“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 inDaniel’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. “Agoodchange 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 andhighlyobedient.”
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.
