All of those, I’d been on my own. Jethro had been beside me, but he wasn’t family.
This one was personal.
My brother would see just what I’d been dealing with.
I hated that but was grateful, too.
His presence would force me to be stronger than I might have been.
Jethro...I’m sorry I lied to you.
Cut cleared his throat. “Daniel will inform you of your history lesson, and then we shall begin. Youwillconsent to this debt being claimed, Nila. Just like you’ll consent to the rest.”
“Stop. Wait! Leave her alone.” Vaughn struggled against Marquise, his eyes frantic. “Whatever you’re about to do. Fucking stop it. She’s suffered enough, goddammit!”
Bonnie sighed. “Marquise.”
The big man quirked an eyebrow, holding on to my brother as if he were a fly on a string. “Yes, Madame?”
“Gag him.”
“Of course.” Marquise let V go with one hand and dug into his backpocket. With inhuman strength, he slammed my brother against his mountainous chest and forced the black bandana through his lips.
“Wait!” I launched forward, only to be jerked back by Daniel. “This is between us. Let him go.”
Bonnie sneered, “Oh, he’ll be let go, alright.”
My heart slipped from tar to fossil. “What do you mean?”
Please don’t mean death. Please!
“I mean if you play this game correctly, Vaughn can go home tonight.”
My heart exploded with hope. “Truly?”
Do I dare believe them?
Disbelief shook its head, but the cruel spark of optimism begged it to be true.
Bonnie smiled. “Play correctly, and he goes home, untouched. He returns to his family because of your sacrifice out of love.”
Vaughn mumbled something unintelligible behind the gag.
“However, if you play incorrectly, he’ll stay here. He’ll suffer right along with you and we’ll end his journey the same moment we end yours.”
He’ll die with me.
That could never happen. I couldn’t be responsible for my brother’s death.
“You have my word, I’ll play. Send him home now. You don’t need him to make me behave.” I couldn’t look at Vaughn while I traded my life for his. He’d be full of guilt and rage at not being able to stop me.
Cut rubbed a hand over his mouth. “If you are a good girl, Nila, and he goes home, don’t think he’s untouchable. Don’t think this is mercy or that we’ve overlooked his ability to bring havoc to our world again. This is another checkmate in a game you’re too stupid to understand.”
A question burned in my chest. I needed to know the answer, but at the same time, it led to such confusion. “Why?”
Cut paused. “Why? I just told you why—if you don’t obey—”
“No, not that.”I can’t believe I’m doing this. “Whylet him go? I thought you were keeping him until I paid...”
