Cut followed but didn’t enter. His arm slung over the roof, leaning his bulk against the door. His leather jacket creaked and his crumpled shirt showed evidence of a long flight, but his eyes gleamed bright and shrewd. “Put your seatbelt on, Nila. Can never be too careful.”
If I hadn’t agreed with him, I would’ve spat in his face.
My hand shook a little from hunger as I pulled the belt over my chest and buckled in. Now, if only Daniel didn’t put his on and we had a car accident—flying through the windscreen and splattering like a gnat on the road.
My stomach twisted as the images switched to Jethro. Thousands of miles now separated us. Oceans and valleys, continents and mountains. My fingers itched to text him. My hands empty of the one possession that’d allowed me communication for the past several months. My phone had become more thanan outlet of transmission; it’d become a lifeline.
But I hadn’t had time to grab it. The device sat abandoned in my quarters at the Hall.
I couldn’t tell Jethro—couldn’t advice plans or activities.
I’m on my own.
I’m all alone.
My hidden knitting needle grew warm, humming with a war beat.
It doesn’t matter.
I’m ready.
“Remember what I said, Nila. The next few days are of mutual benefit. Treat it as such.” Looking at Daniel, Cut rubbed a hand over his brow. “I’ll meet you there. Have a few errands to run on the way.”
Daniel nodded. “Fine.”
“You’ll sort everything out?”
“Don’t worry about us.” Daniel smiled, squeezing my thigh with biting fingers. “We’ll have a fantastic time on our own, won’t we, Nila?”
I flinched. My mind raced with scenarios on how to stop my future from unfolding. I didn’t know how long the drive would be, but the minute we arrived at our destination, I was ruined.
There was no one to tell him no.
No one to interrupt if he tried to rape me again.
And he will try again.
My left hand disappeared into my hoodie pocket, fisting around the needle.
I have to be ready to do whatever is necessary.
If that meant becoming a killer with a tool of my trade, then so be it. Cut wouldn’t be there. Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to slaughter Daniel and put one demon into his grave.
Cut leaned into the Jeep, grabbing Daniel by the scruff of his neck. The symbolism wasn’t lost on me. He held his son like an animal would hold its troublesome young.
“You are not to touch her, understand? Put her to bed and guard her. Let her rest. And by rest, I mean prepare for what’s in store.”
Letting Daniel go, Cut wiped his hands on the front of his jeans. “You touch her, Buzzard, and you won’t be in fit shape to claim the Third Debt. Got it?”
My heart galloped.
Cut was the one person I wanted to die a gruesome death, but he’d just saved me from his vile offspring. Was it jealousy at not getting first dibs? Or some sick chauvinistic protection?
Daniel scowled. “No fair. You said—”
“I said we’d make her pay the Third Debt when we arrived. However, that means weshare.” Cut’s eyes glittered. “I find out you didn’t share, Hawksridge gets locked in a trust and goes to Jasmine’s heir.”
“Fuck!” Daniel glared into the night, seething.
