It has to stop.
Letting her chin go, I slapped her.
A puff of surprise and pain escaped her lips.
The ring in my palm reminded me of the man I’d been groomed to be, and I threw myself headfirst into it. The bright flush on her cheek as her face snapped sideways begged me to lick her.
So, I did.
Dragging her close, I lapped my tongue over her hot, punished flesh, whispering, “You would like me too much if I gave into your goading, Ms. Weaver. I warned you before—if you insist on playing this game, you won’t win.”
She breathed hard. “Funny, I thought the score was pretty even.”
I pressed my cold lips against her smarting cheek. “Funny, I thought you lost the day you were born.”
She sucked in a breath, her dark eyes swimming with tears.
Strike for me.
I’d won that argument, so why did my stomach feel like fucking lead?
Letting her go, I grabbed the newly drafted contract from the desk and shoved it in her face. “You agreed to this. Sign it.”
Her mouth popped wide, taking in the freshly inked document. I’d spent many nights carefully penning it in the way of our custom with quill and ink, rather than computer and printer. It wasn’t perfect, but it was binding, and that was all that fucking mattered.
Grabbing the same swan feather I’d used to scratch out the paperwork, I stole Nila’s hand and hooked her fingers around the quill.
“What is this?”
“The agreement owed from your disastrous attempt at running.” Tapping the page, I said, “Sign it.”
“I’m not signing anything until I’ve read it.” Her gaze glowed black, her cheek still pink from my slap.
Taking a step back, I splayed my hands, presenting the contract. “By all means, Ms. Weaver. Read away.”
She scowled, her hands shaking as she snatched it from my grip.
Her lips parted as she read.
I didn’t need to see it to know what it said. It was ingrained on my soul.
Date: 5thSeptember 2014
Jethro Hawk, firstborn son of Bryan Hawk, and Nila Weaver, firstborn daughter of Emma Weaver, hereby solemnly swear this is a law-abiding and incontestable contract.
Nila Weaver revokes all ownership of her freewill, thoughts, and body and grants them into the sole custody of Jethro Hawk, as per the agreement made the morning of the 19thof August when Nila Weaver took up the offer from Jethro Hawk to run in exchange for her freedom.
The previous incontestable document named the Debt Inheritance falls into second right of claimant and will remain void as long as this new agreement is in effect.
The terms brokered were for Nila’s freedom and release of the Debt Inheritance if she won, and her willing signature revoking everything that she is to Jethro Hawk if she lost.
On the 19thof August, Nila Weaver lost; therefore, this agreement is complete and binding.
Both Nila Weaver and Jethro Hawk promise neither circumstance, norchange of heart will alter this vow.
In sickness and in health.
Two houses.
