I growled and struggled, but it was no use.
Shit!
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe the Fourth Debt would still include slicing off a limb or appendage. I had to stop him!
Don’t!
Don’t fucking touch her!
With a flick of his wrist, Cut sliced through the rope around Nila’s wrists and spun her around to face him again.
The relief at no blood being drawn layered my shoulders with heavy relief. I slouched, breathing hard, fighting through thethump-thumpof my headache.
Thank fuck.
Tucking the knife back into his pocket, he smiled. “Now you’ve had time to think about your lies, Nila, let’s try again. Where is Daniel?”
Black hair flicked as she shook her head. “I’ve already told you. I don’t know.”
“You do know.”
“I don’t.”
Cut gathered her close, wedging her body against his. “When I find out the truth, you’ll understand I can deliver pain outside of the original debts to be claimed.” He ran a hand over her chin. “If I find out you’ve hurt or somehow killed my youngest, you’ll wish to God you died in the car crash today.”
Pacing away, he gathered his temper. His boots scuffed the earthen floor.
My eyes immediately latched with Nila’s. Now Cut’s body didn’t block hers, I shot as much love and pride that I could.
I’m so fucking in love with you.
She smiled sadly.I know.
We’ll get through this.
Her body folded with depression. Her eyes didn’t return a response.
Cut moved behind Nila, folding his arms around her in a rotting embrace. Locking eyes with me, he whispered in Nila’s ear.
I couldn’t hear, but the change in Nila faded her heartbeat by heartbeat.
Christ, I wanted to stop this. Hadn’t he done enough?
My tongue pulsed against the gag, doing my best to curse and yell.
Her spine rolled, her cheeks whitened, her hands opened and closed by her sides. When Cut finished whispering, she bit her lip and shook her head.
He murmured again, his breath disturbing her short hair.
Once again, she shook her head, gritting her jaw against the sudden sickness rolling from her. Not sick from a malady but sick to the stomach with hate and disgust.
What did he say to her?
What happened at Hawksridge with the dice?
Cut whispered harder, his voice hissing like a snake. Again words were non-existent but his tone was insistent. He pointed a finger at me, his lips forming rapid threats.
Don’t listen to him.
