Scar

  Acknowledgements

  Motocross Lingo

  Playlist

  Once Upon a Time

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  More from A.M. Brooks

  Connect with A.M. Brooks

  #MNGirl Sneak Peek

  Hearts and Flowers Sneak Peek

  Another book completed and I am still incredibly appreciative of everyone who keeps reading my work. I loved writing Trent and Scarlet! I’m so happy to share their story. I feel like it’s been living inside me for so long and seeing in on paper is amazing.

  Once again, I could not have completed this story without the loving support of my family and friends. I am forever grateful for my husband, my kiddos, and my parents for baring with me, and giving me my weekends to finish writing. I love you all!

  I want to thank, Kiki, Colleen, Jill, Kristina, Megan and Emily - The Next Step PR -Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and guidance. Thank you for working on my emails, sharing all my info and release materials. Thank you for giving me extra grace these past few months while with my ‘mommy brain.’ I can’t say it enough how happy I am to be working with this company.

  Jill - Thank you for stepping in and helping me figure my life out! LOL! Working with you has been amazing, and I appreciate all your advice, wisdom, and time.

  Rebecca - Fairest of All Book Reviews - I can’t thank you enough for editing and proofing this manuscript. I love to see the ideas and suggestions you have for me. I can always tell you are invested in my characters and the plot! Thank you for all you do!

  Hang Le-Hang Le Designs- Thank you for working with me on this cover. Its perfect for Trent and Scarlet!

  My Readers - Thank you for your purchase and support. It is because of you that I can continue to write and live my dream. I love you all! I hope you enjoy Scarlet and Trent as much as I do.

  XOXO Ashton

  Chunder: Loose, random, sometimes chunky dirt.

  Hardpack: Track surface made of compact dry dirt. Often slippery.

  Double Jump: Two separate jumps next to each other with a gap between them (rider flies over the gap)

  Tabletop: A jump with a flat top between the takeoff and the landing. Can either be jumped or safely rolled over. Also the technique of laying the bike flat in the air (pancake).

  Braap: Can be used when describing going all out. You can use it in pretty much any situation. Comes from the beautiful sound a 2 stroke engine makes while riding it fast. Brraaaap!

  Can-Can: When a rider move one of his legs over the fuel tank to the opposite side of the bike while airborne. The rider must get his leg to the normal riding position in time for the landing. In a No-Footed Can-Can, both legs are extended away from the bike.

  MX: Short for Motocross.

  24-hour Race: A race that takes place over 24 hours

  Bar-hops: While airborne, rider keeps both hands on the grips and extends legs straight out between arms and over handlebars.

  Clickers: While airborne, laying the motorcycle flat while bringing the back of the bike around

  Line: The desirable path or way you want to ride a section. You’re always looking for the fastest line, or in some cases the safest.

  Holeshot: To holeshot means that you reach the first turn in the lead.

  Loam: The stuff dirt bike dreams are made of. It is a perfectly aerated soil known for its fluffy consistency, usually made of sand/clay mixture.

  Nac Nac: A trick performed while airborne in which both legs are positioned on the same side of the bike and one gets extended out from the bike.

  All the Above- Maino ft. T-Pain

  Deuces- Chris Brown, Tyga, Kevin McCall

  Bang Bang- Young Buck

  My Life- The Game ft. Lil Wayne

  Heartless- Kanye West

  Loyal- Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Tyga

  Ocean Eyes- Billie Eilish

  I Miss My Dawgs- Lil Wayne

  Cryin Like A Bitch- Godsmack

  Bidi Bidi Bom Bom- Selena

  I could Fall In Love- Selena

  Work Out- J. Cole

  Beautiful Girls- Sean Kingston

  Liar- Camila Cabello

  South of the Border- Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, and Cardi B

  Danza Kuduro – Don Omar, Lucenzo

  How Do You Sleep?- Sam Smith

  Love is Madness- Thirty Seconds To Mars ft. Halsey

  Under Your Scars- Godsmack

  Lovely- Billie Eilish, Khalid

  Graveyard- Halsey

  Circles- Post Malone

  Hot Girl Bummer- Blackbear

  Boyfriend- Ariana Grande, Social House

  Feelings- Lauv

  Take What You Want- Post Malone, Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scot

  Call the Shots- Leslie Grace

  Blanco- J Balvin

  Risky- DaVido, Popcaan

  Tabu- Pablo Alboran, Ava Max

  Risk it All- Jacquees, Tory Lanez

  Trigger- Mjaor Lazer, Khalid, Death Strandings: Timefall, Diplo

  Writing on the Wall- French Montana, Rvssian, Post Malone, Cardi B

  LaLaLa- Black Coffee, Usher

  Cross the Path- Godfather of Harlem, Swizz Beatz, A.CHAL, Jidenna

  Devil Eyes- Hippie Sabotage

  Come to Vrazil- Why Don’t We

  Adictiva- Daddy Yankee, Anuel AA

  Loyal- PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake, Bad Bunny

  Papi Chulo- Octavian, Skepta

  Say Amen- Pani! At The Disco

  Como La Flor (LIVE)- Selena

  We Own It- 2 Chains, Wiz Khalifa

  Survival- Eminem

  Remember the Name- Fort Minor, Styles of Beyond

  Follow me on Spotify for the Scar Playlist!

