Nila #2
Cut cupped my face, holding me firm. “Wrong. People can tell. Liars are spotted easily in airports. And besides, we’ll have an extra arsenal that will prove our tale isn’t false.”
I ripped out of his hold, gasping at more pain. “What’s that?”
Cut inspected inside the bucket, lifting out the plaster strips to rest in a plastic tray. “We’ll have x-rays stating your accident, evidence of the fracture, and time and date.”
My eyes widened. “How?” I scoffed at the dirty cave. “You’re telling me you have a state of the art x-ray machine down here, too?” A half-crazed, half-diabolical laugh escaped me. “Not only a diamond smuggler but doctor, biker president, and doting father as well. Is there anything you can’t do?”
Cut narrowed his eyes. “Careful, Nila. Just because you’re in pain, it doesn’t mean I can’t discipline you.
I demand respect at all times. You’d do well to remember that while we travel home together.
When you go through security, I’ll be with you.
When you board and land, I'll be beside you. You won’t be free and you’d be wise to hold your tongue.
” He pointed a finger at Jethro. “Otherwise, he doesn’t live like I promised.
Obey me, and he survives. Pull something stupid and he dies. ” He shrugged. “Stupidly simple.”
Stupidly simple?
How about I kill you on the plane?
That would be stupid as I’d end up in jail for the rest of my life. But so simple because Cut would no longer be breathing.
I laughed sarcastically. “Sounds as if you’ve thought of everything.”
His forehead furrowed, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he ignored me in favour of inserting the diamond packets and layering soft padding over the compartments. Even if airport security shone a light or poked a stick in my cast, they wouldn’t find the stones.
Cut held up the tampered cast. “Now you can place your arm inside.”
My heart raced, but I did as I was told, breathing a sigh of relief as the gentle cushioning helped soothe some of the pain.
Cut grinned. “See, I told you I’d make it right.”
My voice transformed into scissors, cutting him into pieces. “Just because you’re tending to me now doesn’t mean I forgive you for before.”
Jethro groaned, dragging my attention to him. His beautiful golden eyes were dull and anger-filled. Love linked us together, forged stronger despite such adversity.
He’d proposed to me.
I’d say yes to him.
Yet, horribly, time was running out.
Once Cut had immobilized my injury, I had no doubt we wouldn’t be in Africa much longer. He would want to get home. He would want to finish whatever else he’d planned.
Will he carry out the Final Debt before he partakes in the Third?
I shuddered. How wrong was it that I hoped he would kill me instead of rape me?
I should value my life over anything my body was subjected to.
But having Cut inside me wouldn’t just be physical; it would be mental and spiritual, too.
It would mess me up completely knowing he’d been with my mother and killed her. Then done the same with me.
I’ll kill him before that happens.
The memory of stabbing Daniel in the heart granted me a much-needed boost. I’d been terrified of him. Yet, I’d won. I could do the same with Cut.
Cut pressed down on my arm, making me cry out with pain. I flinched, trying to pull away. “Stop!”
His strong fingers ceased tormenting me. “Just making sure you’re wedged comfortably.”
“Bastard.” The curse fell beneath my breath.
If Cut heard me, he didn’t retaliate.
Letting me go, he layered another lot of padding on top of my arm, followed by the gauze. He wrapped it around and around, binding my arm into its new prison. Once it was secure, he placed surgical gloves on his fingers, and pulled out a strip of plaster from the drying tray.
“Don’t move.”
I didn’t respond as he industriously wrapped warm, wet plaster around my broken limb. The chemical reaction offered hot comfort to the throbbing ache, and I relaxed a little as the painkillers worked their magic.
It didn’t take long. In the past, the doctors would wrap three or four layers of plaster around my cast, ensuring no way could I break or damage myself further. However, Cut only wrapped two layers, finishing off the top with a gauze sleeve, smoothing the plaster with wet fingers.
