“Just tell me how, Dad. What’s the next step?”
He leaned in closer, the familial bond and malice merging in his expression. “Tomorrow night, watch for when shift changes. There’s a guard, Officer Daniels, who has a weakness for pretty girls. Use that to your advantage. He’ll be the first thread you pull. Then we weave the rest of the plan from there.”
I thought about my interactions with Officer Daniels—his lingering looks, the way he sometimes let a smile slip. I felt a swell of fierce ambition alongside guilt, but I pushed it down, reminding myself of what I was doing. This was not just for Gerald’s sake.
“This could blow up in my face,” I said quietly, the caution in my voice a thin whisper that fought to be heard.
“Yes, but it could also be the birth of something much greater,” he replied, his tone shifting to one of fervent enthusiasm. “Do you want to be someone who fades away in the shadows, or will you rise up and seize power? This is your legacy, Scarlett. Trust me.”
Trust the devil? A part of me wanted to reject him, to scream and run far away from his influence. But there was another part—giddy, defiant—that thrived on the danger of it all. Marked by blood, I was meant to carry on this lineage, to bend it to my will rather than be consumed by it.
“Okay, I’ll do it,” I said, the words tasting bitter yet exhilarating on my tongue. “But I need your help. I can’t navigate this alone.”
“Of course you won’t,” he replied, his grin widening until his teeth glinted like sharpened knives. “I’ll always be here, Scarlett. You’re my daughter. Just remember: our path is not one of light, but we’ll embrace the shadows together. Welcome to the family business.”
As I met his gaze once more, the weight of what we were about to embark upon settled in my bones, intertwining with the very essence of who I was. Redemption? Salvation? Those words drifted further away, eclipsed by a new clarity. The course was set, and I was ready to embrace it, darkness and all.
“Now,” he said, leaning back as if he could read my thoughts, his smile both menacing and proud. “Let’s talk about strategy.”
And just like that, my descent into the depths had begun.
6
Colleratal
Scarlett
My visit with my father unfolded in an unexpectedly positive way, and by the time I returned to the church, my anxiety had evaporated, leaving no trace of the voices and shadows that usually haunted me. I slipped off my heels as I strolled down the hallway, my sore, bare feet softly tapping against the creaking floorboards. A brief glance at the altar revealed the four skulls observantly watching me descend into the darkness, their steady presence helping to soothe my remaining nerves.
Once in my room, I turned on some music, fully aware of how it calms the darker corners of my rotting soul. I quickly shed my work attire, slipping into something tight, black, and comfortable. Trading my pencil skirt for a mini skirt, I pulled ona pair of black socks, rolled them onto my feet, and laced up my combat boots with precision.
Soon, the warm scent of incense enveloped the room, its smoky vanilla aroma wrapping around me like a weighted blanket. As I rolled a joint and took a few puffs, I knew the guys would be here any moment. I left my hair down, running my fingers through my curls instead of a brush, and touched up my makeup, giving my tired, psychotic eyes a dark, smoky allure to complement my overall look.
I replayed my conversation with Gerald in my mind, my heart racing as I made my way toward the altar. With deliberate care, I lifted each skull and kissed its forehead, lingering with each one as memories flashed before me, reminding me why I was doing this. I was born this way. I never had a choice. I never had a fucking chance. Everything had clicked into place after our talk—it all became crystal clear.
I settled on the floor, surrounded by skulls, my gaze drifting to the tanks filled with snakes and spiders beneath the stained glass windows, each creature desperately striving for escape. I softly glided my fingers over the rosary around my neck and a grin spread across my face as clouds of smoke enveloped me, excitement brewing for the twisted games I had planned.
"You're really into those fucking skulls, aren't you, Doc?" boomed Hunter's voice from behind me, its echo resonating through the empty church.
Still smiling, I turned around still clutching my necklace, rose to my feet, and carefully navigated around the guys' skulls to reach Hunter, who stood with open arms, ready to embrace me. I allowed him to pull me into a hug, but I hesitated to return the tightness he offered; it felt like betraying the guys’ memory with him so close and them watching. Even though all that remained of them were their bones and the memories I desperately clung to.
"You're early," I remarked, pulling away from the embrace.
"I didn't want to be late," he replied with a hint of sarcasm, producing a Marlboro from a nearly crushed pack and lighting it.
Before I could respond, a sharp knock at the church's front door caught my attention. Without a word, I slipped past Hunter, eager to answer it. I was taken aback to find Kell, Michael, and Jax standing there together, but I welcomed them in and locked the door behind them.
"Did you all come together?" I asked as we entered the side room turned living room, where Hunter now stood, flames flickering along the walls as darkness from outside seeped in through the windows.
"We're all in the same halfway house, so we figured, why not?" Michael replied, flashing a charming smile that revealed his dimples, looking as if he wanted to devour me.
"Smart thinking. I like that." I took a seat while they lingered, awaiting my instructions.
Seeing them squirm was half the fun, so I remained silent a little longer, savoring the sadistic delight in my eyes as my fingers rubbed every worn bead. I needed to remind them who was in charge, and that was me. We were playing my game by my rules, and there was no turning back now.
"Scarlett, what are we doing here?" Jax asked, glancing around with curiosity.
"This is where I live," I announced, nodding to the black leather couch behind them. "Now sit. The four of you will get to know each other while I finish getting ready, and then we’re heading out for a drink," I instructed, striding out of the so-called "living room."
