Cut gave me a stern look.
Samuel Cole, who hadn’t made a sound since I’d arrived, spoke up. “In that case, it is my duty to advise all of you that this new clause will be forever known as amendment 1-345-132.”
My eyes widened. How many amendments had there been to warrant such a crazy number?
Judging by the stacks of paperwork...a lot. Far too many. Was there anything left of the original contract?
Mr. Cole continued, “Due to the unfortunate deaths of the firstborn, Jethro Hawk...”
Pain slammed into me.
Agony tore out my heart.
Misery crumbled me into dust.
Jethro.
God, I wish you hadn’t left me.
I couldn’t sit up straight; howling winds of grief ripped me apart. I hunched into myself, holding my ribcage to keep from sobbing.
I managed to remain silent.
But Jasmine didn’t.
Her lip wobbled, tears streaking her cheeks. She cracked, but it didn’t last long. Sucking in a breath, she reached into the small satchel attached to her wheelchair and pulled out another handkerchief.
Bowing her head, she dabbed at her eyes.
My lips twisted in disgust. “I don’t buy your crocodile tears. Don’t bother putting on a show when I know you were part of this murder from the start.”
Her head shot upright. Our souls duelled, violence sparking between us.
Cole cleared his throat. “In natures of the firstborn perishing, the following may occur: The Debt Inheritance can be called null and void, leaving Ms. Weaver to propagate and provide a new heir for the payment at a later date, or, if both parties agree, a new heir instated. In the case of Jethro ‘Kite’ Hawk’s demise, the second in line, Angus ‘Kestrel’ Hawk also suffered an untimely end.”
God, how much longer can this nightmare continue?
I huddled further into my chair, a silent tear escaping. More swelled, wanting to river, but I refused to show my pain.
Jasmine blew her nose, her cheeks glittering with moisture.
I wanted to snatch each fake droplet and ram them down her lying throat.
Daniel smirked, showing no other emotion. “Guess that leaves me in a lucky place.”
Cole ignored him. “In this case, we’ve been asked to draft the following arrangement to protect both interests and move forward.” Placing a pair of silver-rimmed glasses on his nose, he picked up an identical copy of the contract. “On this day, the Debt Inheritance will be carried out by the remaining bloodlines of the Hawk family against the crimes committed by the Weavers. Jasmine Diamond Hawk will have sole custody and responsibility for Nila Weaver’s wellbeing until such a time as the Final Debt is claimed.”
Daniel squirmed in his chair. “What the fuck? But—”
“Let him finish,” Bonnie ordered.
“Upon his thirtieth birthday, Daniel ‘Buzzard’ Hawk will gain the wealth and many estates associated with the Hawk empire and become the next undisputed heir to both the estate and future Debt Inheritance. It will be his responsibility to provide a firstborn son or the next generation will be exempt.”
I sagged, finding a smidgen of silver lining.
At least there would be no more Weavers from my bloodline to claim the debts from—and Daniel would be dead. I pitied my cousin’s family tree if the Hawks had another heir in mind, but I would never have children and Vaughn wouldn’t be stupid enough. He’d never let another one of our family go through what we had. The Hawks were screwed. They’d burned those bridges completely.
Cole carried on in his smooth voice. “The final note to be observed is the matter of who will carry out the Fourth Debt.”