  Scar

  By A.M. Brooks

  Copyright © 2021 A.M. Brooks

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination. Thank you for respecting the hard work and creativity of this author.

  Note: This story may not be suitable for persons under the age of 18.

  Cover: Hang Le- Hang Le Design

  Formatting: Elaine York- Allusion Publishing

  Editing and Proofreading: Rebecca- Fairest of All Book Reviews

  She conquered all her demons and wore her scars like wings.

  -Atticus

  Scarlet - Age 15

  Have you ever looked into the eyes of a man right before he dies? His throat will swallow in double time, the saliva drying up, causing his mouth to try and make extra. His lips will part, usually to plead, sometimes in surprise, but more often than not, it’s to curse. The nostrils will flare out and his breathing will quicken before becoming shallow. The light will dim from his glossy orbs. His pupils will dilate as if they’re attracted to the danger standing in front of them. Attracted to me.

  “You can’t be serious, Raul!” the man shouts at my father, though his eyes never leave mine. I hold my position, feet cemented to the ground, arms locked out in front of me with a secure grip on the 9mm in my hands. There is a silencer on the end, but let’s be honest, with the way this guy is shouting, someon
e had to have heard him by now. A small part of me prays, prays that my father will look at me. That he will see the dread in my eyes and the paleness of my face. I’m fifteen. I should not be standing in front of a man, making him bow down on his knees, only to turn the weapon to his head in the end. This shouldn’t be my life.

  Only my father doesn’t spare me a glance. He keeps his black, beady eyes on the man kneeling on the floor. I don’t even know this man’s name. One minute I was in a restaurant waiting for my father and the next a bag was thrown over my head, and I was led to this empty warehouse.

  “Solomon, you can’t be that surprised?” My father taunts him. A sadistic smile glides across his reddened lips while his arms spread wide from his body, his suit jacket tightening from the motion. “You steal from me, I take from you, simple as that.”

  “I didn’t steal anything,” the man argues in earnest. A sheen of sweat coats his skin, dripping down the front of his ruffled button-up shirt, creating a pool of dampened cloth. He looks like a lawyer or maybe an accountant, only I know my father usually doesn’t keep regular company with men in legit businesses, so he’s probably a criminal as well.

  My eyes slide over him, stopping short at the gold band on his ring finger. My finger wavers over the trigger. The man, Solomon, must see something pass over my features because he suddenly sneers in my direction, spitting at my shoes.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I was you.” My dad quirks his brow and clicks his tongue. “She’s known how to handle a gun since she was seven. Never misses a target.”

  Solomon’s skin turns ashen. I concentrate on breathing, sucking breath in, pushing it out to calm the buzzing in my ears. My skin tingles and dances with nerves. Yes, my father taught me to hold a gun when I was seven. For years, I’ve been under his strict training on the skills of weaponry. Learning to shoot by the time I was eleven. When I was younger, I had hoped it was his way of trying to bond with me, so I never told anyone. Not my friends, not my teachers or even my other family members. I pushed myself until my aim was true, and I never wavered.

  “Any last words?” my father asks, even though his words are condescending.

  “I never knew you to be the type of man that let his little bitch of a daughter do his dirty work for him.” Solomon’s voice is outraged, like he can’t believe his life is hanging in my hands.

  I can’t believe it either. I’m silently hoping this is a joke or just one more way for my father to test my loyalty to him. There’s no way my father would actually make me kill someone…would he? I don’t even like it when squirrels get in the way of my targets at home. My thumb itches to flick the safety and call his bluff. Of course, I know my father is a criminal. I know he has roots deep in the Mexican cartel. He’s also been the only parent in my life since I was three years old. At one point, I liked to believe he was a good man. It was rumored he used to lavish my mother in jewels and silks, and take her on trips. Everyone said he treated her like a queen, in and out of the public eye. That was before she passed away. Since then, I’ve heard the gossip, and I’ve eavesdropped at enough parties to know Raul is not a man to be crossed. He may have been soft with my mother but that was years ago. The past also doesn’t explain why I’m here now, in this position, deciding someone else’s fate.

  “Do you mean the same bitch of a daughter you thought pretty enough to make an offer on? So she’s good enough to fuck, but not good enough to kill you?” Father laughs. My stomach sinks. I’m disliking this Solomon, more and more, but I still don’t want to kill him. “Pull the trigger, Mi hija.”

  “Papa.” I shake my head; I can’t do this. I don’t want to be a murderer. My eyes lift to the other hired suits in the room. None of them will meet my gaze; they keep their faces averted, ignoring me. Even Jerrett, who I like to think of as my friend, mostly because he’s nineteen and closest to my age, and he also helps with my training, keeps his eyes firmly locked on my father.

  “Do it,” my father repeats, moving in closer to me until I can smell his Italian cologne and the lingering scent of stale, cigar smoke. I choke, my mouth trying to swallow around the dryness. “You will do it now, mija.”

