FEAR.

DNA.

T H E intentions of others is your only concern." Scarlett's mom used to tell her as she moved around the kitchen making lunch for her after school.

"People will try to take advantage of your naivety and for this, you must not be naive. The only people you can trust are other Sinclair's."

For a long time, Scarlett didn't understand. Their family was so close to the Godfrey's and they practically were family. She didn't understand why she couldn't sleep over at the Godfrey's. Letha would be there and it would a innocent fun evening of movies and junk food.

P E Y T O N ' S house was always her parents alternative. They thought it was a compromise. At the time, Scarlett thought so to.
You see, Roman was exactly one year and one week older than Scarlett. Back when she cared about grades, it was enough for her to skip a grade. She would be graduating with Roman, and he was very proud of her.
Roman was her best friend. They were inseparable.

Until the incident.
Scarlett's father had been doing under the table deals and they had all fallen through. They were sinking quickly into debt and were about to lose everything. JR Godfrey, friend to Lucious Sinclair, offered to buy the company for more than its worth to bail him and his family out of their hole.
That year, JR committed suicide.

T E N years later, the fire happened. All Scarlett remembered from that night was her lungs burning. She was being suffocated. She could feel the sheen of sweat covering her body. Glass shattered and then she woke up in the hospital. She was 14. Roman was 15.

Earlier this day, Roman had bought her ice cream, and was working up the nerve to ask her if this had been a date. This would be the last time Roman and Scarlett would speak for 3 years.

The night of the fire, Roman had arrived at the Sinclair's. More specifically, outside Scarlett's window. He was going to sneak in to talk to her. When the fire started, Roman was on the second floor of the house, trying to pick Scarlett's window lock.
He smelt the smoke, broke her window with a rock and pulled her to safety.

U N F O R T U N A T E L Y that was not how Vivian and Lucious Sinclair saw it.
All fingers pointed to the unwelcome guest. A fifteen year old boy.
They were bribed to stay silent with more money, and then the two families never spoke again. No one ever knew what happened. No one ever believed Roman.

Scarlett wanted to believe him so badly. But to believe him would be to believe one of her parents had done it. Roman tried to tell her against their parents wishes.

"You believe me right?" Roman asked, his eyes dilated.
"Roman..." Scarlett shrugged and tears forming in her eyes.
He nodded, wrapping his arms around her. The gesture was awkward, Roman wasn't a physically affectionate person, and neither was Scarlett.
But she melted into the hug, and clung tightly to the back of his jacket.
"I understand." Was all he said before leaning back.
He tapped her chin with his thumb and winked.
"Be good." And he walked away.

S C A R L E T T felt the tips of her fingers ache from the cold. She always had poor circulation. She remembered Roman breathing on her hands and rubbing them with his own when they were children. Always looking out for her.
She longed to resume their friendship, but things have changed. There was a sharp pain that collided with her shoulder before she felt herself fall. Before she hit the ground, she looked up to see him.
Roman caught her.

"Thanks." She whispered, as he steadied her. Subconsciously she rubbed her hands together.
Roman watched, ever the most observant.

"Watch it, Sinclair." He said, a smile tugging on his lips. He winked at her before turning to walk away.

"Roman?" She blurted before she could stop herself. He stopped in his place and turned on his heels. His eyes raked over her in an almost predatory fashion.

What the fuck am I-
"Are you free to..." he walked back over to her and placed a hand against the wall to lean near her, "get coffee?" She whispered. Watching Roman grow into a man was interesting. He was no longer the scrawny boy trailing after a beautiful girl.
Now he was tall. Like, very tall. His cheekbones were sharp and defined, his lips plump. His jawline could 'cut glass' as she had once heard Alyssa Sworn describe. But his eyes changed the most. There was something hidden. A darkness.

He looked at her like he was stalking prey.
"For you, I'm always free." He smiled, before cupping her hands and rubbing them.

"You'll cause quite a stir with this move." She mumbled to him.
He shrugged before letting go and then waking to English quicker than anyone else in the hallway. They all parted like the Red Sea for him.
Everything was at his disposal, everyone at his command.
Prince of Hemlock Grove.

I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA, cocaine quarter piece, got war and peace inside my DNA.