Four weeks of adjustment and simplicity.
I’d had my cast removed and my arm had knitted together, erasing Cut’s crime. My father and I had discussed the revelation of Jacqueline many times, and V and I were both keen to track down our triplet and stare into the eyes of a lost relation.
Every day brought different experiences. Kes was gone. It was hard to get used to—especially as he deserved to enjoy the changes we slowly wrought on Hawksridge Hall—but time ticked onward, dragging us forward without him.
After staying with us for a few weeks—to clear the air and spend time together as a new puzzle-fitted family—my father moved back to London to oversee a busy part of the year with fabric deliveries and demands.
Vaughn stayed most weekends, chatting quietly, slowly letting go of his animosity about a past he couldn’t change. Instead, he focused on a future so much brighter.
During the week, my twin spread his time between his penthouse and Hawksridge. He and Jaz spent a lot of time together, and Jethro and V talked more and more.
I’d caught them chatting over cognac beside a roaring fire in the gaming room. The room no longer tarnished with gambling debts and almost-rapes but a place where my lover and brother found friendship.
Tinsel hair brushing dark hair, discussing the world’s problems and hopefully seeing eye-to-eye on most subjects.
I’d also seen them chuckling over something juvenile in the dining room, slowly switching from enemies to friends.
I’d stop and watch, hidden by shadows, and allow residual fear to flee. The gaming room was no longer the room where the Third Debt was almost repaid, the octagonal conservatory no longer where the First Debt was extracted, and the lake no longer where the Second Debt had been delivered. They were blank canvases ready for new memories.
Hawksridge slowly shed its antiquity of brutality and pain, relaxing into agentle ceasefire.
And now Jethro had brought me to another place I’d already been.
Diamond Alley.
The fascinating warehouse where I’d met Kill for the first time.
Arthur ‘Kill’ Killian had returned to Florida after the final battle and the day I almost lost my head. We had a future because of him. We had a life to look forward to because of what those men did that day.
Knocking the same door we’d passed through last time we came here, a small pang hit my heart. Kes wasn’t with us today, and he wouldn’t be any other day, but his presence never left. Jethro didn’t bring him up often, but I knew he thought about him.
The nine-digit password was accepted and the door opened.
Immediately, Jethro handed me a pair of sunglasses and pulled me into the large diamond building. The incredibly bright spotlights warmed my skin like a tropical sunshine while tiny rainbows danced on the black velvet sorting pads of the tables.
The diamond collar I wore hummed to be amongst its kinsmen and I willingly clung to Jethro’s hand as he dragged me down the corridor toward the door I’d once thought was a janitor’s closet.
He didn’t say a word as he opened it and entered the code to the large safe and spun the dial. Once the armoured entrance hung open, Jethro bowed. “After you, Ms. Weaver.”
I grinned. “I can imagine Cut is turning over in his grave seeing Weavers stay happily in his Hall and touch his diamonds on display.”
Jethro hadn’t told me what’d happened in the outbuilding, and I hadn’t pried. That was his trauma and triumph to bear.
Bonnie had been buried on the estate, in the catacombs beneath the house. Her sarcophagus had already been crafted as per the custom of burial rights for rich lords and ladies.
At first, I hated to think of Bonnie beneath my feet as I roamed the Hall, but after a while, I didn’t mind. I’d won. She hadn’t. It was her penance, not mine, to witness life move on for the better while she rotted below.
Daniel’s body had never been found. His bones gnawed on and flesh devoured by predators. The Hawks had taken so much from the African soil. Karma had seen to pay that debt with his flesh.
“I don’t think he would’ve minded as much as we think.” Jethro moved toward the safety deposit boxes. “In the end, he truly was sorry for what he’d done. Without him revoking the conditions on his last Will and Testament, all of this would’ve been lost. We would’ve spent years in legal battles trying to claim our birthright and Hawksridge would’ve been torn to pieces by the state.”
I looped my fingers, listening quietly. Whatever passed between Jethro and Cut that day was their own affair, but I was glad Jethro got closure. Cut hadn’t died with hate in his heart as I’d expected. He’d died with an apology and sorrow. I hoped he was at peace, wherever he was.
Standing in the middle of the safe, I waited as Jethro pulled out the long gunmetal grey drawer.
My heart beat faster.
I know what’s in there.
