My heart stuck in tar as Jasmine rolled sedately into the room. Her bronze eyes hid her terror, but her face couldn’t hide her dislike. She didn’t look away from Jethro.
Jethro looked back at his sister, hanging his head in shame.
Kestrel came into the room, his hands tied behind his back, his face a mismatch of purple, black, and blue.
He gave me a sad smile, flicking his attention between Jethro, V, and his father.
“Glad you could join us,” Cut snarled, glaring at his offspring.
Jasmine sat taller in her chair, her pink angora jumper matching the deep rose of the blanket thrown over her legs. “Father, don’t do this. Think about what this will—”
“He knows the consequences, child,” Bonnie interrupted. “And he’s accepted the payment as a necessary sacrifice.” Her matching skirt and blazer were black, as if she were already in mourning. A string of pearls graced her throat, bobbing with every swallow. Her eyes landed on Cut. “It’s your decision, son.”
Cut nodded, getting his temper under control, slipping back into a ruthless, terrifying man with far too much power.
I trembled, trying to work out the dynamics in the room.
What is going on?
No answers came, and in a seamless move, Cut reached behind him and pulled free a pistol.
My heart stopped.
I stood transfixed in the centre, stuck between Jethro and Vaughn. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t decide who was the most at risk of a madman waving a gun.
“Help him up, will you, Daniel?” Cut pointed the muzzle at Jethro.
I blinked back another vertigo spell as I darted forward. “No!”
Cut trained the gun on me. “Do not move, Ms. Weaver.”
Daniel obeyed, grabbing Jethro under his arms, yanking him upright. The moment he was on his feet, Jethro bent forward, looking like he would throw up or pass out. Sweat darkened his hair, his naked thighs bunched with effort to remain standing. He looked so defenceless in a t-shirt and boxer-briefs—clear evidence that we’d broken every rule and slept together.
Cut cocked the weapon, glaring at his son. “I’m going to give you one last choice, Jethro.”
Jethro shook his head, smacking his lips. “No more choices. Just kill me and let the Weavers go.” His eyes flickered to my unconscious brother. “Both of them.”
Daniel snickered—completely in his element. Bonnie just watched while Jasmine and Kes remained mute with nerves.
No one spoke. No one wanted to bring attention to themselves while Cut wielded a gun.
“One more choice,” Cut repeated. “You better choose wisely.” Planting his stance in the thick carpet, he raised the weapon.
Jasmine whimpered as the muzzle pointed at Kes. “Father, please…don’t do this. We love you. We’re your children!”
“Silence,” Bonnie commanded. “You will do as I say, child. No more talking without permission.”
Jasmine seemed to wilt, but her shoulders remained defiant.
Kestrel puffed out his chest, facing death with the decorum of any worthy fighter. “You’ll never live with yourself if you do this,” he muttered. “I’m your son.”
Cut bared his teeth. “You ceased being my son the moment you uploaded the atrocity of a video and thought I was so fucking stupid to buy it.” His head whipped to Jethro. “Choose, Jet!”
“I don’t know what you want me to do!” Jethro yelled. “You expect me to name a sibling for you to murder? Why would I when it was all my fault? They had nothing to do with this. Nothing!”
Cut stiffened, closing his eye to aim.
I ran forward—to do what? Who knew. But I was too late.
“Wrong choice.” His finger squeezed the trigger.
The gunpowder ignited.
The room ricocheted with noise.
A bullet leapt from the gun, tearing faster than sight to lodge into a Hawk offspring.
“No!” Jethro bellowed, charging forward.
A flare of red appeared on Kestrel’s chest the second before he collapsed to his knees. His face went blank with shock, lips round with disbelief.
“You never had a choice,” Cut murmured, aiming at his daughter.
Jethro moved the second Cut pulled the trigger.
I saw it all.
I felt it all.
One moment, Jethro was alive. His heart beating. His soul linked with mine.
The next, he threw himself in front of his wheelchair-bound sister, accepting the bullet into his own body.
I didn’t react for the longest moment.
I couldn’t believe the story before me.
He couldn’t be dead.
He can’t be dead.
He’s not dead!
I staggered forward, my hands clamping over my mouth.
He cannot be dead!
Jasmine screamed as her brother fell over her, his torso slamming against her atrophied legs, his knees crashing to the carpet.
