Dylan out with
his first punch. The odds should be good so I thought it was worth
a risk. There's a $100 there for you to either keep or do the same.
Nobody must know it's me as I don't want to upset Drake and Dylan
and I'm too young to bet anyway." Mac looks worried. "It's a lot of
money Scarlett, are you sure you can afford to lose it?" I realise
that Mac doesn't know about my life and probably thinks this is my
life savings. I shake my head. "Look it's not mine, it's for a
friend. I just need you to keep this between ourselves ok?" Mac
nods and pockets the money. I know that I can trust him and head
back to the bar. Now everything is in place. All I need is one word
with Dylan and the stage will be set.

I seize my chance when we are working side
by side at the bar. Taking his arm I draw him to one side. "How are
you bearing up Dylan? It must be a lot to think about with the
fight tomorrow." Dylan tries to smile but I can tell that he's
worried. "Oh I'll be fine. You know I'm tougher than I look." He is
trying to joke but I know that he doesn't even believe it himself.
I lower my voice. "Listen Dylan, just a word of advice. When you
face Marius in the ring just make sure that you stand with your
back to Layla. She is bound to be in the first or second row and
you must stand just in front of her." Dylan looks surprised. "Why
on earth should I do that?" I shrug my shoulders. "Call it
intuition or superstition. In fact call it what you want but just
do it for me ok?" Dylan laughs and ruffles my hair. "You're a
strange girl Scarlett. Nice strange though, I'm going to miss my
favourite worker." Drake comes over and pulls me against him.
"You're not the only one bro. How can we persuade her to stay?"
Dylan looks thoughtful. "I'm guessing that we can't persuade
Scarlett to do anything. If she can find a way she will, there's no
one I'm more sure about than her."

The day of the big fight dawns and with a
heavy heart I make my way downstairs for breakfast. I know that I
am expected to be home at a reasonable hour to go there with my
family so I have offered to cover Dylan this afternoon at the bar
so that he can prepare for the fight. The bar will be closed as
will be most places in town this evening. This is a big event and
it seems that the whole town are turning out to watch.

Luna is making pancakes and I am surprised
to see that it is just us girls in the kitchen. Luna squeals when
she sees me. "Scarlett, how nice. Come and have some pancakes. They
are my breakfast speciality and you can have them with blueberries
or maple syrup." Sitting down I grab a plate. "Blueberries please
Luna." Ashley and Savannah look at me with their usual disgust and
Ashley says, "Not long now Scarlett. We'll be out of here this time
next week and I for one can't wait to get home." Savannah snorts.
"Yes it's been hell for us being stuck here all Summer. Most of our
gang are back at home and have been having a great time. Not us
though. If I see that damn country club ever again I'm gonna slit
my wrists." Luna looks upset. "I'm sorry girls haven't you enjoyed
yourselves?" I look at her sympathetically. "Of course we have
Luna. You've been great and I for one am going to miss you
terribly. You couldn't have done any more for us than you have and
I am sure we all really appreciate your efforts." Luna gives me a
small smile and Ashley and Savannah raise their eyes. "I'm sure
that Luna can't wait to get us out of her hair. I know I would
count the days off if I was in her shoes." Luna looks upset and I
know that she has enjoyed having our company no matter how brief it
always is. It must be quite lonely for her living here. My father
is always working and Caleb and Marius are hardly likely to sit
around chatting to her. In fact I am not sure what she does with
her time and I feel bad that I haven't got to know her better.

She clears the dishes away and I go to help
her. Waving me away she sniffs saying, "Leave all this Scarlett. It
will give me something to do. You just go and spend some time with
that boyfriend of yours." Ashley and Savannah look interested and
Savannah giggles. "I can't wait to see what type of guy would ask
Scarlett out. I bet he's one of those hillbilly types with his
brains in his trousers." Ashley laughs, "Either that or blind. I
mean Scarlett's hardly much of a woman is she, more like a tomboy
riding in on her motorbike. Word of advice Scarlett, if you want a
real catch ditch the leathers and dye your hair. Put on some
fashionable clothes and practice being a girl for once." Savannah
laughs and I just glare at them and storm out of the room. In some
ways next week can't come soon enough as they will be gone from my
life for a few months anyway.

Drake and I hold the fort at the bar and it
is strangely quiet. Drake is down I can tell and I try to keep his
spirits up. "Don't worry Drake, Dylan will be ok." Drake looks
upset. "I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to him.
Things are bad enough at the moment without anything else going
wrong. To top it all you're leaving next week and you are the only
thing that is good in my life. The thought of going back to school
and not seeing you again until Christmas is unbearable." I wrap my
arms around him and hug him tightly. "I know Drake, I'm the same.
Despite where I have to live when I'm here I've had the best Summer
ever and it's all down to you."

We decide not to do any more work and just
sit together in one of the booths. Luckily nobody comes in and
after a while we decide to close up. We can't concentrate on much
anyway. Drake heads off to help Dylan prepare. He is going to
assist him by the ring so I won't get to see much of him before the
fight. I have to go with my family which I am not looking forward
to. Whilst Drake closes up I head off to find Mac. He gives me the
thumbs up when he sees me and I smile with relief. Drake walks me
to my bike and draws me close. He tilts my face towards his and
kisses me gently. "Don't worry Scarlett. I know this is gonna be
hard for you to watch. It's not going to be much fun watching your
brother beat up your boyfriend's brother and I just want to let you
know that we won't expect you to show support for us. Your family
have to come first its only right." Tears run down my face. They
are such lovely people and I couldn't imagine my family being so
understanding. Wiping my tears away he kisses me gently. "Will I
see you after?" I nod. "Of course, as soon as I can I'll make my
escape. I'll meet you back here." Drake smiles sexily. "No, meet me
at my grandparent's house. I want to spend the night with you. The
thought of that will keep me going through this hellish evening."
We kiss again, but somehow I doubt that we will make it there
tonight.

