“You can’t be serious. He kissed me against my will, Ace. Drugged me. I’m underage. That is a hell of a lot of crimes, not even he could pay his way out of that mess.”
“And I’ll never allow him, or anyone for that matter, to lay a hand on you again. But you’ll be eighteen soon, they’ve covered up worse. Trust me, Scarlett, you don’t want to go there. You’re probably already in danger because by now, they know you were there.”
“Who?”
“I’ve already said too much.” He runs a hand through his hair, and I can see the unease in his eyes. He’s nervous, I’d say scared even.
“Ace, please,” I plead, placing my hand in his. He looks at our hands joined together and then slowly back to me, his ocean eyes looking into mine curiously, searching for the questions I so desperately seek answers to.
“This town is full of terrible people, Red,” he answers quietly.
“What is The Gallows?” I whisper softly.
“You already know the answer to that.” He looks down to the floor as he speaks and then back up to me looking like a helpless little boy. I knew it. The Gallows is what I so anxiously hoped it wasn’t. I can see it in his eyes. Lex, Remi, and the rest of the girls there, they all looked to be my age, maybe even younger, even behind all the layers of makeup and provocative lingerie. And they were kept in cages dangling above predators like a prize to be won. To be bought. My stomach drops as the realization sickens me. It’s a brothel, a prostitution ring using underage girls as their entertainment. I knew the things occurring here were wicked and something malevolent was taking place behind these daunting steel gates, but this… Never in my life would I have imagined it would be this. This is exactly what Agent Servite wanted me to see. He ordered me to follow Ace knowing well enough what I was going to find. He wanted me to see it firsthand. I know he’s involved in this, the monster that he is, he has to be, but Ace. I turn to Ace and glare at him, my eyes shooting daggers into his. He was there. He knew all of this was happening and he was there, looking like a regular member. Maybe even the mastermind behind it all. I do remember him confessing I found out his dirty secret.
“You,” I shout, moving away from him. He looks at me confused until it dawns on him, and he tries to move closer to me reaching out for me. “No, don’t touch me. Why were you there, Ace? What do you have to do with all of this?”
He stands and steps back running his hands through his hair. I pull the covers over me, shielding my almost naked body from him. I hadn’t realized I’m no longer dressed in the bodysuit from last night, but instead I’m dressed in nothing but one of his t-shirts.
“Scarlett, please, I can’t. It’s too dangerous for you to know. They’re probably already looking for you. They know you were there and what you saw. You have to drop this. You can’t go digging around, it’s too dangerous.”
“Dangerous for who, huh? For me, or for you? Ace, those girls, they’re children just like you and me.”
“Baby, I’m no child, never was. I grew up in this vile world and was forced to grow up quickly. They made me into what I am today. Into this ruthless, vicious beast and never once apologized for what that did to me, to my soul. But I’m not what you think I am. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me. You want to believe that under all of this maliciousness is a kind-hearted boy who was forced to become something he never wanted. But you’re wrong, angel. There never was such a boy. I grew up knowing what I’d become, and I chose to follow this path that’s led me to greatness. It’s given me status, power, wealth. Everything I could ever want and need. And all I had to exchange in return was my soul. A small price to pay for all of this,” he says standing at the edge of the bed.
I move to stand and walk toward him, stopping right beside him. He turns to me, reaching out, but I step back and away from his grasp.
“You’re wrong, Ace, I don’t see that in you. When I look into your eyes, I see exactly who you are. A coward. A fool hiding behind this pretense of ‘power’, only instead you use it to hide the fear buried deep inside your soul. You are terrified of this world you were born into. You may not have been before, but now that you’ve seen it up close, seen the extent of its wickedness, you fear what’s in store for you, what’s left on your path to greatness. You may be close to the top of the mountain, but I must say the path up is steep. And the higher you are, the harsher the fall. You’re a sinner, Wallace Servite, and there’s only one place where sinners belong. Enjoy the ride down, Ace, it’s gonna be a hard one.”