And then he rolled.
He rolled off his beloved sister, lying face down on the carpet.
“Nooooooooo!” I threw myself beside him, shaking him, begging him. “Jethro. Please, open your eyes!”
Daniel laughed. Bonnie stared. Jasmine screamed.
And through it all, Cut said nothing.
I could barely stay in one piece. My body wanted to dissolve into a billion fractals and float away in despair. I trembled so badly, it took two attempts to roll Jethro onto his back.
His eyes were closed, lips slack, blood blooming from his chest like a morbid rose—petals upon petals spreading with glowing crimson.
“Jethro…” Tears gushed down my face. Breaths were non-existent as I gagged and choked on sobs. “Please, don’t leave me. Not now.”
Then I was plucked up and away, dragged further and further from my lover.
I lost awareness of my body.
I shut down.
In my mind, I still kneeled beside Jethro feeling him grow colder by the second—leaving me.
Cut appeared in my vision, his face tight and strained. I hung lifeless in Daniel’s arms, unable to comprehend what just happened.
I was numb.
I was lifeless.
I was gone.
“Listen to me, Ms. Weaver. I’m only going to say this once.” Turning me in Daniel’s arms, Cut pointed at Vaughn. My brother lay splayed on the carpet just like Jethro and Kestrel, but unlike them, he was still with me. Still alive. Still in danger.
“Your brother is a recent addition to our family. He’s what you’d call collateral.” He stroked the sulphur-smoking muzzle of his gun. “I’m sick of you not obeying and I’m sick to fucking death of pinning hopes on a son who isn’t trustworthy. There’s been a change of plans.”
Daniel held me closer. “A good change of plans.”
Cut pointed at V. “If you’re good, he lives. If you’re bad, he dies.” He shrugged. “It couldn’t be any simpler than that.”
V moaned, rousing.
I wanted to feel something, but I’d switched off. Unable to cope.
I was a brittle leaf about to turn to dust in the wind.
Cut whispered, “Jethro and Kestrel are no longer your concern. They’ve paid for their lies and stupidity. I only hope you’re smarter than they were.”
Daniel sneered. “Only the worms will be interested in them now.”
No…it can’t be true.
Bending over me, Cut cast both Daniel and me in his monstrous shadow. “You should keep that in mind. I won’t hesitate to hurt you, Ms. Weaver. Think how easily I dispatched my sinning sons.” His face shadowed. “I would be afraid if I were you. Afraid and highly obedient.”
Cupping my chin, he pressed a dry kiss on my mouth.
My innards shrunk and died.
Jasmine’s sobs were background noise. V’s curses nothing more than a hum.
I’d just lost everything in a few short minutes.
He’s just lying there.
Get up, Jethro. Please, get up.
Cut ran his gun over my jaw. “Say hello to my new heir, Nila.”
No, he can’t mean…
Daniel jiggled me in his arms, never letting me go. He cupped my breasts with harsh fingers. “Be polite, whore. Say hello.”
I clamped my lips together.
I kept staring at Jethro, begging for this to be some terrible mistake.
“Along with inheriting my power, my fortune, and my title, Daniel has acquired the Debt Inheritance’s responsibility.” Cut placed himself in front of me, blocking Jethro’s bleeding body.
Every word made me crave a bullet. I wanted to end it. I wanted to chase Jethro to the underworld and leave everything behind.
There’s nothing left. Not anymore.
Bonnie shuffled forward, her cane sinking into the carpet. “We’ve all agreed to nominate a new master. If Daniel carries out the remainder of the tasks, he will take over my son’s position before his thirtieth.”
She came closer, bringing the stench of death with her. Her hazel eyes flashed, red lips spread in a victory grin. “When you left two months ago, I knew something special would have to be done upon your return. No one makes a mockery of my house like your family has done without paying a serious price. Consider this the beginning of a bigger debt. You owe us for the inconvenience your brother caused.”
Cut laughed, pressing cold fingers beneath my chin, angling my face to his. “Understand, Ms. Weaver, Daniel will carry out the Final Debt. And if he does, as I trust he will, everything goes to him. And unlike my previous sons, he will not disappoint me.” Placing another dry kiss on my lips, he murmured, “Congratulations Ms. Weaver. You now belong to Daniel ‘Buzzard’ Hawk…