Fourth Debt (Indebted #5)(10)

I shifted to my knees, wielding the knife. After my shower last night, I’d dressed in black leggings and an oversized cream cardigan. But no matter how many layers or quilts I snuggled beneath, I couldn’t eradicate the chill of loneliness.

My ears still echoed with gunshots.

My mind replayed the moment when Kes collapsed with blood blooming on his shirt, and Jethro dove to protect his sister.

The sister who didn’t deserve to be saved.

My jaw clenched.

Jasmine.

She was in equal running for my dislike with Daniel. In fact, she was worse. Always coming across as gentle and removed from her mad family—when, in actual fact, she’d been the instigator and in cahoots with Bonnie.

Flaw appeared.

Peering around the door, he wore his typical outfit of jeans, black t-shirt, and Black Diamonds jacket. His gaze drifted to the knife in my hands, raising an eyebrow. “If you don’t want that confiscated, I’d hide it if I were you.”

My hands shook. “Why are you here?” I didn’t see any trays of food. A social call was out of the question. Shuffling higher, I narrowed my eyes. “Why do you care if they take my knife or not?”

He ran a hand through his hair, opening the door wider. “Don’t like this situation any more than you do.”

His voice sounded loud and obtrusive, spilling secrets. It was the first time I’d spoken to someone since I’d been locked up; I’d forgotten how to do it.

My heart ached. “You miss them, too?”

Jethro…

Kes…

The only ones not tainted by Hawk insanity.

He nodded. “Kes has been a close friend for years. Didn’t have much to do with Jethro until recently, but he proved he was a good bloke. Almost as good as his brother.”

His comment hurt irrationally. To me, Jethro was better than anyone. Then again, my heart was biased. Kestrel was a genuine, caring friend who’d sacrificed far too much for people who didn’t deserve him.

Myself included.

I hugged my knife, stroking it with the thought of spilling Cut’s blood. “He was the best. His death won’t go unpunished.”

Flaw came closer, his boots silent on the emerald W carpet. “Words like that can get you into trouble.”

I ran my thumb along the sharp blade. “I don’t care. All I want is for them to die.”

He cleared his throat. “Can’t say I don’t understand or feel your pain, but it’s best to stop saying such things.” Inching closer to the bed, he held out his hand. “I was told to bring you.”

My head snapped up. “What?”

The last time someone had come to take me somewhere, the maid made me dress in breaches and cheesecloth, then delivered me to the worst poker night in history.

I tightened my grip on the dirk. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He scowled. “Don’t make this harder than it already is.”

I moved away from him, inching to the other side of the bed. “Tell me why.”

“Why?”

My heart cantered faster—almost as fast as Moth, the day Kes took me for a ride. I should’ve been nice to him. Kinder. Less suspicious.

I bared my teeth. “If this is to re-do the Third Debt, I’m not going. I’ll kill you first.” My threat wasn’t empty. I boiled with the urge to do it—to prove I was done being weak.

Flaw jammed his hands in his back pockets. The action made him appear personable and less threatening.

I didn’t buy it.

He’d been there that first night when Jethro stole me from Milan. He’d witnessed what they’d done to me in the months I’d been there.

“I haven’t been told anything. I guess you’ll just have to come and find out for yourself.”

“Tell Cut he can come for me himself.”

My eyes darted around the room. I had weapons here: needles, scissors, scalpels for sculpturing lace. If I could entice Cut into my nest, I could ambush him with tools I knew how to wield.

He wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Look—” He shrugged. “I was told not to tell you, but f*ck it. They’re in the library. And they have guests. I doubt they’ll do anything of a…family matter…in front of an audience.”

No, but they keep such blatant evidence.

Their audacity at keeping mementos of my ancestors’ pain infuriated me. Once I’d killed them, I’d gather up every video and document and burn them. I’d demolish every evidence and set my ancestors’ souls free.

Why not turn it into the police?

I shuddered. The thought of men in suits—men who the Hawks might’ve paid to turn a blind eye for so long—watching video-tapes of my mother’s agony almost made me black out with a vicious vertigo wave.

Gripping the sheets, I let the dizziness subside before blinking my vision clear.

Flaw hadn’t moved; a relaxed employee who knew I’d have to obey eventually.

“Why should I trust you? What’s to stop you from lying?” He might’ve been Kes’s friend, but he was still a Black Diamond. And they weren’t to be trusted.

“Because I might be the last remaining friend you have in this godforsaken place.” His face tightened for a moment, filling with thoughts he refused to share. “You need more? Fine. I happen to know the guests are lawyers.” Holding out his hand, he said, “Happy? Now, let’s go.”