THIRTY–THREE
SCARLETT
Autumn leaves in various shades of orange, yellow, and red rustling in the wind. Birds chirping as they soar above us, migrating south for the winter. Trees whistling as the crisp breeze flows through their branches, leaves falling, footsteps crunching them as we walk on this cool autumn morning.
That’s all I hear as we head toward the Dahlia House. Ace walks silently beside me, his thoughts clouding his eyes and ridding him of words. I know there are so many things going through his mind right now. He’s at war with himself. A war between what he’s always believed to be true and the lies of what he now sees in front of him. I begged him to let me go, to let me leave and come back to the girls’ house. I’m in grave need of a long, hot shower to burn away Macallan’s dirty touch. I ache for the comfort of my own bed to forget the events of last night. But he demanded that he walk me himself, to make sure I made it back okay. I can tell what occurred last night is haunting his every thought as he stands so close to me, constantly looking over, not wanting to let me out of his sight.
However, what I’ve just discovered haunts me even more. The drugs, the girls, still children, being sold at The Gallows to the highest bidder. It’s repulsive, immoral, and downright evil. And somehow, I now find myself caught in the middle of it all. I can’t help but wonder why Agent Servite wanted me to find out, to find what they’ve been hiding. What did he gain from showing to me the sinful empire he’s built? How did he know I wouldn’t divulge his corruption, and reveal his dirty little secrets? I know there’s something else I haven’t yet been made aware of. Something even more sinister occurring deep within these gates, behind the brick walls of the academy and all of Hillcrest Hills. And I’m going to make it my mission to find out.
We make it to the front steps of the Dahlia House when Ace finally breaks his silence and speaks. I feel almost relieved to not have to listen to my thoughts any longer.
“I want to see you tonight,” he commands, not bothering to turn to me.
I scoff rolling my eyes at him.
“We all want a lot of things we can’t always have,” I say, taking a step forward.
Big mistake.
He reaches out and wraps an arm around my waist turning me to him. Our chests collide and he instantly devours my lips with his. His arm tightens around me as his lips take what I’m so eagerly giving. The feel of his lips on mine is hypnotizing and the fight is no longer in me. I never have been able to push him away once he’s close. My weakness, like venom, lies in those luscious lips that tell nothing but lies each time they meet mine. He breaks apart our lips whispering softly against them.
“Let me rephrase, I need to see you tonight. I will see you tonight. Don’t make me remind you, Red, you are mine,” he says, kissing me once again. His lips make their way down my neck as his hands move up my back under his t-shirt, the only thing shielding my naked body from him. His fingers graze my sensitive center and I bite down on my bottom lip as my hands grip his arms firmly. “All of this belongs to me.”
I moan softly not wanting to concede but giving myself away regardless.
“Meet me back at the beach house around seven. I want to show you something,” he says, and I simply nod in agreement. He kisses my lips once more before he turns and walks away leaving me breathless and wanting on the front steps of the Dahlia House.
I head inside and open the door of our quarter gently, not wanting to make a sou
nd to alert the girls to my arrival. As I turn to close the door behind me, I hear someone clear their throat. Fuck, I’ve been caught. I close my eyes and carefully turn facing whoever is behind me like the guilty culprit that I am. I hear them clear their throat once more as I open my eyes slowly. I find both Stella and Jade glaring at me, their arms crossed against their chests. They look me up and down, and when they see my outfit, Ace’s t-shirt, devious grins appear on their faces.
“Well, well. Looks like I don’t have to scold you after all. I know exactly where you’re coming from,” says Jade winking at me.
“Look, I don’t want to hear it. The good thing about not having a mother, I don’t have to report or answer to anyone. I’m tired, I need a shower, and then I’m going to bed. So, save your lecture and comments for another time,” I say, leaving them and retreating to the bathroom.
After the seemingly endless shower I take, I head into my room and bury myself under the comforter. Just as I turn and gaze at the window beside my bed, I hear the door to my bedroom creak softly. I close my eyes, not ready to hear whatever Jade has to say.
