Fourth Debt (Indebted #5)(6)

Jasmine looked at me. Something didn’t seem right. Her cheekbones sliced through pale skin, her normally sleek bob messy and tangled. But she had an edge about her speaking of unpredictability and almost…deranged mania.

He’s dead.

He’s dead.

Of course, she wouldn’t cope.

“Get out!” Daniel took a step back, hauling me with him. Our legs entwined, but I didn’t fight. I had the power to kill him, but we had to be alone. That was the only way.

Cut tucked the key into his pocket. “Buzzard, listen—”

“No, listen to me.” Jasmine shoved the rims of her wheelchair, barging past Cut and coasting at supersonic speed toward us. “Let her f*cking go, Dan!”

Daniel flinched.

Jasmine cursing was wrong—as if she’d never sworn in her life. She looked too perfect to stoop so low. However, the unhinged glint in her bronze eyes and whitewashed face held no hint of weakness from watching two brothers die.

She looked livid rather than heartbroken.

What is going on?

Daniel’s gaze swooped to Cut. “What the fu—”

“Do as she says,” Cut ordered.

I swallowed as Daniel tweaked my nipple. “Like shit I will. She’s mine. We’ve all decided.”

“Listen to your father, child.” Bonnie appeared, entering the room and resting two hands on her walking stick.

Shit, they’re all here.

My hackles rose.

In my melancholy and newly budding fury, I’d forgotten about Bonnie. I’d counted only two victims. Two men who would suffocate in dirty graves, eaten by worms.

I have three targets.

Three lives to steal to avenge so many others.

Daniel stepped back, dragging me with him. “No chance. Get out. The lot of you. The door was locked for a motherf*cking reason.”

Bonnie growled, sounding like a grizzly bear about to teach her cubs a lesson. “Drop her. Don’t make me say it again.”

Drop her? Like I’m some dog’s chew toy.

The bubbling darkness inside wanted to strike and rip out her voice box. I wanted her bleeding at my feet.

Just like him.

Jethro’s blood stained this house.

Hers will, too.

“This is bullshit,” Daniel spat, shoving me away from him. The moment I was free, Jasmine rolled toward me and captured my wrist with cold fingers.

My stomach churned.

I didn’t like this turn of events. I didn’t want any more confusion. Daniel was black and white. I was black and white. Death or life—those were my two choices. This scuffle was a grey area and if I let myself lose my cut-throat mentality, I wouldn’t be able to continue.

He’s dead.

He’s dead.

He’s not coming back.

The grief threatened to wash me away again.

“She’s mine. I’m the oldest.” Jasmine spun her chair, dragging me to face Bonnie and Cut. “You agreed. Tell him.”

I looked over my shoulder at Daniel, hating the fact he was behind me. I didn’t want to take my eyes off the little creep.

You’re a dead man walking, Buzzard.

My mind raced with images of my pilfered dirk sliding between his ribs. Of slashing his throat. Of cutting off his balls.

“You have a valid argument, Jasmine.” Bonnie nodded. “And we’ll discuss it further when the mess of today is over with.”

I swallowed a gasp. The mess of today? She talked about the murder of her two grandsons as if it was an inconvenient mishap.

Who are these people?

“No, I want to hear that she’s mine. Right now.” Her fingernails dug into my flesh, breaking my skin, imprinting crescent moon cuts.

I didn’t flinch.

Jaz’s eyes met mine. They were just as lifeless and cold as me. A switch had triggered in both of us, leaving us lost in this new world.

“You belong to me, Nila Weaver. You’re the reason my two brothers are dead.” Yanking me down to her height, she hissed, “You’ll pay. I’ll make you pay so damn much for what you’ve done.”

What?

A cloud worse than numbness consumed me.

She’d lost everything back in the parlour. She’d even lost herself.

Who was this woman? Sure, Jasmine had never been ultra-friendly with me. In fact, she’d asked me to die the last time I’d visited her to save her brother. But I’d never seen someone so remote and vastly changed.

Then again, what did I expect? Why would she soften toward me now that the worst had happened?

Cut jumped in. “We’ll discuss it at greater length. But I do agree; Daniel doesn’t get full rights to her. You are my daughter and the successor matriarch. You know our empire inside out, whereas Daniel is yet to be trained. It’s only fair that you have joint ownership of the final debts, and the pain she is required to pay.”

I bit my lip, unable to tear my eyes away from Jasmine.

What did this mean? Would I have to dig four graves instead of three? I never wanted to kill Jasmine. But I would if she gave me a reason.

It was me versus them now. I wouldn’t back down again.

I’m done being tortured.

It was their turn.

Daniel stomped forward, throwing his hands up in a bad boy tantrum. “But, you f*cking promised.”