  My eyes flick up and clash with his. His already dark irises are watching my every move. I don’t know what I did to deserve this. As if sensing my hesitancy, he comes to stand right next to me, his chest brushing against my extended arms. “He is not a good man. He stole from me and wanted to buy your body.”

  “He’s married.” I shake my head in denial.

  My father scoffs. “You think a wife and children matter to men like him? Dios mio. He’s an arms dealer. He sells illegal guns to children on the streets who fight against me. He’s a threat to our family. Dispara sin dudar, vuélale los sesos si se mueve.”

  Shoot without fear. Straight between the eyes if he moves.

  “Protect our family,” he urges again.

  But who will protect me?

  “Please,” the whimper escapes my lips without meaning to. Solomon’s eyes flash wickedly. He can see I’m not a killer. There is no blood on my hands.

  Father’s head whips from me to him, a snarl twisting his lips. “DO. IT. NOW! You will do this and prove your loyalty to this family!” Spittle flies against my cheek with every angry word he yells in my face. My legs shake, my heart races, and my mind runs through every and all possibilities on how I can get out of this. He wouldn’t kill me, would he?

  “Now, Scarlet. He’s a monster. He prays on children. He stole money from us. If you’re going to be part of my legacy, you will pull the fucking trigger.” Father leans in closer to me, his lips whispering against the shell of my ear, “Don’t be weak like your mother.” I flinch in response. “She wasn’t able to handle this life. You, mijita, can either join me or join your mother.”

  Solomon must read the fear in my facial expression because he’s off his knees, charging toward me. Everything after that happens in slow motion. I realize I’m the only girl in this room. They think I’m weak, and compared to their body mass, I am. My father would apparently sacrifice me for my weakness while Solomon sees my goodness as a way to turn the tables in his favor. He wants me dead too. I want to live. I want to survive and that’s the last thought that crosses my mind before my finger squeezes the trigger. My arms jerk from the kickback, and I squeeze again and again until the chamber pops open.

  “Let go, Lettie,” Jerrett says, his voice low and calm, as if he’s soothing a small child. His hand closes over mine, and the other rests on the barrel.

  A slow clap starts off to my side, growing more intense, followed by a sharp whistle. “I knew you had it in you, mija, I guess you are my daughter after all.”

  I turn my head and am disgusted when I see the gleam of pride reflecting in my father’s eyes. The closest thing to a smile his mouth ever makes, tugging at his lips. I slowly look around the room and see the same pride and acceptance from his usual hired hands. Tears burn behind my eyes and I drop my gaze to the floor. Big mistake. Solomon’s body is resting face down in a puddle of his own blood. The fabric of his jacket is blown out and pinkish clumps of tissue are scattered all around the room. My stomach churns and I fight not to heave. My hands shake. I bring them up in front of my face, only to see dried blood is streaked across them.

  “What did I do?” I whisper. Only Jerrett casts me a look under his eyelashes before he’s handing the gun to my father.

  “Call Animal,” my father yells to one of his guys, “tell him we need a clean-up and it’s urgent. Jerrett and Castillo, take Scarlet with you. She needs to fix herself up and pack.”

  “Pack for what?” I turn toward him, his words making me uneasy.

  “Training,” Father explains, his lips twitching, “I finally found use for a daughter. Solomon was willing to pay so much for your beauty. The one thing I should thank your mother for, I guess.”

  His words sting. I knew he always wanted a son, yet had refused to remarry. There were rumors he was infertile after an accident and
I hadn’t believed them until now. “Take her.”

  Jerrett and Castillo each latch onto my arm and half-carry me around the bloody mess and gore on the floor. Once the cool evening air hits my face, I finally take a deep breath. My body shudders and jerks while my mind finally catches up. I killed someone. I’m ushered to an all-black Lincoln, waiting out back. From the outside, it looks expensive. It’s not until I see the inside that I notice the vehicle was built for war. Shatterproof glass, bomb resistant with fire proof material. In a sick way, I had always felt like a princess climbing inside one of my father’s cars. Protected. Cherished. Jerrett climbs in after me and sits across from me. I want to pretend the last few hours never happened. Guilt grows in the pit of my stomach and the urge to vomit crawls up the back of my throat.

  “It would have been you if you didn’t pass his test,” he says, while keeping his eyes on Castillo, who is moving things around in the trunk.

  “Why?” I ask, for the millionth time since I was first dragged out of the restaurant.

  “Raul is aging. He needs a new trick up his sleeve to keep the people in line.”

  “I can’t do this.” My head leans against the seat.

  “If you don’t, he’ll find an excuse to kill you. Women, girls, it doesn’t matter. They’re expendable to him. You should have been a son.”

  “Like I can help what gender was chosen for me,” I scoff.

  “Then be the son he never had. Just do it wrapped in the shell your mother gave you.” Jerrett’s voice is sharp and heated. Our eyes connect, and for a moment, I see it. He’s scared for me. He doesn’t agree with what my father did or is planning.

  Before I can respond, Castillo slides in next to me, breaking the tension in the air. My eyes immediately search out the window as I fight not to cry. We start moving. When the wheels turn left instead of right, I realize I’m not going home. I don’t know if I’ll ever go home again. “Where are we going?”