To defend against people who mean them harm. Just like I’ll defend V from you.
Daniel continued, “We all know it’s a mother’s job to sacrifice herself for her children. Let’s see if you can be that strong for your sibling.” He shoved the dice under my nose. “This isn’t an ordinary dice. No numbers. See?”
I flinched.
“Only two colours. Red and black. Want to know what those colours mean?”
God, please let this end.
“Red is for blood—a physical toll you’ll have to submit to, in order for your brother to avoid the punishment for you.” He chuckled. “And black is for psychological—those hard to swallow decisions where there’s no right answer but only two shades of fucked-up.”
“Wrap it up, Dan,” Cut said. “Let’s get on with it.”
Daniel nodded. “Fine.” He tossed the dice from palm to palm. “What should your first trial be, Weaver? Something easy or hard?”
Vaughn fought in Marquise’s hold.
I ignored him. This wasn’t about him. This was about meprotectinghim. The Hawks already knew I’d accept every task, no matter what it was. It wasn’t a choice, but a necessity. Bearing pain myself was doable, watching my twin go through it...unthinkable.
Rubbing his chin, Daniel murmured, “I think my first roll will be...” Shaking the dice, he released it. The plastic bounced against the thick carpet, coming to a stop on black.
Black...psychological.
I stiffened as an idea lit his face. Leering at Vaughn, he said, “You have two choices, Nila. First, stay where you are and watch your brother suffer two blows to his gut, courtesy of Marquise. Or...”
I stood taller. “Or what?”
“Or...do what my ancestor had to do every night. She had to fuck her employer.”
My stomach bubbled with disgust. My tongue desiccated with horror. “I—I—no.”
Daniel grabbed his cock. “Gonna fuck me for the Third Debt. Might as well get used to it, bitch.”
I wanted to throw up.
Vaughn wriggled and groaned in his binds.
Visions of willingly submitting to Daniel in front of my brother caused tears to swell. I couldn’t...could I?
Incredibly, Bonnie came to my rescue. “I’m not watching a rutting. Kiss him, Ms. Weaver. Save the rest for a room without my presence.”
My heart scurried like a terrified rabbit.
Daniel bared his teeth. “Don’t override me. I’ll get her to do whatever the fuck I want.”
Cut crossed his arms. “Not tonight. You’ll have her. And it’s going to be a far sight better than a quick fuck on the floor.” Coming toward me, his eyes lit up with secrets. “We’ll be somewhere no one can touch you. And you’ll do whatever we say.”
Vaughn struggled as Cut pressed a fleeting kiss on my mouth. “Now, go kiss my son to avoid your brother being punched, and then we can move on.”
Daniel grumbled, “Fine, kiss me, whore. But not just any kiss; something that will make mebelieveyou mean it.”
V jerked in Marquise’s hold, the groan in his chest a resounding plea for him to take the punishment. Didn’t he see? I couldn’t live with myself if I had a way of sparing him more pain.
A kiss is nothing. A kiss I can do.
A small price to pay for my brother’s wellbeing.
Linking my hands together, I lashed myself tighter than the twine. Holding my chin high, I turned to Daniel.
