The Mafia's Secret

Chapter 37

SCARLETT

"You're staying behind and that's final. You'd be giving our father exactly what he wants, Scar." Zayn was arguing as he started loading up the Jeep.

"This is my choice, Zayn. I can't sit back and wait while the three of you fight a war I started."

Zayn scoffed. "Right. You always had an act of making everything about you."

"Fuck you, Zayn. You have no idea what the hell I've endured! I NEED this."

"And that's the problem. For a grown-ass woman, you sure as hell need to grow up."

Without thinking, I swung a clenched fist into the side of Zayn's cheek.

He only shook his head, snickering in response. "Point proven."

"Oh, for fuck sakes! Would the two of you grow the fuck up!" Xavier came storming out of the house, pushing Zayn back from me. "Scar is coming whether you like it or not because that's the only way your father will even consider trading up Caleb and Mindy. Is that clear?"

Tension filled the air as the two stood firm, challenging each other in silence for a few seconds. I was preparing for fists to start flying but Zayn finally backed off, scoffing as he angrily got into the back seat of the jeep. Rolling my eyes at his hypocrisy, I wasted no time getting into the front seat. Having the window already down, Xavier leaned up against the door, glancing back at Zayn before focusing back on me.

"Are you sure about this, Scar? I can't guarantee that we'll be successful without facing casualties. You'd be risking your life for a life you never wanted in the first place."

"The life I want isn't possible anymore. Not with my bloodline."

Zayn scoffed but said nothing, clearly not impressed with my remark. Xavier sighed, glancing back at Zayn. If looks could kill, I was sure Zayn would be dead in seconds. I could see the mental fight behind Xavier's eyes as he refused to move. It only lasted a few seconds before he sighed, shaking his head before getting into the driver's side. The second he got in, he was white-knuckling the steering wheel. I feared even breathing through the tension in the jeep, not wanting to cause either of the child-acting men.

"Should I leave? Because frankly, I don't want to be in a vehicle with this much tension in the air. I'm not risking my life for this nonsense."

I was so focused on the two men, I hadn't realized Cyrus had entered the jeep.

"Everything is fine, Cyrus. We need the extra hands since we have no idea what we're walking into." Xavier stated in a surprisingly calm tone as he pulled away from the curb.

* * * *

I don't know what Xavier was expecting, but I assumed it wasn't this. Dozens of men waiting outside of the old compound as if they had anticipated our arrival. In front of them was my father and an angry Darren. He was fuming with hatred as we pulled in. Movement from the crowd behind them caught my eye. A half dead Caleb was brought up beside my father who had the smuggest of all looks on his face, draining the blood from my face. I had seen that look before. And it was at that moment that I knew what was really going down. My father was expecting a fucking trade.

"Well, if it isn't my dear children. A little birdie told me you were coming." My father stated as we all got out of the jeep.

As if on cue, my mother stumbled through the crowd, clearly high out of her mind as she leaned up against my father, giving him a peck on the cheek. "I told you they would come, My Love."

The son of a bitch was one step ahead. Xavier tightened the hold he had on my hand, clearly not liking the double-crossing. I swear I could see steam expelling from his ears and nose as he unintentionally crushed my hand.
"Oh, don't look so shocked, Dear. I had a lovely conversation with your father and we've come to an agreeable understanding. I'm hoping the two of you will do the same. For the sake of young Mindy and your friend, here." My mother suddenly laughed maniacally, stumbling again.

THWACK! My father's hand came flying into my mother's face before grabbing the back of her neck before throwing her back towards the house. "Sober up, woman! Now get into the damn house while I deal with our guests."

"Of course, Love. Anything for you."

My father snapped his attention back to us once she was inside the house, shaking his head as he snickered. "Apologies. She's in the process of rehab. Alcohol seems to be the only coping mechanism through her detox. We can't be a family while under the influence now, can we?" My father said with a devilish grin. "Shall we? We have business to discuss." He gestured towards the shop.

"Before we go anywhere with you, you're going to release Mindy and Caleb." Zayn stepped forward, moving closer to Caleb who was spitting blood. The expression Darren had was murderous. He was seconds away from pouncing on Zayn but by the warning glance my father shot at him, Darren remained where he was with his fists clenched.

My father glanced at his men as he gestured towards us. Within seconds, his men grabbed us. Any attempt to pull away was met with a kick to the back of the knee. One of my father's men had my hair in their grasp, pulling my head back as my father came in between Zayn and I.

"Mindy is where she belongs. With her real father. Just as you two should be with me and your mother. Caleb on the other hand, his life is in your hands, kids." As if on cue, he pulled a glock from his back pocket, holding the barrel up against Caleb's temple. "Now the way I see it is you have two choices. You all die or Xavier and his friends drive out of here while Caleb is still breathing. Leaving you and Zayn behind so the four of us can discuss our future as a family–"

"–That'll never happen!" I spat, causing a backhand to fly into the side of my face.

"Shut up, Scar!" Xavier seethed through gritted teeth as I slowly recuperated from Darren's blow, tasting blood.

Darren snickered. "Still controlling her I see. Xavier, your days of telling her what to do are over. Just like your days of keeping my daughter prisoner are over. And Zayn, she will never be your daughter," He smirked, walking towards the shop. "Oh! And, Scar! You'll always be known as the little girl your daddy fucked!"