I do not own the rights of the following songs used in this chapter,

Love bites but so do I - Halestorm

Bring me to life - Evanescence

Skater boi - Avril lavigne

Enjoy!

That night…

When Scarlett got home, she parked her car at the back of the house and opened up a draw in her dashboard before grabbing some cloth that was hiding a pistol and loaded it before entering the house through the back door and quietly called out to her girlfriend, "Jasmine?" and Jasmine smiled as she quietly called out in reply,

"Scarlett! I'm here baby."

And Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief before she said to her girlfriend, "Go to the bedroom and don't make a sound, I'll come and find you when it's all clear." and Jasmine nodded her head as she quietly replied,

"Ok boo. Be careful."

Once Jasmine was out of the way, Scarlett quietly walked through the house leaning around corners of every room in case someone had gotten in, before she then peeked through the blinds over her windows at the cars sitting outside her house, she took a deep breath as a small part of her likely knew this had something to do with her brother Dom, before she then opened the front door and stood outside.

Some men then walked out from the cars that were parked outside, including a person wearing a suit and Scarlett figured he had to be some sort of boss, her suspicions were confirmed when the man in the suit began walking up her driveway with a smirk on his face before he said, "You live here? I have to say it's a beautiful house." but Scarlett scowled at the man slightly as she replied,

"Yes, I do live here. Who are you and what do you want with me?"

The man smirked again as he walked closer to Scarlett and cupped her cheek with his hand as he said, "Straight to the point." before he then leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I like that." and Scarlett pushed his hand away as she looked at the man with disgust before the man's smirk grew a little as he added, "People know me around here as DK, you know your brother is a wanted man. I can't imagine how that must make you feel."

Scarlett then scowled at DK as she growled, "Make your point already, DK. Why are you here? my brother isn't here." before Dk then took a couple steps back from Scarlett as he smirked and replied, the slight threat in his words was obvious,

"You live alone? Or perhaps... you have a special someone living with you?"

Then Scarlett glared at DK, the rage behind her hazel colour eyes made it clear he had struck a nerve as she growled at him, "You leave Jasmine out of this! I swear if you so much as touch her in anyway I will hunt you down! Make. Your. Point." and Dk held his hands up a little in defence as he replied, again with a slight threatening tone,

"Struck a nerve have I? Relax, no harm will come to Jasmine, that is...if you do something for me, you see your brother owed me some money, and since he isn't here to pay off his debt, I guess his little sister will have to pay it instead, you're gonna race for me and give me a small cut of the winnings you make."

Scarlett then let out a frustrated sigh as she looked at Dk and asked, "How much?" and DK smiled a little as he answered,

"Got your intrest have I? But what do you mean how much? I thought I was clear enough for you."

And Scarlett took a deep breath as she looked at DK and asked again, this time being a little more specific about the details, "How much does my brother owe you? And if I was to take part in racing for you, when will it be?" and DK looked at Scarlett as he replied with a serious tone in his voice,

"I'm gonna give it to you straight, your brother Dom owed me one hundred thousand dollars, and now you owe me one hundred thousand dollars, so in total you need to pay me two hundred thousand dollars if you want to clear your brother's and your debt, as for the race...well there is one happening on Friday night. The winner will recieve five hundred dollars, and you are gonna give me half of that as payment."

Scarlett then looked at DK as she shook her head slightly and said, "Can't do Friday, I'm performing at the Songbird. You want your money then I'm afraid I'll have to race a different night." and DK smiled at Scarlett as he said with a slightly menacing tone,

"Don't worry, there's a race being held on Saturday as well, there's a bigger winning as well as the winner recieves one thousand dollars, but I'll only take half as payment...providing you win of course."

Before Scarlett then let out a sigh as she replied, "Fine. I'll race Saturday, and you will get your cut of the winnings." before she then stepped to DK so that she was face to face with him as she added with a threatening tone of her own, "But let me make one thing crystal clear, I'll race for you but if anything happens to Jasmine before Saturday, the deal's off. And I will hunt you down and I won't stop until you are lying inside a wooden box. Goodnight DK."

