Chapter 1
My father was the biggest arms dealer in the Delta, straddling both legal and illegal worlds, yet he bowed only to my mother.
He lost his left ear. It was said that he shielded my mom from a bullet to save her back then.
The night I was born, all deals were put on hold; gunshots turned into celebratory fireworks.
Everyone was rejoicing because the land had welcomed its little master.
When I was three, a curvaceous woman moved into the house across from us.
She held me close, letting me touch the tattoo on her wrist that matched my father's.
She sneered, "You will soon be thrown out. Don't think you can stick around, little brat.
My son in my belly will be the true heir.
I wriggled free and ran back home, knowing that my mother hated anyone touching her things.
I told her what the woman said while she was cleaning a silver pistol.
That night, fireworks lit up the sky over the house across the way, lasting well into the early hours.
The woman's cries were scattered by the wind.
My mother nuzzled my forehead with her cheek, her voice languid.
She asked, "Scarlett, do you like the fireworks show?"
*****
By dawn, the fireworks finally died down, leaving the night eerily quiet.
Still groggy, I pressed my face to the window and spotted Dad stepping out of that house, now looking like it had been through a war.
"Dad's back," I yelled.
I bolted outside, barefoot. Dad had been gone for a whole month.
I just wanted to jump into his arms and beg him to cheer Mom up, so she wouldn't be upset anymore.
But instead of a hug, Dad's kick came out of nowhere, like a gust of wind, sending me flying.
"Get out of my way," he roared.
I crashed into the railing, pain exploding in my back.
I lay sprawled on the ground, too shocked to cry, just staring at Dad in disbelief.
Back then, even if I scraped my knee, Dad would worry over me for days.
But this time, he didn't even spare me a glance. He marched right over to Mom.
Mom was sitting on the couch, sipping her coffee. She didn't even lift her eyes when they came in.
With a loud smack, Dad slapped Mom hard across the face.
Mom's head snapped to the side, five finger marks blooming on her cheek, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.
Dad's eyes were bloodshot, and he spoke through clenched teeth, his voice low and furious.
"Katherine Sinclair, are you fucking crazy? Were you trying to kill us all with that explosion?" he roared.
His face twisted with rage as he grabbed Mom by the collar and hauled her off the couch.
"If anything happens to Susan Lynch or the baby, I'll bury you right alongside them," he snarled.
Mom turned her head, ran her tongue over the blood at her lips, and smirked.
"I just set off some fireworks to spice things up. How was I supposed to know you were in there?" she said.
"Fireworks? You call that fireworks? That was bomb, you crazy bitch.
"She's carrying my son," he shouted.
Dad's voice was so loud, it felt like the roof might blow off.
I nervously snuggled into Mom's arms.
Mom gently patted my back, her smile growing even wider.
"It was just an accident. Look at you, getting all worked up," she said casually.
"Raylan Blackwood, don't ever bring that trash around Scarlett or me again. Next time, my target won't be the house," she warned.
Mom glanced at Susan's belly.
Dad shot back, "You wouldn't dare."
Dad, face burning red, pulled his gun from his belt and jammed it against her forehead.
The living room went dead silent.
All the mercenaries held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
My heart was pounding so hard, I thought it might burst out of my chest.
But Mom didn't even flinch. She stepped forward, her eyes shining dangerously.
"Go ahead, shoot.
"Let's see how long you'll last as King of the Delta once the Sinclair family pulls your gun-running routes and protection," she sneered.
Dad's hand was shaking, but he just couldn't pull the trigger.
I knew Dad would never really hurt Mom.
Dad lost his left ear protecting her.
But I was still scared he might actually hurt her, so I scrambled to my feet and lunged at him, sinking my teeth into his thigh as hard as I could.
"Don't you dare bully Mom," I yelled.
Dad let out a muffled groan of pain, and the second he was distracted, Mom made her move.
She was lightning fast. Her hand flashed out, snatched the gun, and in a heartbeat, had it pressed against his temple.
Mom's face was stone cold. "Raylan, if you're done with this, then let's just get a divorce."
Dad's face was dark with rage, and he forced the words out through gritted teeth.
"Divorce? Unless I'm dead, don't even think about it," he snarled.
He made a sharp gesture, and all the mercenaries cleared out.
"Bringing her back without asking you was on me. That land at the West Estate is yours now; consider it compensation.
"The house is trashed. Tomorrow morning, I'll bring her back. Once the kid's born, you can raise him like your own son. Just don't give me any more trouble," he said coldly.
Dad slammed the door and stormed out.
I dove into Mom's arms and just started bawling.
Mom hugged me close, her hand soothingly rubbing my back.
Mom grinned. "Hey Scarlett, how about getting yourself a brand new dad?"
The next day, Dad walked in with Susan in tow.