Once I get home I get ready for the fight. I
put on some of the clothes that Luna bought me. The black jeans fit
me like a second skin and she has chosen a beautiful dark blue
chiffon top. I finish it off by choosing a well fitted short black
jacket and put a cool silver necklace around my neck. I wear flat
ballerina type shoes and hope that it is the sort of stuff that
people wear to these things. Leaving my long dark hair loose I just
brush it until it gleams. I finish off my makeup and grab my bag.
This is sure going to be a long night.

By the time I get downstairs most of the
others are waiting. Only Marius isn't here. Luna looks amazing and
is dressed in the tightest dress with killer heels. She is wearing
the most gorgeous jewellery and her long blonde hair hangs down her
back like a sheet of gold. The twins also look amazing and I
suddenly feel just a little bit scruffy. Luna races over and hugs
me. "Scarlett you look amazing. Those clothes fit you so well and
you simply must show me how to do my eyes like yours before you
leave." Suddenly her eyes fill with tears and she turns away. "Oh
I'm sorry guys. The thought of you all leaving next week is making
me super emotional. I am such a wreck at the moment. I may just
have to get a dog when you've gone to fill the void." I have to
laugh at my father's expression. He is looking very smart and
extremely handsome as he stands by the bar area mixing some drinks.
I watch as he hands one to Luna and smiles at her affectionately. I
am always fascinated watching their relationship. It is so wrong
yet so right at the same time. I have never seen him with anyone
like he is with her. I hope it lasts as I like Luna despite her mad
ways.

Ash and Caleb are sitting on the couch
holding their beers. As I look at us all I realise just what a
striking family I have. They are certainly going to turn a few
heads tonight. I don't think that we've ever been out all together
like this before and it is a strange experience. Before long Marius
joins us and Luna claps her hands together. "Right come on gang.
We're booked into the hotel in town for dinner so we mustn't be
late. Your father has had to pull a few strings to get us a table
so we had better get a move on." The twins raise their eyes up and
pull a face and Ash and Caleb look angry as if they would rather do
anything else but this. Marius is quiet and brooding and I expect
that he is preparing himself mentally for the fight, although I'm
not sure why, he does it most nights for fun after all.

They have ordered a cab and I look crossly
as my brothers make their way to the garage to pick up their
motorbikes. "Why can't I take mine?" I say to my father. He looks
at me crossly. "Because for once you are going to play the dutiful
daughter and be a lady for one evening. I don't want my daughter
arriving on a motorbike when her sister's arrive in style. Just
suck it up for a change." The twins grin at me obviously enjoying
the fact that he is picking on me instead of them. Luna just
laughs. "Oh Scarlett, what are we going to do with you? You can sit
by me and tell me all about your gorgeous boyfriend." I have to
stifle a giggle as I see the flash of anger pass across my father's
face. He either wants her all to himself or the thought of me with
a boyfriend is not a pleasant one.

We walk into the hotel and I can tell that
it is very exclusive. Once again I wonder if I am too scruffy and I
watch as the Maitre D fawns all over Luna and my father. He shows
us to a prime table and almost falls over himself in his eagerness
to please us. I look around me with interest at the five star
luxury. The place is certainly up to date and modern and calming
music is playing and the other diners look very rich and smart in
their evening attire. We are soon joined by my three brothers. I
relax and stifle a laugh as I see their discomfort. They look even
more out of place here than me, although I do notice the waitresses
checking them out. It must be quite a sight as they are all
incredibly good looking. Much like my father they have dark unruly
hair and almost black eyes. Their bodies are well toned and they
are all well over 6ft tall. They look around them with dark
brooding expressions and I laugh at the sight of the women in the
room who can't appear to take their eyes off them. Their male
partners are equally mesmerised by the females in our group and I
see my father glowering at anyone who openly stares at us. Luna
chatters away for all of us throughout the meal and as you might
expect from such a grand hotel the food is amazing.

Luna looks around at us all and beams. "This
is so nice. We should have done this weeks ago. If I could I would
get the waiter to take a photograph." Cringing I sink down lower in
my chair. How embarrassing. To my complete surprise my father
smiles at her. "What a great idea Luna. Let's use my phone and then
we can get it framed." Luna grins at us and waves the waiter over.
"Honey could you take a family photo please." The waiter looks
surprised. He probably doesn't get asked that much as it is so
upmarket in here. My sisters look mortified but not half as much as
my brothers. My father appears to be enjoying some kind of private
joke and we all look at the camera with frozen expressions. "Come
on guys smile." Luna says and we all try to look as if we are
smiling but fail miserably. Savannah leans over to Ashley and I
hear her whisper. "Now I know I'm in Hell." Ashley giggles and my
father looks at them with a frown.

By the time we have had desert the time is
getting on and I notice my father look at his watch. He turns to
Marius. "You had all better go. We will meet you there. You know
what you need to do." My brothers look at him with blank
expressions and push back their seats. Without a word they leave
and I wish that I could follow them. All I want is to be with Drake
and Dylan. This charade is getting in the way of time that I could
be spending with them. My father orders coffees and I almost pass
out with frustration. This evening is interminable and I can't wait
to get out of here. Luna chatters on which disguises the fact that
none of us have two words to say to each other. My father has his
arm running along the back of her chair and I notice that he keeps
stroking her neck. I am not sure how long they have been together
now but his girlfriends only seem to last a couple of years at the
most. The last few were awful. They were also vapid blondes who
were more interested in spending his money than playing happy
families with us. Luna is different to them. She is absolutely
stunning but has a big personality and a kind heart. I hope that he
stays with her and doesn't ruin her in the process.