Claimed by The Devil’s Enforcer

Scarlett POV “Go home, Scarlett. You’ve been here since dawn. Get some rest and spend time with that boyfriend of yours.” My boss, Rick, practically shoved me toward the door with a grin on his face. “Alright, alright, I’m going.” I laughed and grabbed my helmet from the hook. I walked out to where my bike was parked and threw my leg over the seat. The engine roared to life, and I couldn’t help but smile. Today was going to be perfect. It was Jake’s birthday, and I had something special planned. I’d bought new underwear, pretty black lace that made me feel brave. I’d even shaved everywhere and made myself look nice. Tonight, I was going to give myself to him completely. I loved him, and I was ready to show him just how much. I rode through town, feeling the wind against my face. The sun was starting to set, painting the sky orange and pink. Everything felt right. When I pulled into my driveway, I saw two cars already there. One was Jake’s truck. The other was my sister Emma’s car. I frowned. Emma was supposed to be at college. What was she doing home? And why was Jake here so early? We weren’t supposed to meet for another three hours. I parked my bike and took off my helmet. Something felt wrong, but I couldn’t figure out what. I walked in through the back door and heard voices coming from Dad’s office. The door was open just a c***k. I moved closer, staying quiet. They were all in there together, talking. But why would Jake and Emma be meeting with my parents without me? “We never meant for it to happen.” That was Emma’s voice, soft and sad, like she was the victim of something terrible. My sister was good at playing the victim. She’d done it her whole life. “When did this happen?” Dad asked. I pressed myself against the wall and listened. My heart was beating fast. “Christmas Day,” Jake said, and my stomach dropped. “We had too much of your special drink, and things just happened. Everyone was busy with the party. We went upstairs to talk, and we ended up in Scarlett’s room. We were just talking at first, but then we kissed, and it went further. We ended up in her bed. I forgot to use protection. When we came back downstairs, nobody noticed we’d been gone, so we pretended it never happened.” I couldn’t breathe. My boyfriend and my sister. In my bed. At Christmas. I’d been sleeping in that bed ever since. Oh God, I was going to be sick. “She’s pregnant,” Emma added, her voice shaking. “Three months along.” The world stopped spinning. Everything went quiet except for the rushing sound in my ears. My sister stole another boyfriend from me. Again. But this time was different. This time she was pregnant with his baby. “What about Scarlett?” Emma asked, but she didn’t sound worried about me at all. She sounded annoyed, like I was just a problem that needed fixing. “What about her?” Mom snapped. “This is about my first grandchild. Scarlett will just have to deal with it.” “I’m still technically her boyfriend,” Jake started to say. “Not anymore, you’re not,” Dad interrupted. “We’ll have an engagement party this Saturday at the pub. We need to make this official before Emma starts showing. And Scarlett will be there to support you both.” “She needs to move out,” Mom said. “Emma needs Scarlett’s room for the baby’s nursery. And it would be awkward if Scarlett came to the engagement party. People know Jake was dating her first. It would raise too many questions.” I couldn’t listen anymore. Tears were burning in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not yet. Not in front of them. I pushed the door open and walked in. Everyone turned to stare at me. “Let me make sure I understand this,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “You took my boyfriend to my bed, had s*x with him, left your mess in my sheets as some kind of sick Christmas present. Now you want my bedroom for your baby, and I’m supposed to just disappear? Like I’m nothing but trash?” Emma smiled. Actually smiled. “Yes. I’m taking your boyfriend, your bedroom, and you need to move out. Today.” “Fine with me,” I said. The shock on their faces almost made me laugh. They’d expected me to cry or beg or make a scene. I turned and walked to my room. I grabbed my duffel bag and started throwing clothes into it. My hands were shaking, but I kept packing. Underwear, jeans, shirts, my favorite hoodie. I’d come back for the rest later when they weren’t home. My heart was breaking. Not just because I lost Jake, though that hurt. But because my own parents were choosing Emma over me. Again. They’d always chosen her. I’d always been second best, no matter how hard I tried. I’d gotten perfect grades. Won awards. Been the good daughter. And still, I came in last. I walked back downstairs with my bag. They were all still standing in Dad’s office, watching me. “When I find a place to stay, I’ll come back for the rest of my stuff,” I said. Then I walked out the door. I climbed onto my bike and rode straight to my best friend Lily’s apartment. She was the only person I could trust right now. Lily took one look at my face and pulled me inside. She didn’t ask questions. She just hugged me while I cried, then opened a bottle of wine and a tub of ice cream. We spent the whole night talking and crying and calling my family terrible names. Some of the names Lily came up with were so creative that I actually laughed. The next morning, I woke up on Lily’s couch with a headache and a broken heart. But I pulled myself together, took a shower, and got ready for work. I had a ten-hour shift today, and I was already running late. “You’re late,” Rick said when I walked in. “Must have been some night.” The other mechanics laughed. They knew what I’d been planning to do last night. I growled something under my breath and got to work. By the end of the day, Rick pulled me into his office. “Alright, talk,” he said. “The guys have been walking on eggshells around you all day. What happened? Did he turn you down?” So I told him everything. About coming home early. About Jake and Emma. About the baby. About my parents kicking me out. I didn’t cry. I just told him the facts, cold and emotionless. When I finished, Rick was quiet for a long minute. “I won’t say anything to the guys,” he finally said. “But I’m going to talk to the president of the motorcycle club. They might be able to help.” I didn’t know why he’d do that, but I was too tired to ask questions.