Cut sat taller in his chair at the head of the table, steepling his hands in front of him. “Jethro’s right, Nila.”
Nila.
I hated that everyone called her Nila. They had no right to her first name. If and when anyone addressed her by it, it should be me.
Why don’t you then? She wants you to. She asked strongly enough in the woods.
I didn’t have an answer to that. And I didn’t have the guts to search for one.
Nila shook her head, looking at my father. “Is this another one of your mind games?”
Cut smiled reservedly. “No games. I told you, you’re a part of this family now. You’ll be treated kindly and respectfully. You will come to care for us, just like you care for your own flesh and blood.”
“Never,” she spat.
Cut chuckled. “Your mother said the same thing, but by the end, she willingly paid the last debt. A pet can only hate its owner for so long. But ply it with warmth, safety, kindness, and good food, and soon...you’ll have no choice but to let go of that hatred in your heart and embrace the life we’re giving you.”
“The life you mean to steal.”
He nodded. “The life we mean to steal. But also the life we willcontinue to nurture as long as we have your strict obedience.” His eyes landed on me. “Give me an update, Jet. How are things progressing? Have you followed my instructions?”
Not one.
Not a single fucking rule had I followed. And yet...what had happened in the woods after I’d hunted her down had taken something from her. We’d shared something. Something I never wanted to share with another human being, because it made me feel so damn weak.
Ignoring the question, I sat taller. “The First Debt will be paid this afternoon.”
Nila sucked in a breath. Her fear of the unknown did a much better job than I ever could.
Cut relaxed into his chair. “Good.”
A second passed.
Another ticked silently before Nila snapped, “Have you forgotten my promise so soon, Mr. Hawk?”
The table froze; men looked from the skinny seamstress to their leather-jacketed leader.
Cut tensed. “No, I haven’t forgotten.”
“I meant what I said,” Nila growled. “Iwillkill you. You can pretend you’re kind and keep me in good health, but I will never forget what you’ve done.”
I stood up, slapping my palms loudly on the table. “Ms. Weaver!”
Her head snapped in my direction, her dark eyes blazing. “Was I talking to you? You’re as bad as he is. I have a good mind to kill you, too.”
My heart raced, shedding the glacier in favour of excitement.
Excitement? How the hell did she confuse me and draw out such lubricous reactions? “Oh, you can try. We’ll see who wins. A seasoned hunter or a fumbling dressmaker? I know who I’d place money on.”
Nila shoved her chair back, standing in one swift move. She looked as if she would hurl herself over the table to slap me.
Cut shouted, “Out! All of you.”
Shit.
Tearing my eyes from the trembling, angry woman before me, I muttered, “Cut, let me—”
Punish her.
