Nila
“WHY DID WE come here?”
Jethro grabbed my hand, leading me from the Ferrari and through the car park at Diamond Alley. “You’ll see.”
Four weeks had gone by.
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 a gentle 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.
The last time he’d shown me the original black diamond, he’d hinted at what he was. He used the stone as an example of his condition—absorbing light and emotions rather than refracting and preventing them from entering. The analogy was perfect for him.
Moving closer, I placed my hand on his forearm. “I should’ve guessed that day. I should’ve known what you were and convinced you to run away with me.”
He chuckled. “Running was never an option, Needle. But you’re right. Those drugs really fucked me up. I’d hoped you’d guess and slap me out of it.”
I smiled. “I seem to remember I did in the end. I marched into your bedroom and forced you to listen.”
“You’ll never know how much your strength helped. How your tenacity to make me feel broke my unhappiness.” His lips touched mine as his hands pulled out the black pouch.
“This is for you.” He pushed the soft material into my grip.
I jerked backward. “What? No. There is no way I can accept that!”
He grinned. “Yes, you can. By accepting me, you’ve accepted it already. It’s yours and I want you to open it.”
“Jethro...”
He placed the ribbon in my fingers. “Open it.”
My hands shook as I opened the velvet. My eyes narrowed. I expected one large stone tenderly nestled in padding. However, something didn’t look right. Inside rested more parcels wrapped in delicate tissue paper.
Jethro crossed his arms, smugness decorating his face. “Go on. Keep going. You haven’t opened it all yet.”
Placing the pouch on the table, I plucked out the first packet. My fingers trembled harder as I pushed aside crepe paper. As soon as I unwrapped it, I almost dropped it. “Oh, my God.”
Jethro didn’t say a word as I pulled out the most stunning bracelet I’d ever seen. “This...it’s...you made this from the single black diamond?”
The one stone that’d started it all. The priceless gem that’d raised his family to riches and tainted glory so long ago.
Jethro nodded. “Yes.” Taking the dangling bracelet, his fingers traced the filigree pattern where gold licked around clusters of black diamonds, steadily growing bigger to one large rock in the centre of the design. “Give me your wrist.”
Speechless, I held out my arm.
Jethro very gently secured the jewellery. Of course, it was the perfect size. “You had this made for me?”
“How could I not?” He kissed me again. My heart transformed into feathers wanting to take flight. “You’re the reason I’m alive and happy. I want to give you everything, Nila.”
Running his fingers over the uniquely shaped diamonds, he added, “This cut is called a kite. It’s rare—not many jewellers remember the art.” He smirked. “I thought it was rather fitting to use in the design.”
I couldn’t stop staring. “More than fitting. Now I have a Kite in my heart and kites on my wrist.”
“For the rest of your life, I hope.”
Not letting me answer, he looked at the pouch again. “There’s more. Open the next one.”
I couldn’t pull my eyes away from the one he’d already given me. It was too much. Far, far more than I ever expected. The blackness of the stones sucked the light, glowing like an otherworldly charm.
Unable to speak, I pulled free the next crepe paper present. Tears glossed my eyes as I revealed what rested inside. “Jethro—”
Before I could kiss him or pounce in gratefulness, he dropped to one knee before me.
Stealing the black diamond ring, he grabbed my shaking left hand and smiled tenderly.
“I’ve asked you to marry me twice. And each time you’ve said yes.
As far as I’m concerned, you became a Hawk the moment you answered my first text.
But I couldn’t steal you away for the rest of your life without doing this properly. ”
I gasped as his voice broke. “Nila ‘Threads’ Weaver.
Will you do me the absolute honour of accepting this ring, this man, this future?
I offer you everything that I am and will become.
I promise to adore you with every heartbeat and will forever protect you like I should've done from the day we met. Will you agree to be my best-friend and partner for the rest of our lives and continue to be so selfless with your love and kindness?”
He cleared his throat, forcing himself to continue. “In return, I promise to always love you, always protect you. I’ll be the anchor you need and will never do anything to hurt you again.”
I dropped to my knees before him. Knee to knee. Heart to heart. “I do. I accept and I promise you the same thing. I will never lie to you, hurt you, or keep things from you. I will always be there when you need me most.”
His lips crashed against mine. My fingers dove into his salt and pepper hair. Everything I’d been through was in order to deserve this. Him. The greatest trophy, gift, and reward I could ever have dreamed of.
With his lips on mine, Jethro slipped the engagement ring onto my finger. Snug, perfect, never to be removed just like my collar.