Sucking in a heavy breath, he pinched the bridge of his nose. Without looking up, he murmured, “Your job is to serve us while we gamble, Ms.Weaver.” His eyes landed on mine only to dart away a second later. “You are to do as we ask in all instances. Understood?”
I didn’t listen to his words but his eyes. They shot their own message—but it was scrambled, hectic, unfathomable.
“Grab a fresh ashtray from the sideboard and replenish the peanuts,” Cut commanded.
I couldn’t move.
Cut twisted his body to face me. “Why are you still standing there? Did you not hear me?”
Oh, God. Oh, God.
My hands fisted and I tried to obey, but my legs seized with terror.
Kes stood up, scattering a few nutshells. “I’ll show—”
Cut slammed his palm on the table, toppling stacks of poker chips. “Sit down, Angus, and fucking behave.” Glowering at me, he snarled, “Do as you’re told, Ms. Weaver, or this gets a hundred times worse.”
Jethro hung his head, dragging a hand over his nape. His eyes infernoed with hatred, blazing at his father.
Cut bellowed, “Now!”
Kes hastily sat back down. I somehow found the strength to move. Silently, I made my way barefoot to the sideboard where staff had left an expensive bottle of cognac, more cigars, crystal ashtrays, and an array of nuts and crisps for the game.
With shaking hands, I grabbed a bag of honey-roasted peanuts and hugged them. Suffering another vertigo tilt-a-whirl, I spun to face the men.
Four Hawks.
One of me.
I baulked.
I didn’t want to go anywhere near them. The table had an aura of evil around it, dangerous and foreign, screaming at me to run. Even Jethro was shrouded, neither granting me strength through his love nor soothing me that somehow he would save me.
Cut snapped his fingers, cigar smoke wisping toward the ceiling. “We don’t have all fucking night.”
The grandfather clock chimed the hour.
The heavy gong reverberated like visible notes, rippling through the air.
Clang.
Clang.
I’ll move when it ends.
Clang.
Clang.
Four chimes. I forced courage into my veins, even though I’d used every drop. I couldn’t bear to look at the clock to see how many were left.
Clang.
Clang.
“Shit, girl. Get over here now!” Cut yelled.
Clang.