And DK just smiled at Scarlett as he said, "As long as you hold up your end of the deal, I promise your girlfriend will be unharmed. But...if you don't hold up your end of our little agreement then...I'm afraid I can't gurantee Jasmine's safety. Goodnight Scarlett." before DK and his men left in their cars and Scarlett went back inside to check on her girlfriend.

Once Scarlett got to the bedroom she looked around before she said, "It's all clear Jasmine, you can come out now." and Jasmine came out from the wardrobe she was hiding in before she smiled at Scarlett as she said,

"Hey sweetheart, who were those people outside? and how do they know you?"

But Scarlett frowned a little at her girlfriend as she let out a sigh and replied, "It was someone that my brother owed money to, and...because my brother isn't in the country at the moment, have to pay his debt and my debt." and Jasmine walked towards her girlfriend and wrapped her arms around her in a hug and gave her a little kiss on her cheek as she frowned slightly and said,

"It will be ok boo, how much do you have to get to pay off your debt and your brother?"

Scarlett then frowned a little more as she let out a sigh and said, "In order for me to fully pay off my brother's debt and my debt I have to get two hundred thousand dollars." and Jasmine looked a little shocked at her girlfriend as she replied,

"How are you gonna manage to get that much money? Maybe I can help you?"

And Scarlett looked into her girlfriend's eyes as her hazel eyes darkened a little, she wasn't sure how to tell Jasmine what was coming next, but deep down she knew her girlfriend deserved to know rather than keeping it from her eventhough that would probably be easier, before Scarlett then took Jasmine's hands into her own as she said,

"I...I have to participate in street races, and...give half of what I earn for winning to DK. If I don't...well, it's dangerous to be around me and you will get hurt. I...I think it's best if you leave me."

Jasmine then had a defiant look in her eyes as she shook her head and squeezed her girlfriends hands slightly as she replied, "Listen, I'm not going anywhere without you. I don't care if you have to do street races to get the money for your brother's debt, and I don't care if I am in danger. I love you Scarlett, it's getting late so why don't we get some rest before you need to get up for work."

The next day…

Scarlett woke up the next day with small bags under her eyes, she didn't get a lot of sleep last night and how could she? She was threatened by the mafia and her girlfriend's life was at stake, she dragged herself out of bed and got ready for work before she text her sister Mia as she sent a picture of herself to her and her phone vibrated with a reply from Mia as it read,

"Mia: You look like crap sis."

"Scarlett: I feel like crap sis. I barely slept last night."

"Mia: Why what happened?"

"Scarlett: I had band practice. Then...DK paid me a visit."

"Mia: Oh, shame I can't come and watch u perform sis. What day are u playing? I miss u. What did DK want?"

"Scarlett: I'm playing at the Songbird on Friday. I miss u too sis. DK said our brother Dom owed him one hundred thousand dollars, and...since Dom isn't in the country right now, I have to pay his debt. I have to race for DK in order to get two hundred thousand dollars so I can fully pay DK off. If I don't race for him, or decide to keep the money I earn from winning races instead of giving him half then...I don't even want to think about what will happen to Jasmine."

"Mia: That asshole! No one threatens my sister like that! Have you even raced before in your life? You should just forget about DK, and forget about Jasmine and come stay with me in LA. Just wait until Letty hears about this."

"Scarlett: Dom showed me a few things about racing, but I haven't actually been in any races. I'll find a way to get the money for DK, don't worry sis. I can't just forget about Jasmine, I love her sis. and she loves me. anyway I have to go into work, talk later?"

"Mia: Trust me sis, Jasmine isn't good for u, I don't want your heart to get broken. I'll let u go to work, think about what I said ok? Love u."

"Scarlett: I will think about coming to visit u in LA. Love u too sis."

Before Scarlett then put her phone in her pocket as she made her way to her car and slowly pulled out of the driveway before putting her foot on the accelerator as she drove down the road towards her workplace.

When Scarlett got into work, Johnathan smiled at her as he waved and said, "Hey Red, good to see you today, even if you look like crap." and Scarlett smiled slightly at Johnathan as she replied,

"I feel like crap Johnny, I almost considered not coming in today but...I need the money, maybe now more than ever."