“You can’t pretend you’re asleep. I was in Stella’s room, I heard you come in.” I stay silent, not bothering to answer her. “I don’t know why you felt the need to sneak out last night. I know you’re pissed at me. I am the one who suggested you break up with Drake and start dating Ace. It’s been almost a month now. I just want to say you don’t have to continue to hide your relationship from me. I get it, we don’t like him, hell I’m not even sure if you do. It’s hard to tell how you feel where he’s concerned. But if it’s too much, I get it if you want to…”
“Stop,” I shout, interrupting her as I sit up and turn to face her. Her eyes are wide at the sound in my voice. “Just stop. I don’t have the energy to get into it with you today. I am with Ace now, whatever the reason maybe, it’s done. I have to see this through. Not only for you and Chaz and Roman, but for myself as well. Last night I found out things I’m terrified to believe are true. And worst of all, I still don’t understand how I fit into it. Or what Lilith’s role, if any, is in all of this.”
She walks over to the bed and sits beside me reaching out to grab hold of my hand.
“What happened last night, Scarlett?” she asks, a glimmer of fear overshadowing her curious eyes.
“That’s not important, Jade. What I meant was I have to get to the bottom of this. And that means when Ace calls, I follow. He wants to see me tonight, so, I don’t think I’m gonna be able to go to dinner for Jax’s birthday.”
“That’s fine, Drake’s obviously coming and well, things have been rocky to say the least. Sometimes I feel Jaxon’s more pissed at you then the dragon himself.”
“Yeah, well he’ll have to get in line. I’m fairly sure after all this is over, there will be plenty of people who feel the same.”
Her eyes widen at my comment.
“You scare me when you talk like that, Scar. I don’t know whether to think you’re joking or if you’re being one hundred percent honest with me,” she admits, fear in her eyes as she speaks.
“Just don’t worry, Jade. If this life has shown me anything, it’s that things are better done when I’m in it alone. You all are too important to me, and I can’t risk anything ever happening to you guys because of something that I could have prevented. For that reason alone, I will always choose to sacrifice myself and my happiness. You all deserve the best life from here on out. After last night, I’m not sure if I do.”
“December thirty-first, two thousand eight. Eleven fifty-nine p.m. Do you remember what we swore to each other as midnight struck ringing in the new year?”
I close my eyes replaying the exact moment in my head. It was New Year’s Eve 2008, Chaz and Lilith weren’t home, obviously. Roman had just left, and Jade and I were utterly alone. We made a pact to always be there for each other no matter the reason, no matter the consequences. It was just us two from there on out. Sisters. Allies. Soulmates. Two souls intertwined, tied together with an invisible string.
“Always and Forever,” I say, uttering the words spoken that night. A solemn tear falling upon my cheek, knowing well enough this lie is going to cost me so much more than I had imagined.
I wake to the sounds of cheerful laughter coming from outside my bedroom door. Their loud laughs and conversations echo in the hallway. I can’t help but smile. I’m glad they’re at least happy here. I look over to the clock on my bedside table and see it’s nearly six o’clock. Ten hours. I was out for ten hours. Mind you I was drugged and nearly raped last night, so I think the sleep is well deserved. I walk over to my closet and pick out a pair of dark skinny jeans and a burgundy cropped sweater. I quickly dress and slip on my black combat boots, securing my hair into a high ponytail.
I find myself a bit nervous about seeing Ace once again. Lately we’ve been on edge, and I don’t know what to make of it. A couple weeks ago I almost believed that our relationship could be something real. If you’d asked me then, I’d have said that maybe I wasn’t faking it after all. But then he started acting suspicious and secretive. It’s also why I was so curious when Agent Servite asked me to follow him. I had known he was hiding something, but I would have never imagined that this would be it. Now I don’t know what or who to believe. I don’t know what caused his mood to change. He acted distant but then the way he reacted to Macallan putting his hands all over me, taking advantage of me, it almost made me, once again, believe he genuinely cares. Almost.
I walk out into the hallway and see the door to Stella’s room is slightly ajar. I go toward it knocking gently and Stella instantly yells for me to come in.
