“If I don’t sign it—like I’ve been saying since I got here. Then what?”
Marshall flicked a glance at Cut. His jaw worked as their eyes shot messages above my comprehension. Finally, he bowed his head. “Then a certain type of persuasion would be used.”
I laughed loudly. “Persuasion? Torture, you mean. I thought you had integrity to uphold. Didn’t you just say you had evidence that all documents were signed without—as you put it—persuasion?”
Marshall hunched. “Well…eh…in some cases—”
“Sign the bloody paperwork, you ingrate!” Bonnie stood up stiffly, her cane in hand.
“Nila, fucking—” Cut growled.
“Shut up! All of you.” Jaz suddenly wrapped her fingers around mine, pinching the pen into position. Dragging my hand over the paperwork, she muttered, “The things I fucking do.”
“Wait, what are you doing?” I struggled, but found out that she might not have use of her legs, but she had strength in her arms that I couldn’t fight.
“I’m putting an end to this. I’ve wasted too much time dealing with this as it is.” She forced the nib onto the paper.
“No, wait!”
Digging her fingernails into my hand, she directed the pen and printed a rudimentary name.
My name.
Signed and witnessed on the Debt Inheritance amendment.
“What the hell have you done?”
She released me. “I did what I had to.”
My chair screeched backward as I towered over her. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
She wheeled away from the table, wobbling a little on the ramp. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” She stabbed me in the belly with her finger. “You’re the one dragging this out when you know there’s no way out.” Tears gleamed in her eyes. “He’s dead. They’re both dead. The sooner you are too, the better.”
My heart plummeted to the floor. Jethro’s voice and touch and smell and kisses all slammed into me.
He’s dead.
He’s dead.
God, it hurts.
“I wish it were you!” I screamed. “You never deserved him. You should’ve died instead of him. He leapt in front of you to save you and this is what you do to repay him! I hope the devil—”
“Enough!” Cut soared upright, eyes shooting golden sparks. “Jasmine, calm down. Nila, shut up immediately.” He splayed his arms like a messiah seeking peace. “It’s done. It’s unfortunate that this had to happen, but—”
“My brothers’ deaths are a misfortune, father?” Jaz’s cheeks glowed red. “I’ll tell you what’s a misfortune—having to deal with this bullshit!” Her hands latched around chrome wheel rims. “I’m sick of this. I want her gone. Now! I want this finished!”
The lawyers scrambled to their feet. “I think it’s time we departed.” The towers of paperwork quickly disappeared back into their boxes.
The men bowed. “Pleasure being of service once again. We’ll be back in touch once the, eh…once the final part of the inheritance has taken place.”
The final part?
The final part?
That was my final part—the last straw on my willpower.
I cracked. I was a girl, but now I was a monster.
I’ve had enough.
Enough!
Darting around the table, I planted myself in Colin Marshall’s path. His eyes flared. My palm twitched. And I slapped the bastard full on the cheek.
My hand blazed with fire, but I loved it.
I embraced the pain.
I gave myself over to fury.
His mouth popped open. “What on earth? Ms. Weaver!”
Chairs screeched as Hawks leapt to their feet. I ignored them.