And Johnathan leaned on the counter of the bar as he looked at Scarlett and said to her, "Girl, talk to me, what's up?" and Scarlett let out a small sigh and slightly smiled at Johnathan as she replied,

"I had band practice last night, then...I had a visit from the Mafia and threatened my girlfriend's safety if I don't get two hundred thousand dollars to pay off a debt that my brother Dom owed them which I now owe them since my brother isn't in the country at the moment. My sister Mia told me to go stay with her in LA and forget about the Mafia and forget about Jasmine."

Johnathan then had a shocked look on his face as he said to Scarlett, "There's no way you will be able to get that much money! How long have they given you to get it? If you would like my advice then...I think you should go to your sister in LA, at least until things here die down a little. Jasmine might seem a little clingy but I'm sure she will understand if you tell her."

Scarlett then shrugged her shoulders as she looked at Johnathan as she replied, "They didn't give me a time frame to get the money, they just said I have to race for them and give them half of the winnings I earn as long as I win the race or else Jasmine will be in danger. I told my sister I will think about going to LA to visit her." before she then smiled a little as she added, "You coming to the Songbird on Friday? I'm performing there with the rest of my stray hearts band."

And Johnathan faked a gasp as he smiled at Scarlett as he said, "Sister, I wouldn't miss seeing you do what you do best on stage for anything, of course I'll be at the Songbird on Friday, I'm almost hurt that you think I wouldn't be there to support my friend doing what she loves." and Scarlett let out a small giggle as she replied,

"Guess I'll see you at the Songbird on Friday then Johnny." before she then saw a few patrons entering as she added, "We better get to work before we get into trouble." and Johnathan smiled as he nodded his head and said,

"No arguments there, wouldn't want either of us to get fired."

A few days later…

Friday couldn't come any sooner for Scarlett and she was really excited, she hoped that this would be the moment a big record company recognises her talent and will want to sign her for a record deal. She was sittng in her car with her girlfriend Jasmine as she thought to herself, "Hopefully this will be the breakthrough I've been waiting for." before Jasmine gave her girlfriend a comforting smile as she said,"You'll be great darling, I just know it. I am so happy you were able to get the day off work."

And Scarlett smiled back at her girlfriend as she replied, "Me too, I'm glad my boss Neil understood how important this was for me. Justin told me we will be going on stage at 7pm and doors open at 5pm." before she frowned a little as she added, "Listen, I've been thinking of going to LA to visit my sister Mia, I'm not getting tired of you and it will only be for a week or so, just until things here quiet down a little. Some dangerous people are after me and I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

To Scarlett's surprise, Jasmine straddled her lap and gave her a kiss on her lips before she smiled at her as she said, "I'm sure you and your sister must miss each other a lot, so I think you should go and spend some time with her in LA. Don't worry about me boo, I'll be fine, I'm sure Johnathan can look after me for you while you are gone. Like you said it's only for a week so what's one week without you?" before she then took Scarlett's hand into her own as she added, "Come on, your band mates are probably waiting for you and the bar will be opening soon."

Once inside the bar, Scarlett could see it was filled with both male and female patrons before she then saw Justin waving to her from backstage so Scarlett smiled at her girlfriend as she said to her, "I better go and get ready to be on stage, I'll see you soon." and Jasmine just smiled and nodded her head before Scarlett then made her way to the backstage area where her band mates were waiting for her.

When she got backstage, Justin gave her a hug and smiled as he said, "There's our gorgeous lead singer, ready to rock tonight?" and Scarlett returned the hug and smiled back at Justin as she replied,

"As if you had to ask me that? Of course I'm ready to rock! let's go out there and melt some hearts!"

Before then both Scarlett and Justin took their positions on stage and Scarlett smiled as she could see her girlfriend and colleauge Johnathan standing in the crowd before she then took a deep breath as she leaned into the microphone and said to everyone inside the bar, "I just wanna say thank you for coming tonight. We are the Stray hearts and we are gonna melt your heart away!"

Then the backing track to their first song they had planned came on and Scarlett took a deep breath as she got ready to sing with sexy, clear voice,

(Scarlett)

"How can you see into my eyes, like open doors.

Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb.

Without a soul, my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold. Until you find it there and lead..it..back..home."

