Nila!
I couldn’t wait any longer.
Surprise would be on my side, but I hoped righteousness and fate would be, too.
Ducking beneath the entrance canopy, I charged inside.
My heart stopped.
My mouth fell open.
It couldn’t be.
“Nila...”
Her head shot up. She looked as wild as the animals of this country. She crouched beside my brother, her hands covered in blood, her hoodie hanging off one shoulder, and her legs bare and exposed. Bruises marred her porcelain skin, scratches and blemishes hinting at a fight I was too late to stop.
She jerked to the side, wielding a long red weapon. “Don’t—” Her eyes focused, then love poured from her. “Jethro? It can’t...it can’t be true.”
I staggered toward her, glancing between my half-naked woman and my dead brother. His cock was still hard on his belly. My skin crawled even as my heart stopped beating. “How...how did this happen?”
Her skin was white as milk, her frame shaking with adrenaline. My eyes drifted to her naked pussy and rage unfurled inside me.
“Did he rape you?” My hands curled as I stood over my brother’s corpse. “Did that motherfucker touch you?”
She shook her head, throwing down her weapon and wiping bloody hands on her hoodie. Her eyes flashed, hiding the truth she didn’t want me to see. “No.” Standing, she huddled into me.
My arms automatically wrapped around her, protecting her, even though I begged her to be honest with me.
He’d touched her.
That motherfucking animal touched what wasn’t his.
My embrace became shackles as I dropped my head in despair. Inhaling the softness of her scent and sharpness of spilled blood, I trembled with rage.
Nila let me hold her, her arms returning the furious hug.
I’m sorry.
So fucking sorry.
Her emotions collided with pride and purgatory. She’d killed him and hadn’t processed what his death would mean.
I hugged her harder.
I’m here.
Her voice whispered into my shirt. “He didn’t rape me, Jethro. I swear. I’m sorry...sorry...so sorry.”
Liar.
I understood why she’d lied. Even now, even with death on her hands and fear in her heart, she still tried to save me.
I was the one who’d let her down.
I was the one who made her return to the Hall.
This wasmyfault. “I did this.”
