Nila #3
You promised you’d end this.
My stomach somersaulted.
If they’re here for you. Leave.
You have no choice.
I ached.
“Warned who? What’s happened? Jethro...I’m not leaving. Even if they are here for me.”
Jethro didn’t move. He looked as if the light in his soul had snuffed out. The peace and openness of last night was gone. Disappeared.
“I’ll kill him for this,” he muttered.
Unfurling my hand, I looked at my inked finger. I needed him to know that what happened last night wasn’t a trick. He needed to know that I intended to stay—even though it might be the worst decision in the world.
My stomach clenched at the thought of leaving.
Facet blurted, “Sir, they’re here to take Nila Weaver home.”
The words fell like bombs, detonating my last hope.
It’s true then.
Cut stood up. He spoke slowly and with the blackest temper I’d ever seen. “You’re mistaken, boy. I suggest you get out of my sight. Tell whoever threatened you to get off my fucking land.”
“They’re—they’re in the annex, sir. They said if we don’t deliver the girl within five minutes, they’ll tear apart the place looking for her.”
Jethro fisted his hands. “Tell them she’s mine and she’s not going anywhere.”
Daniel stood. “She’s our Weaver now.”
In a sick twisted way, the men imprisoning me were now on my side. I was no longer just a betrayer to my ancestors but a betrayer to my father and brother, too.
You would rather stay here than go home.
I would rather love and die young than be empty forever.
“What is the meaning of this screeching inside my house?”
All eyes turned to the raspy voice of Bonnie Hawk as she appeared in the doorway.
Facet moved sideways, giving up his audience to the matriarch of this insane family.
“I see the plot has thickened.” Bonnie crooked a finger in my direction, a large ruby glinting in the light. “How did you do this?”
“Me?” I glanced from Bonnie to Jethro. “I didn’t do it. I wouldn’t.”
“It wasn’t her,” Jethro snapped. “Get rid of the police. She’s not leaving.”
My arms craved to wrap around him. To thank him for keeping me.
Bonnie shuffled closer, her long skirt dragging on the carpet.
Her white hair was curled and immaculate.
“She’s brought scorn and blasphemy to our name.
” Her eyes bored into mine. “I’ve seen what you do, little girl.
I know what you want. And you won’t get it.
” Pointing at the door, she ordered, “Get out.”
Cut punched the table. “No fucking—”
“She’s leaving this house.” Bonnie interrupted. “Now.”
Jethro moved to stand in front of me, blocking my body with his. “She’s staying.”
Bonnie smiled coldly. “There is no other way. They’re here for her. She’s going with them.” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me repeat myself, boy. You know as well as I do what your obligations are.”
I grabbed Jethro’s arm, unable to hide my emotions. If I hated the Hawks as much as Cut believed, I should’ve sprinted out the door, skipping with happiness. Instead, Cut would see that something deeper had happened—something that would be severely punished.
But I didn’t care.
Because if I didn’t fight, this was over. Here and now.
“Let me talk to them—”
Jethro spun to face me, his temper blazing. “You want to talk to them? To tell them what, exactly? The truth?”
“Enough!” Cut yelled. Looking at Bonnie, he frowned. “You want her gone?”
Bonnie nodded, her red lipstick smeared on thin lips. “Immediately.”
Cut sighed, his leather jacket creaking as anger wisped off him. “Fine,” he said sharply. “Nila Weaver, get the fuck out of my house.”
My heart crumbled.
Jethro crossed his arms, still shielding me. His ice slid back into place turning him impenetrable. “I’m the firstborn, and I say she isn’t fucking leaving.”
Cut moved around the table, his fists clenching. “You dare do this here, son? You know you’ll lose—”
“Wait!”
A feminine voice whipped through the aching tension in the room.
“Jaz? What the hell are you doing in here?” Jethro asked, his mask slipping as he looked at his wheelchair bound sister.
She rolled into the dining room with the aid of a blonde-curled maid. Jasmine’s bronze eyes met Cut’s. “She can’t go, Father. It’s not finished.”
Cut breathed hard through his nose, his temper throbbing beneath his frayed self-control.
“Don’t speak of things you don’t understand.
Jethro didn’t control the situation. This is his mess.
He’s failed.” Cut looked piercingly at Jethro, sending goosebumps and terror down my spine. “It’s over. He’s done.”
The way he spoke...it sounded like a death sentence.
Jethro gasped, true fear coating his face. “It’s not over—”
“Shut. Up.” Cut sliced the air with his arm, silencing him. Looking at me, he snapped, “Leave, Ms. Weaver. Your time is up. I won’t tell you again.”
Jasmine’s gaze shot to Jethro’s. “Don’t let her go, Kite.”
Kite.
My soul splintered.
Bonnie shuffled forward. “I see what you’re doing, girl. Your family have been clever with their tricks and treachery, but I won’t let you spin any more of your filth.” Her wrinkly skin furrowed deeper with rage. “Get. Out. Now.”
“Was this always your plan, Father?” Jethro looked at Cut, panic and rage twisted his face. “You set me up to fail?” The depth of confusion and agony in his voice broke my heart.
My eyes flared wide. I didn’t understand.
“Jethro...he doesn’t matter. None of them do.” I squeezed his arm. “Believe in us. Believe in me.”
“Hush, stupid girl,” Bonnie snapped. “You’re the same as all the rest. Get out.” Pointing at the door, she hissed, “Go!”
The other bikers didn’t do a thing. Just sat and watched.
Jethro never tore his eyes off his father—they were clouded and strained. He was a trebuchet straining to release his tension.
