I didn’t believe him. How could I ever do that? How could I ever betray myself in such a way? But I couldn’t trust he wouldn’t play my body better than I could control it. I couldn’t know if the drug-liquor had left my system entirely, and I wouldn’t give in. My options had been submit and let Jethro leave Africa unhurt and alive. Or not agree and watch Cut rip him apart once he’d raped me anyway.
What good were options when they only offered one conclusion?
I’m sorry, Jethro.
He’d come to my rescue only to find Daniel had touched me and I’d touched his father. What a fucked-up situation to be in.
Cut leaned against the table, his fingers tucking my hair behind my ear. “It’s a simple fracture, Nila. You should be thankful I didn’t slice you open and insert my diamonds directly into your bloodstream.” His touch dropped, tracing an outline on my wrist. “You’ve kept all limbs. You’ve retained your precious body. This is merely a means to the final end.”
I looked up, shaking with anger. The pain plaited with rage as I stared him down. “One day, someone will do to you what you’ve done to others. Someday, your crimes will come back to visit you, and I hope I’m there to tell you to bethankful.”
Cut scowled. “If that day ever comes, Ms. Weaver, I can safely say you will not be in attendance.” Holding out his hand, he snapped, “Now, don’t make me ask again. Give me your arm.”
I twisted my body away, hugging my broken limb. “No.”
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
“You already did.”
“What does that tell you?”
I didn’t reply.
He growled, “It tells you I’ll rectify the pain I’ve caused. I have no doubt after each debt Jethro would’ve tended to you. Am I right? He would’ve fixed his wrongs and ensured you were healthy to continue.”
My mouth fell open. “You’re sick.”
I couldn’t stop my eyes flying to Jethro. In my haze of pain, I hadn’t given him attention. I hadn’t seen him thrashing on the floor, desperately trying to get free. I hadn’t witnessed him covering himself in mine dust, furious tears tracking mud down his cheeks.
Oh, Kite.
My heart hurt almost as much as my arm.
Cut pointed to the equipment on the table. “Open your eyes, Nila. What do you think this stuff is?”
Despite myself, I looked closer. Before, the items made no sense...now, they began to.
Gauze, water, padding, and medical packets with jargon stating their contents as plaster strips.
A cast.
He’s going to make you a cast.
I sniffed, fighting back another wash of agony. “If you’re honestly going to set my arm, I want painkillers first.”
I expected a scoff and refusal. But Cut merely nodded and opened a small plastic case. Popping out two tablets from a blister foil, he handed them to me with a bottle of water. “They’re codeine. You’re not allergic, are you?”
I bared my teeth. “Why? You going to care if I have a reaction?”
He frowned. “Despite what I’ve just done, I want you to remain well. We have a long journey ahead of us, and your pain needs to be managed accordingly—minus any allergies.”
I swallowed my fear. “Long journey?”
Cut nodded as I threw the tablets into my mouth and drank. The water slipped down my parched throat like liquid life. I hadn’t eaten or drunk in so long.Too long. The water splashed in my stomach, reminding me how empty it was.
“I didn’t break your arm for fun, Nila.” Cut shoved away the plastic container, ripping open a packet of plaster strips a moment later. “I told you.We smuggle diamonds. We’re going home, and I want to take a few high-quality stones with me. They’re larger than normal and rare. I want to keep them with me at all times.”
“Withyouat all times? Me, you mean?” Another wave of pain made me hiss.
