Fourth Debt (Indebted #5)(70)

“Wrap it up, Dan,” Cut said. “Let’s get on with it.”

Daniel nodded. “Fine.” He tossed the dice from palm to palm. “What should your first trial be, Weaver? Something easy or hard?”

Vaughn fought in Marquise’s hold.

I ignored him. This wasn’t about him. This was about me protecting him. The Hawks already knew I’d accept every task, no matter what it was. It wasn’t a choice, but a necessity. Bearing pain myself was doable, watching my twin go through it…unthinkable.

Rubbing his chin, Daniel murmured, “I think my first roll will be…” Shaking the dice, he released it. The plastic bounced against the thick carpet, coming to a stop on black.

Black…psychological.

I stiffened as an idea lit his face. Leering at Vaughn, he said, “You have two choices, Nila. First, stay where you are and watch your brother suffer two blows to his gut, courtesy of Marquise. Or…”

I stood taller. “Or what?”

“Or…do what my ancestor had to do every night. She had to f*ck her employer.”

My stomach bubbled with disgust. My tongue desiccated with horror. “I—I—no.”

Daniel grabbed his cock. “Gonna f*ck me for the Third Debt. Might as well get used to it, bitch.”

I wanted to throw up.

Vaughn wriggled and groaned in his binds.

Visions of willingly submitting to Daniel in front of my brother caused tears to swell. I couldn’t…could I?

Incredibly, Bonnie came to my rescue. “I’m not watching a rutting. Kiss him, Ms. Weaver. Save the rest for a room without my presence.”

My heart scurried like a terrified rabbit.

Daniel bared his teeth. “Don’t override me. I’ll get her to do whatever the f*ck I want.”

Cut crossed his arms. “Not tonight. You’ll have her. And it’s going to be a far sight better than a quick f*ck on the floor.” Coming toward me, his eyes lit up with secrets. “We’ll be somewhere no one can touch you. And you’ll do whatever we say.”

Vaughn struggled as Cut pressed a fleeting kiss on my mouth. “Now, go kiss my son to avoid your brother being punched, and then we can move on.”

Daniel grumbled, “Fine, kiss me, whore. But not just any kiss; something that will make me believe you mean it.”

V jerked in Marquise’s hold, the groan in his chest a resounding plea for him to take the punishment. Didn’t he see? I couldn’t live with myself if I had a way of sparing him more pain.

A kiss is nothing. A kiss I can do.

A small price to pay for my brother’s wellbeing.

Linking my hands together, I lashed myself tighter than the twine. Holding my chin high, I turned to Daniel.

His eyebrow rose, intrigued and eager. His eyes slowly filled with lust as I crossed the small space and stood on my tiptoes before him. His chin came down, lips parted, but he didn’t cross the final distance.

He waited for me.

He waited to accept a kiss I swore I’d never give him—no matter how much they tried to break me.

Incredulously, I felt as if I cheated on Jethro.

I’m sorry.

Holding my breath, taming my roiling stomach, I pressed my mouth against his. He was warm and tasted slightly salty, but he didn’t force me to deepen or stick his tongue down my throat.

It all hinged on me.

I have to make him believe.

Otherwise, it would’ve been for nothing.

Repulsion worked my gag reflex. I wanted to pull away. But I pressed my mouth harder against his, squeezing my eyes to annul the truth of who I kissed.

I’m stronger than this.

Finding my last remaining strength, I licked Daniel’s bottom lip.

He groaned as I slipped my tongue into his mouth. I wasn’t tentative or hesitant. I’d learned how to kiss thanks to Jethro’s majesty at drawing desire from me.

If Daniel wanted me to make him believe, I’d make him bloody believe.

His chest rose and fell, brushing my nipples, reminding me of what Jethro had done to me. The anger inside him seemed to pause, lulled by whatever magic I held over him.

My throat closed; I ran out of breath.

I reached my limit.

Pulling away, I spat on the rug by his feet. “You believed me. You can’t deny it.”

Breath was hard to catch as I stared triumphantly at his trousers. “There’s evidence that you can’t hide, Buzzard.” I cocked my head at the tented material. “You can’t touch him. I did what you asked.”

The softness of him taking what I gave vanished. Lashing out, he grabbed my hair. He shook me, rage darkening his face. “Just wait till we make you repay the Third Debt, whore. You’ll regret that.”

Vaughn grunted again, but no one paid him any attention.

Bonnie remained quiet, letting her youngest grandson do what he wanted.

Letting me go, Daniel plucked the dice from the floor. Shaking it, he tossed it down again.

Red.

Pain.

I swallowed hard, doing my best not to show fear.

Vaughn didn’t do such a good job. He fought and squirmed, earning a punch to his gut—even after I’d kissed Daniel to prevent it.

“Don’t! I paid the damn requirement!”

Cut clucked his tongue. “Marquise. She’s right. Don’t hurt him unless she refuses.”