“Scarlett, wow you look so put together. I mean compared to this morning,” she says laughingly.
I look to her questioningly and notice a row of liquor bottles lined up on her dresser.
“Wow, someone’s started the party early. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Jade’s alcohol problem has rubbed off on you, Silver,” I say jokingly, and she quickly turns her head toward the bottle.
“Oh no, that’s just. I mean, I just needed some…”
“Liquid courage,” says Jade laughingly. “Stella’s a bit nervous cause Kai’s obviously coming tonight. So, I gave her a little something to loosen up. You know how uptight our girl can be.”
“I’m not uptight,” she squeals.
“Honey, uptight is your middle name. Not saying it’s a bad thing, but neurotic is Kai’s first, middle, and last name. That combo is lethal.”
I laugh at Stella’s reaction, which is to take a swig of the vodka bottle.
“Sweetie, vodka is a no, no,” I say, grabbing a bottle of whiskey from the dresser. “You need the good stuff, whiskey, bourbon. Any more of that vodka and you’ll be the neurotic one.”
“Enough about me and my drink choices. Where are you heading tonight?” she asks shyly.
“Ace asked me to meet him down by the beach house. Something about showing me something, I don’t know. Figured I’d skip tonight’s festivities either way so…”
“You don’t have to justify why you’re going to see him, Scarlett. He’s your boyfriend. I totally get it,” Stella says.
“Yeah, so I’ll see you guys later tonight. I’m gonna head over before the guys show up. Not in the mood for that fallout.”
I step out of the Dahlia House and the chilly November air hits my face like an icy brick. It’s oddly cool for the West Coast this time of year, but you don’t hear me complaining. The sun has set, leaving only the streetlamps and moonlight to illuminate the night sky. I head down the steps and see Jax, Kai, and Drake leaning on the railing below. I gasp, inhaling a breath of cool air as Drake’s eyes connect with mine. Instantly they darken, the scowl he’s mastered when I’m nearby making its appearance.
I descend toward them and their demeanor shifts, their bodies straightening up as I approach. I’m about to walk past and ignore them when Drake reaches an arm out t
o me, placing it on my shoulder as I walk by. I slowly turn to look at him, his dark green eyes connecting with mine. I no longer see anger, but sorrow, resentment, and curiosity are what cloud them.
“Dragon,” I whisper softly where only he can hear. Jax and Kai step back giving us the space we need.
“We’ll head inside, see if the girls are ready,” says Kai, looking to me. Jax grunts mockingly as he turns away.
“Happy Birthday, Jaxon,” I say, and he freezes in place. He turns back to me, flipping me off as he heads into the house.
“Ignore him, he’s acting like a douche. Like he’s the one who got dumped.”
“Drake,” I say, but he reaches a hand up to me, placing his finger lightly on my lips in a shushing motion.
“See you later, Scar,” says Kai from beside me, as he follows Jax and heads inside.
“So, you skipping out tonight?” asks Drake, as I turn my attention back to him.
“Didn’t think you’d want me there. Well you, or Jax, or Ruby for that matter. Figured I’d spare everyone the drama.”
He chuckles lightly, a shy smile taking over his earlier scowl and I almost want to grab him and kiss him.
“So you’re going to him, huh?” he asks, but it’s almost as if he doesn’t want an answer back.
“I’m going out,” I reply nonchalantly.
“It’s okay, you can say it. I know you’re an item now. A couple. I can’t say I didn’t expect it. Wouldn’t be fair if I said I didn’t see it coming, but it is what it is.” His body hunches forward slightly, his hands nervously tucked into his jean’s pockets. I break the awkward silence the only way I know how. Avoiding the issue at hand.
“So, no hot date tonight?” I ask, referring to his rendezvous the other night with none other than Carrington Prescott. According to Jade, he hasn’t spoken to her since Beck’s party, and that minor mishap she blames on his lack of brain cells from all the weed he’s smoked, and alcohol he’s consumed over his lifetime.
The Four Horsemen : A Servite Academy For Troubled Teens Novel Page 30