Final Debt (Indebted #6)(39)

I trembled. “You want to continue thinking of yourself as a gentleman? A maverick making sacrifices for a good cause? Go ahead. Fulfil that fantasy by letting Jethro and me go. Then I’ll answer any question you want. Give me your word we’re free to go and I’ll tell you everything.”

Not everything.

Because the moment he knew about Daniel, there would be no guillotine or Final Debt. He would wring my neck within seconds. He would avenge his youngest because he hadn’t been the one to decree it should be over.

Pushing off from the armrests, he resumed his pacing. “Let’s begin with the elephant in the room, shall we?” He pointed at Jethro. “How the f*ck is he alive and here?”

My heart cracked, taking in Jethro’s beaten form. He slouched unconscious in an identical chair. However, the ropes holding him in place were triple mine. Twine snakes licked around his thighs and torso, gluing him to the chair. His wrists hung lifeless, trapped behind him while his ankles were locked against the chair legs with yet more rope.

There would be no escape. Not even if he was a magician with every spell in the world.

My mind raced with ideas on how to get free, but so far…I had nothing. Blank. Zero. Zilch.

“I shot him. He died on the rug at my feet. He’s meant to be dead.” Cut’s face turned red.

I flinched but held his gaze. “Just let us go. No one else has to get hurt.”

His eyes narrowed. “No one else? You say it like someone just got hurt, Nila. Was it Daniel?” He soared forward, his fingers biting into my cheeks. “Where is he?”

Survival kicked in. I’d never been a good liar.

“No idea.” Keeping my chin high, I aimed to be honest but obtuse. Forthcoming but mysterious. “Why would I know where your despicable son is?”

“It seemed you knew where my oldest was, even while living under my roof.” His face etched with fury. “You ate my food, slept in my rooms, and lied to my f*cking face.”

“No, I didn’t.”

Cut laughed coldly. “Don’t be a bitch. You knew. All along, you knew.”

“I didn’t!” I swallowed back my shout. “I thought he was dead. Same as you.” Granting him a smidgen of truth, I added, “I only found out a few hours before you put me on the plane.”

Cut glared. “How? How did you find out?”

What could it hurt? Jethro was here. Whatever plans he had, they wouldn’t come to fruition. “He told me himself. He came to get me.”

Cut’s mouth fell open, a surprised cough falling free. “You’re telling me he willingly came back to Hawksridge, had you to himself for however long, and then left you again?” His eyes glowed. “Wait, that’s where you were when Daniel found you outside your quarters.”

I didn’t respond. He already guessed with conviction. “What a f*cking idiot.” He shook his head. More shadows darkened his soul.

Shoving aside the new knowledge, he said, “Speaking of Daniel. Let’s get back to what’s important. Jethro is alive. I’ll need more information on that. But for now, Daniel is more pressing.” His eyebrows knitted together. “You were the last one with him. What did you do?”

“Me?” I scoffed. “How could I win against Daniel? I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Did he rape you?”

Blood flowing over my needle.

Oxygen leaving a corpse.

Lions chewing on flesh.

“Yes.”

He tried.

“You’re lying.”

“No.”

He paced around me, standing behind my chair so I couldn’t study his face. “I find that very hard to believe.”

I sat taller in my imprisoning seat. “Why?”

Cut’s voice licked over my nape, stroking my dust-blanketed hair. “You’re bruised and bleeding, but I don’t know if that’s from the car crash or my son. You’re hurting but not broken. Not exactly encouraging if Daniel had his fill of you.” He sneered, “I think you’re lying because you’re still alive.” His fingertips glided down my throat to my breasts. “You can walk. Talk. Answer back. I know my son, Ms. Weaver, and if he’d taken you the way he planned, you wouldn’t be sitting there with rebellion in your eyes.” His hands fisted my hair, jerking painfully. “You’d be in f*cking pieces.”

Shit.

Tears pricked as he moved to stand in front of me again. His hands on his hips, he towered like judge, jury, and executioner. “You’re lying to me.”

“No.” I fought my shivers. “I’m not.”

Cut bowed, his face to my face. “Tell me the truth. Now.”

“I am telling you the truth.”

His eyes blackened. “One last time. One more chance and then you’ll get a painful reward for each lie.”

My heart flung itself against ribs. “I’m telling you the truth. Daniel took what he wanted.”

“Implausible.” His hand curled. “There is no proof and my son is suddenly missing.”

Lie better.

Fight smarter.

Taking a deep breath, I snapped, “I didn’t say he took what he originally wanted.”

Cut froze. “What do you mean?”

Please, let him believe my lies.