Page 12 of Greased

But here we are.

Eventually I nod, “Okay. Yep. So what happened next?” I ask. My brain already feeling fried but if we are going to lay it all out, we might as well do it right now.

“From the moment you were ready, I began training both you and Rhodes. I never wanted either of you to be left in the dark or deceived when it came to what was expected of either of you.”

I can’t help but snort at the audacity but it doesn’t phase or stop my father. He knows my feelings on the matter are justified.

“We had planned a massive party for your joint eighth birthday. The entire club was invited. I don’t think I had ever seen either of you so happy before. Everything was going great until a bunch of vans pulled up.”

My fathers fists tighten where they are held together on the table in front of him.

“We tried to collect all of you kids and hide you back in the clubhouse. But you never shied away from a fight, Scarlett. Other organisations were mad I had a female heir. Demanded that Rhodes take your spot but I disagreed. Just like me, the first born is the heir. We see it in royals so why couldn't you be mine?”

He demands, slamming his fist on the table. He collects himself quickly as he looks up at me in apology. I nod my head in understanding.

“They found you. The Scorpions. The club my fucking brother created.”

My eyes widen and I feel my stomach clench. Words evade me completely.

“We tried for a week to find you. I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t stop trying to find you. On the seventh day of you being gone from us, we eventually got a lead.”

He gulps, “When we found you, you were completely unrecognisable. You had been beaten beyond recognition. If you were left for another twenty four hours, it would have been too late.”

I stay stock still as I look directly at my father. My brain swims, a heavy ache setting in right behind my eyes. Absently, I trail my hand over one of the scars on my side. A wound I was told was from the car accident I was in.

There was never a car accident.

I was taken as a child. Beaten by my uncle. Left for dead. My childhood was stolen from me. Everything I knew ripped from me.

I push myself up from my chair. I hear it crash down behind me but the time for caring is gone. Long fucking gone.

I turn from the table. I hear voices behind me but they are drowned out from the whooshing I hear.

I feel like I’m underwater. Drowning. Unable to breathe.

I eventually come to, starting as I look out over the now pitch black ocean. Waves only lightened by the full moon.

I don’t know how long I’ve been out here.

I turn sharply as I hear the sand crunching behind me. My father walks towards me. His hair is messy, like he has spent the last however long running his hands through it.

“Your mum said I would be able to find you here.”

I nod, unable to trust myself to speak right now. I don’t know if I would even be able to form the words.

My father sits down beside me, bringing his knees up and laying his arms over them.

“I wish that I could make this all better for you. I never wanted this life for you. I didn’t even want this life for myself. When I found your mother it was like the world finally made sense to me. That I was given a purpose, a reason to fight. That was made even more prominent when you and your brother arrived.”

He shakes his head as he turns to look at me, “If I could have protected you both from this life, I would have. I should have packed us up the moment I found out your mother was pregnant. Escaped to here. Built a life far away from the darkness.

“It is something I will regret every day for the rest of my life.”

I nod my head. Yet I can’t help but feel like his regret is misplaced. Uncalled for.

“You didn't know all of this was going to happen. It's not your fault,” I say, my voice rough and broken.

“It's every parent's first responsibility to protect their children. I failed you Scarlett. You were mine to protect and I allowed them to take you. Allowed them to destroy my little girl.”

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