“There. Don’t twist or move your arm for sixty minutes while it hardens.”
I wanted to laugh. He knew how to apply basic medical help. But his bedside manner was atrocious. No doctor had ever caused his patient’s injury in the first place.
Sitting upright after leaning forward for Cut to work on my cast, I held it away from me to dry but wanted to hug it close. For some reason, a hug—even from me—helped the pain fade.
My eyes soared to Jethro. His face was red and furious; his eyes glassy with sorrow.
I’m fine.
You’re not.
I’ll live.
You better.
I smiled at the last silent message. I would live because I deserved to. Jethro, too. We would find each other again—even with imminent separation about to tear us apart.
Washing his hands in a fresh bucket of water, Cut smiled at his handiwork. “All done.” His eyes glinted. “How does it feel to be a millionaire with so many diamonds against your skin?”
I tapped the collar condescendingly. “Like I’ve felt ever since Jethro put the Weaver Wailer on me.”
I looked at Jethro shooting an apology. I didn’t mean that in a bad way.
He squeezed his eyes, flinching against the memories of our fucked-up beginning.
Cut nodded. “That’s a fair comment. You’ve worn more diamonds than most Hawks in their lifetimes.
” He cocked his head at Jethro. “Did you notice Kite’s lapel pin?
That two carat diamond was handed down for generations.
I gave it to him on his sixteenth birthday when he assured me he had his condition under tight control.
I wanted nothing more than to believe him.
” His voice softened. “I know you can’t comprehend it, but I do love my son, Nila. More than you’ll know.”
I snorted. “Did you love Kes when you shot him? Or Daniel when you let him grow up believing he was an unwanted mistake?”
Cut froze. “What do you know about that?”
Unwittingly, I handed weight to my previous lie. “I told you. We shared the night together. He shared a little of his past. He opened up to me because I gave him what he needed.”
Jethro didn’t move on the floor.
For the first time, Cut paused. His eyes narrowed as his brain mulled over my answer. He looked unsure...contemplating it might be the truth, after all.
I doubted he would ever find Daniel’s remains. I might get away with his murder, all thanks to a hunting party of lionesses.
I never knew nature can be such a competent alias.
“Regardless, when Daniel is found, I’ll learn the truth and shall decide on your punishment.” Cut dried his hands and ran both through his white hair. “Now the Fourth Debt has been paid, it’s time for us to depart.”
Striding across the cave, he squatted by Jethro and swatted his son’s dirty cheek.
“Make yourself at home. I’ll give the staff instructions to release you once we’ve been at Hawksridge for a few days and there’s no way for you to interfere.
” Standing, he smiled at me. “All you have to do, Nila, is get through security with my diamonds still in your possession and your lover will remain alive. That’s not too much to ask, is it? ”
I slid off the chair, wobbling a little with vertigo and residual pain.
Moving toward Jethro, I ached to hug him, kiss him, tell him I loved him and always would. But Cut stopped me half way, planting a stern hand on my breastbone. “No. Say your goodbyes from a distance.”
I shook my head. “Why can’t I touch him? What harm can it do?”
Cut clenched his jaw. “More harm than I’d like.”
“You know I have no weapons to give him.” My temper surged. “You know I have a broken arm and am suffering a serious case of shock. Let me say a proper goodbye. You owe me that.”
Cut breathed hard, preventing my path. But slowly, he nodded. “Fine.”
The minute he’d cleared my trajectory, I rushed forward and landed on my knees. My good hand tugged at the awful duct tape around Jethro’s mouth. “Breathe.” That was all the warning I gave him.
With a quick rip, I tore the stickiness away from his five o’ clock shadow and yanked out the disgusting gag.
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.”
Silent tears dripped from my eyelashes as Cut shoved me out the door and separated me from my soul-mate.
The door closed behind me.
Tears fell faster.
Pain billowed thicker.
And all I could do was whisper, “Goodbye.”