Facet swallowed. “Yes.”
“How?” I blurted, causing every man to look in my direction. “How do they have a warrant?”
Facet’s mouth fell open, looking to Cut to see if he should reply.
Cut glowered at me as if I’d brought the apocalypse to his door.
No one spoke.
What did my father do?
How did V find a way to free me?
My heart winged thinking of my twin. He’d promised he would never give up. I should’ve trusted him.
I should be more grateful.
I wanted to kill him.
He’d ruined it. He’d taken everything I’d worked for and torn it away from me.
I’m alive and going home.
I’m alive and going home.
The words repeated in my head.
I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for Jethro.
I’m in love with him.
He’d infected me, and no matter how much distance was between us, that would never change. I was his. And he was mine.
Jethro’s eyes locked with me—the golden depths burned with despair and scorching agony. “I warned him. I tried to stop…”
He showed too much.
He felt too much.
My diamond collar grew heavier, colder.
You said you’d be the last.
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.