He hacked and spluttered, sucking in a noisy breath.
Cut stomped forward, towering over me. “Nila fucking Weaver—”
I glared at him, balling the sodden gag and throwing it at his face. My left arm never had strong coordination, and the toss ended up soaring past his cheek. “He can barely breathe. Shut up! Letting him talk won’t change things,you monster.”
“Needle—” Jethro coughed, spittle landing on his chin.
Needle.
The name I’d asked him to call me so many months ago when I didn’t know he was Kite007. Tears sprang to my eyes. “I’m here.”
I wished I could sit him upright, but he’d broken the chair and without cutting the ropes, I couldn’t help him.
God, I hate this. All of this.
Jethro smiled, grimacing with pain. “Fuck, Nila, I’m—”
I placed a shaking finger over his dried lips. “Don’t. I know.”
We shared an endless look, weighted with past and present. The unsaid words sank into my soul like a heavy anchor, lodging itself in my heart forever.
Bending over him, I brushed my lips against his temple. His bloody temple from the car crash. How badly was he injured? His forehead still burned from his fever and the gunshot wound on his side hadn’t scabbed.
He needs help. And fast.
Glancing at Cut, I begged, “Please, bring him with us. He needs a doctor.”
Cut crossed his arms. “He’ll stay here until I say.”
“But—”
“No fucking buts.” Holding out his hand, Cut snapped, “You’ve said goodbye. Time to go.”
“No!”
Cut towered higher. “The longer you deny what will happen—regardless of your willingness—the longer Jethro has to go without medical help.” He cocked his head. “Does that encourage you now? Knowing you have the power to get him much-needed attention by behaving?”
I hated I had the power to save the man I loved by obeying the man I hated.
Gritting my teeth, I looked down at Jethro one last time. “I have to go.”
He shook his head, his lungs rattling and wet. “No.”
“I love you, Kite.”
His eyes glossed with fear. “Nila...don’t. This isn’t the end. I don’t care what he says. I’m coming after you. I’ll stop the Final Debt. I promise.” He shook hard in his binds. “I fucking promise, I’ll stop it. You’re mine. I won’t let the Debt Inheritance have you. I won’t!”
His pouring unhappiness and despair cracked my heart. I couldn’t let him drain himself of whatever reserves he had left. Cupping his cheek with my good hand, I guided his face to mine.
I never closed my eyes and neither did he as I kissed him.
His lips parted, his tongue threaded with mine, and we agreed he would fight for me. He would chase me. And who knew, maybe he would save me one last time.
Cut shattered our moment, yanking me away from Jethro and dragging me toward the exit. My arm bellowed, but it was nothing compared to the internal shattering at leaving Jethro behind.
At the door, Cut pulled me closer and I staggered in grey imbalance, imprinting Jethro on my soul forever.
His chin cocked, keeping me in his sights for as long as he could. “Don’t give up, Nila. It’s not over.”
