He chuckled, holding me against his chest. “I never knew you were soeager.”
The moment I could see without the whitewash of nausea, I growled and fought to get free.
Cut let me go, smiling as I backed away only to end up in Daniel’s arms.
This can’t be happening!
A sob escaped through my gag. My heart was supersonic—a dying piece of muscle about to combust at any moment.
“Fuck, Nila. Agree to the damn debt!” Jethro suddenly exploded.
The room froze. More tears torrented. More pain imaginable cleaved me in two.
I narrowed my eyes, funnelling my disgust fully into his gaze.You want me raped by your fucking family? Fine.
Raising my chin, I hoped he saw just how badly he’d screwed up. I was prepared to forgive him everything. His ice. His lies. His closed off arctic behaviour.
Everything.
But not this.
Nothing could absolve this.
Ever.
You understand, Jethro Hawk? The love in my heart for you. It dies. Right now.
It’s over!
Jethro flinched, bumping into Kestrel.
Kes clutched his brother’s hand, squeezing it hard. Jethro wiped a hand over his mouth as if he could prevent any more monstrous things from escaping.
Kes’s voice was strained and sharp. “Do you consent, Nila Weaver? Answer the question.”
I never looked away from Jethro. I was the queen on this carpet chessboard. I was the most powerful player in the entire long-winded game, yet my king had just ended the game with one colossal mistake.
Tearing myself from Daniel’s arms, I moved forward to stand in the centre of Hawks. With my shoulders proud and body vibrating, I nodded.
One single nod.
Yes.
Yes, I’ll pay your sick and twisted debt, but I will never be the same. I will never be so soft and stupid. I will never let love convince me of goodness in others. I will be hatred personified, and I will fucking slaughter every single one of you when you’re done.
“That’s it, then.” Jethro swayed to the poker table. He moved like a soldier who’d been shot in battle—a warrior about to die. Snatching the lid off the cognac bottle, he angled the liquor and drank. His powerful throat contracted, guzzling fast, before he tore it away, slammed it down, and stormed to the exit.
In a moment, he was gone.
What?!
He wasn’t even going to be there towatch? To have his heart torn out witnessing the awfulness he’d befallen?
My tears dried up in complete shock.
I shut down.
Everything inside turned to ruins.