(Scarlett and Chloe)

"Wake me up!"

"Wake me up inside (Save me)

Call my name and save me from the dark (Wake me up)

Bid my blood to run (I can't wake up)

Before I come undone (Save me)

Save me from the nothing I've become!"

The crowd in the bar were cheering and some of the females in the crowd had dreamy looks on their faces, Jasmine looked at them with pure disgust as she held up her phone towards the stage filming her girlfriend performing, Johnathan stood next to Jasmine with a beer in his hand and smiled as he said, "I'm amazed how any record company haven't signed Scarlett yet, she's amazing! It's almost enough to take your breath away." and Jasmine smiled at Johnathan as she replied,

"I know right! how a single record company haven't recognized my girl's talent and signed her is beyond me. She said she was gonna melt some hearts, but she makes mine melt everytime I hear her perform!"

Then both Jasmine and Johnathan turned their attention back towards the stage as they saw Scarlett and her band getting ready to perform the next song as the backing track came on through the speakers and Scarlett stepped up to microphone as she started singing once more,

(Scarlett)

"Sorry girl but you missed out

Well, tough luck that boy's mine now

We are more than just good friends

This how the story ends

Too bad that you couldn't see

See the man that boy could be

There is more than meets the eye

I see the soul that is inside."

"He's just a boy

And I'm just a girl

Can I make it anymore obvious?

We are in love

Haven't you heard

How we rock each other's world!"

And the crowd in the br cheered again, perhaps even louder than last time, Scarlett's throat was getting a little dry from all the singing, but she knew she could a least survive singing one more song before she needed to get a drink, both Jasmine and Johnathan had smiles on their faces as they were happy to see that Scarlett was happy doing what she loved, before the final backing track then came on through the speakers and Scarlett took a deep breath as she walked up to the microphone, ready to sing the last song,

(Scarlett)

"Don't listen what your girlfriend says,

She reads those magazines.

That say you failed the test,

You don't have what she needs.

I slither like a viper,

And get you by the neck.

I know a thousand ways to help you forget about her,

That bitch can eat her heart out.

Love bites,

But so do I.

So do I,

Love bites.

But so do I,

So do I.

LOVE BITES!"

After Scarlett had finished the last song for the night, she tried to catch her breath as she said into the microphone to everyone, "T-thank you, you guys were great." before she then went to exit the stage along with her band mates, when they got backstage Justin smiled at Scarlett as he said to her,

"You were awesome out there tonight Scarlett!"

And Chloe, the band's guitarist gave Scarlett a hug as she smiled and said to her, "I agree Scarlett, you totally rocked it tonight!" and Scarlett smiled back at her friends as she replied,

"Thanks guys, you were great too. Hopefully we can get signed to a record company. world tour here we come!" before she then frowned a little as she added, "Listen, I'm gonna be heading out of town for a bit, at least until things here settle down."

Justin then had a frown on his face as he said, "We'll miss you Scarlett, where are you planning on going? and how long will you be gone for?" and Scarlett took a deep breath before she gave her friends a hug as she replied,

"I'm going to stay with my sister Mia in LA. I could be gone for a week, maybe longer depending on what the situation here is like. I'll miss you guys too."

Chloe then had a faint smile on her face as she said, "Well...if you think it will do you some good visiting your sister then...you should go." before a smirk then grew on her face as she added, "Maybe while you are in LA, you could go to some open mic nights with your sister, I'm sure she would love to see how much of a rockstar you are on the mic, when are you leaving?"

Scarlett then took another deep breath before she looked at her friends as she said, "Tomorrow, after I finished a street race, I'll be heading for LA. I just wanted us to have this moment together before we say goodbye." and Justin smiled slightly as he gave Scarlett another hug before he said,

"Well, if you ever need anything, or someone to talk to, you know we are only a call or drive away."

And Scarlett then let out a heavy sigh as she nodded her head and replied, "Yeah, I know. Stay safe you two. I better get home so I can start packing." before she then walked away to find her girlfriend so that they could go home together.

A/N: Scarlett is in some shit. Will honour the agreement she made with DK so that she can clear her's and her brother's debt? Or will she take the risk and go into business for herself? Find out what happens next time.