Deal with the Dark Don

Scarlett Boone's apartment's cracked curtains allowed in morning light, which created ragged lines on the hospital bed where Eleanor lay with her breathing steady but weak. The room's peeling wallpaper and secondhand furnishings stood in sharp contrast to the scene Scarlett had seen at the masquerade, and it smelled of antiseptic and faded hopes. Her small form bent over a broken coffee mug, her auburn hair tangled from a restless night, and her doe-like eyes darkened with shame. Only Ivy and the nurses who took her urgent payments for Eleanor's care appreciated her wiry, starved form, which made her a ghost in the sprawling city of Birmingham at the age of twenty-three. "One night, a chain around her heart," Jaxon Creed said, describing the transaction as a wound that would not heal. However, a note from the hospital that was hidden beneath her door at first light gave her hope that money for Eleanor's surgery had been raised anonymously. For the time being, her mother would survive, but Scarlett could hardly bear the price. With her blond locks bouncing and her green eyes piercing, Ivy came through the door, dropping a bag of donuts on the counter. As she tossed her denim jacket onto a chair, she remarked, "Scar, you look like you've been dragged through hell." "What are you eating?" The truth clawed at Scarlett's throat, causing her lips to quiver. With a raspy voice that was just audible over Eleanor's oxygen machine's hum, she muttered, "I made a deal, Ivy." "With the mafia guy, Jaxon Creed." Ivy's eyes widened as she froze, a donut halfway to her mouth. "Creed? What type of deal, Scar? "One night," Scarlett whispered, her eyes glimmering with tears as her voice broke. He covered Mama's surgery costs. I consented to it. Ivy stepped up and murmured, "Jesus, Scar," in a quiet but firm voice, before putting the donut back in the bag. "You betrayed yourself? To that serpent? "I had no other option!" With a snap, Scarlett slammed her mug down, spilling coffee on the counter. "Ivy, Mama was dying! How would you have responded? Ivy's eyes grew softer as she put her hand, warm and steady, in Scarlett's. "Like you, I would have fought," she continued, her voice quivering with sympathy. However, this? Scar, he's dangerous. You have a loaded gun in your hands. "I understand," Scarlett murmured, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her cheeks. However, the procedure is scheduled for today. She was saved by me. "How much does it cost?" Ivy's green eyes searched Scarlett's face as she questioned in a quiet voice. "Scar, you're not a pawn. You are more valuable than his illicit wealth. "Am I?" With a cracking voice, Scarlett drew her palm away to wipe away her tears. "To him, I am nothing. Just a young woman who agreed to help her mother. "You are everything," Ivy remarked angrily as she moved in closer and put her hands on Scarlett's shoulders. "Scar, don't let him own you. Make me a promise. With doubt chewing at her like a ravenous beast, Scarlett murmured, "I'll try," in a voice that was hardly more than a whisper. The moment was cut short when the hospital rang, the nurse's voice cheery and unaware of Scarlett's distress. She said, "Surgery is scheduled for noon, Miss Boone." "This morning, the funds cleared. It seems like you work miracles. A momentary warmth pierced the guilt and lightened Scarlett's heart. With a hollow voice and tense fingers, she said, "Thank you," on the phone. "I'll be there." After hanging up, she turned to face Eleanor's bed, where her mother's ailing body served as a clear reminder of the reason behind her bargain. She brushed Eleanor's hand, whose skin was cool and delicate, and said, "I did it, Mama." "You will be alright." Ivy's voice was urgent as she paced, her boots making noise on the old linoleum floor. "Scar, what comes next? You cannot simply leave a man like Creed. He has claws. With a voice that was a mixture of defiance and dread, Scarlett answered, "I don't know." Her eyes darted to the window where the city loomed, unconcerned. "He desires more. I sense it. Ivy's emerald eyes blazed as she continued, "Then fight him," pausing to look at Scarlett. "You are not his plaything. He underestimates your toughness. "I hope so," Scarlett replied, her fingers touching the rim of her mug as her voice faltered. With a deadly heat she couldn't get rid of, the image of Jaxon's touch, his fingertips on her cheek, his lips burning hers, flitted across her head. She wanted to detest him, but she was more afraid of his deal because she secretly yearned for the fire he had started. As the morning went on, Scarlett went through the motions, putting on new clothes with her auburn hair pulled back in an untidy bun and wearing jeans and a faded sweater. With Ivy by her side and the humid city air enveloping them like a wet shroud, she made her way to the hospital. Scarlett could smell the harsh stench of bleach in the hospital's clean hallways, which were a labyrinth of buzzing monitors and hurried footfall. Her heart was a maze of remorse and hope as she sat by Eleanor's bed, gripping her mother's hand. With tears stinging her eyes, she murmured, "You're going to pull through." "I ensured that." Eleanor's voice was sharp yet faint, and her eyelids blinked. Despite her weakness, she added, "You're hiding something, girl," with a piercing glance. "What did you do?" With a twisted heart, Scarlett forced a grin and answered, "Nothing, Mama." "Made it work, just." Eleanor responded in a quiet but forceful voice, "Don't lie to me." "I am aware of my girl." Shame scorched Scarlett's cheeks as her throat constricted. Unable to look Eleanor in the eyes, she grasped her hand. Her voice cracked as she said, "Rest, Mama." "Please." Her phone buzzed and the screen lit up with a text from an unknown number as she went into the hallway to regain her breath. As she read the sharp, forceful words, "Tonight," her heart stopped. My property. Avoid being late. Even though Jaxon's name wasn't inscribed, his shadow was there in every letter, preventing her from escaping it. With her hands shaking and the fluorescent lights of the hospital humming overhead, she gazed at the message. Ivy showed up with piercing green eyes. Leaning against the wall, she said, "What's that look, Scar?" "Difficulty?" Scarlett whispered, "It's him," and showed Ivy the text. "I am being called in by him." With an angry voice, Ivy grabbed Scarlett's arm and urged, "Don't go alone." "Backup is necessary." Scarlett's voice wavered as she replied, "I can't drag you into this," but her determination solidified. "I'm fighting this." With an uncompromising tone, Ivy responded, "Then fight smart." "You are entering a lion's den." With her heart racing and the weight of Jaxon's deal bearing down on her like a storm cloud, Scarlett nodded. She turned to look back to Eleanor's room, where the only light in the shadows was her mother's survival. However, she felt cold as she moved toward the hospital exit, her skin tingling from the sensation of being watched. Outside, the city awaited, its streets a maze of peril, and Jaxon's estate towered like a castle from which she doubted she would ever escape.