“Don’t do this,” I whispered. “Don’t let them ruin what we have.”
We were damned to our fates, brought together by a ridiculous vendetta. Yet...something right had come out of something so wrong. We’d somehow found the one person we were meant to find.
I can’t go.
“You don’t understand, Nila. It’s not that easy.” Jethro looked at me, running his newly inked finger along the inside of my wrist. “Go, before it’s too late.”
Memories of the way he’d thrust inside me last night filled my mind. I’d meant what I said—I felt him—not just inside me, but what he hid inside him.
It was more than truth.
It had been gospel in its legitimacy.
“Jethro...it’s too late already. I’m meant to stay. With you.”
“She’s right, Kite. Tell the police to leave. Find a way,” Jasmine said.
I looked at Jethro’s sister in her navy wool dress and white pashmina in her lap. Her face was pinched and full of concern. What did she know? Why was she fighting on my side?
Cut slammed his fist onto the table with a resounding thump. “Get your hands off my son and get the fuck out!”
Jethro's face darkened. His gaze sent a brutally painful message.
Leave...at least one of us will be free.
My body wound tighter and tighter.
Tears clogged my throat. “I can’t. I won’t.”
I won’t be free without you.
Cut suddenly barked, “Daniel, seeing as Ms. Weaver refuses to leave, escort her off the premises.”
Daniel chuckled, his eyes glittering as he moved quickly around the table. “With pleasure, Pop.”
“Stop! All of you!” Jasmine shouted, but it didn’t do any good.
In a flash, Daniel grabbed my elbow, hauling me away from Jethro, from our bond, from the only existence I ever wanted.
“No!”
Daniel’s voice licked into my ear. “Fight me and I’ll do something un-fucking-forgivable. Do you want me to do that?”
I tried to stomp on his foot. “You’re a bastard.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
Jethro lunged, grabbing me and punching Daniel in the jaw. “Get your fucking hands off her.” Whipping me behind his body, he glowered at Cut. “I’ll get rid of her.”
Cut breathed hard. “Good. Then I can deal with you.”
Jethro jolted, every inch tight and breaking.
Without a word, he dragged me toward the exit. He trembled as if he’d shatter at any moment, buckling under the weight.
I squirmed, fighting my aching body. “Let me go! I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re leaving. If it’s the last thing I do, at least I can keep you safe.”
I struggled harder. “Safe? I don’t want to be safe. I want to be with you.”
“Quiet,” he choked, his face ashen. “It’s better this way.”
“You’re choosing them over me!” I tried to punch him. “Stand up to them. Leave with me. Don’t stay here, Jethro.”
He clenched his jaw and didn’t reply.
He wasn’t strong enough to fight for what we had.
He’s choosing his family over me.
I rolled my arm, twisting out of his hold. Scurrying from his hands, I turned to face Cut. “I don’t know what power you hold over him, but it isn’t enough. He’s mine, not yours.”
“Nila—don’t!” Jethro grabbed me, dragging me backward. “You don’t know what you’re doing. For fuck’s sake, don’t make this worse than it already is.”
Cut grinned broadly. “Congratulations, Nila. You’ve successfully just changed the future.” His eyes fell frigid and evil on Jethro. “I thought there was hope. But you were just too fucking weak.”
The men shifted in their seats. Cut never moved. “Get rid of the girl, Jet. You and I have something we need to discuss.”
Life seemed to siphon from Jethro’s limbs, growing colder by the second.
“No!” Jasmine screeched, rolling forward. “You can’t. You promised!” Tears slid from her eyes, looking at her brother. “Stop this, Kite. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for making you change, for causing—” She stopped, unable to speak through her sobs.
The worst horror I’d ever felt slithered through my blood.
I’m hollow. I’m hurting. What the hell is happening?
Something darker was at work. This wasn’t about me anymore. This was about Jethro. His father.
What would they do to him the moment I left?
I wouldn’t leave him behind.
Linking my fingers with his, I pulled. “Jethro, come with me.”
But he just stood there, rooted to the spot. His eyes wild, lips parted.
I hovered...waiting. Waiting for one tiny sign that he was still alive beneath whatever fear had struck him mute.
Bonnie sidled up to me, bringing the sickening scent of rosewater and biscuits. “Goodbye, Ms. Weaver. You’ve earned your freedom today at the cost of another.” Leaning closer, she whispered, “You’re free, but this is far from over, girl. Mark my words; you’ll pay for what your family has done.”
I stood taller, ready to fight even if Jethro wouldn’t. “Stop it, I’m stay—”
Jethro suddenly yelled, “Go! Just fucking go.”
The room froze, all eyes pinned on him.
He pointed at the door, shattering my heart into dust. “Leave.”
His eyes screamed the truth.
If you love me at all, you’ll go.
I need you to go.
“You can’t ask me to do this,” I said, wiping away a fallen tear.
“I can and I will.” Striding forward, he grabbed my face and kissed me in front of everyone. His hands shook, his lips trembled.
He broke me completely.
“Please, Nila. Do this for me. Let me make this right.”
Pushing me gently to the door, he commanded, “Go and don’t look back.”
My world crumbled.
My legs didn’t want to move.
My heart didn’t want to beat.
His eyes begged me to obey.
Please...go.
Stumbling, I did the impossible.
I didn’t look at Jasmine.
I didn’t look at Jethro.
I kept moving.
I would honour him.
I would obey him.
Even though every inch of me bled.
Even though every part of me was dead.
I would go home.
I would find a way to fix this.
It wasn’t over.
Two seconds later...
...
I was gone.