“Yes, you are. Because I’m doing something he never did.” His nose almost brushed mine as he yanked me close. “Saving your arse.”
“You don’t understand!”
“No, Threads.Youdon’t understand. They’ve kept you here, treating you fucking awful for months. They’ve twisted your thoughts and made you suffer that Stockholm shit. Well, it’s over. We’re going home.”
His hand landed on the doorknob, wrenching it side to side.
Locked.
He whirled on Jaz, carting me back like a prisoner. Shoving his hand beneath her nose, he growled, “Key. Now.”
Her chin rose. “No. Not until you agree to help me.”
“Never. Give me the key.” He bent down, crazed with rage. “I won’t ask again.”
“And I won’t ask for your help again. I’ll just make you.”
Vaughn raised his hand.
“Wait!” I jumped forward, barricading him from slapping her. “Don’t!”
V’s mouth popped wide. “You’re seriously defending her, Threads? After every-fucking-thing her family has done to you?”
I couldn’t believe it, either. If V had been there after the meeting with the lawyers, I would’ve willingly given him a gun and loaded the bullet myself. But that was before I started listening—trulylistening. Jaz was on our side.
He’s alive.
But for how much longer?
Waving my arms, I whisper-shouted, “Enough! Yes, I’m defending her. Yes, I’m in love with Jethro. And no, I won’t go anywhere with you until he’s safe.” Trembling, I looked over my shoulder at Jasmine.
She sat unruffled, her hand curled around a black gun that’d appeared from under her blanket.
I knew it! I knew she’d have an arsenal hidden in there.
Our eyes met.
I could make a big deal out of the weapon or I could focus on the task at hand.
Jethro and Kes...
Ignoring the pistol, I asked, “What’s your plan? Why do you need my brother to help?”
“Mr. Weaver here is going to carry me where I need to go and do everything I tell him.”
“Like fuck I am.” Vaughn paced in front of us.
“V!” I scowled. “Just...listen, okay?”
A small glisten of emotion showed before Jaz added, “I can’t do this on my own and, Nila, you have to go back to your room.”
I shook my head. “I’ll come with you. I don’t want to go back—”
“It’s not a matter of what you want. It’s a matter of necessity. We’ll be gone a while. I need you to lie for me if it comes to that.”
“Lie for you?”
“You need to take my chair and tell them that I spent the night with you.” She eyed up V as he paced like a feral animal. “While he’ll be my legs and strength, you’ll be my safeguard. I need you to come up with any tale you need to in order to keep the truth about my brothers’ lives a secret. I don’t care what you say. Just keep it hidden.”
