Second Debt (Indebted #3)(71)

Because if I didn’t fight, this was over. Here and now.

“Let me talk to them—”

Jethro spun to face me, his temper blazing. “You want to talk to them? To tell them what, exactly? The truth?”

“Enough!” Cut yelled. Looking at Bonnie, he frowned. “You want her gone?”

Bonnie nodded, her red lipstick smeared on thin lips. “Immediately.”

Cut sighed, his leather jacket creaking as anger wisped off him. “Fine,” he said sharply. “Nila Weaver, get the f*ck out of my house.”

My heart crumbled.

Jethro crossed his arms, still shielding me. His ice slid back into place turning him impenetrable. “I’m the firstborn, and I say she isn’t f*cking leaving.”

Cut moved around the table, his fists clenching. “You dare do this here, son? You know you’ll lose—”

“Wait!”

A feminine voice whipped through the aching tension in the room.

“Jaz? What the hell are you doing in here?” Jethro asked, his mask slipping as he looked at his wheelchair bound sister.

She rolled into the dining room with the aid of a blonde-curled maid. Jasmine’s bronze eyes met Cut’s. “She can’t go, Father. It’s not finished.”

Cut breathed hard through his nose, his temper throbbing beneath his frayed self-control. “Don’t speak of things you don’t understand. Jethro didn’t control the situation. This is his mess. He’s failed.” Cut looked piercingly at Jethro, sending goosebumps and terror down my spine. “It’s over. He’s done.”

The way he spoke…it sounded like a death sentence.

Jethro gasped, true fear coating his face. “It’s not over—”

“Shut. Up.” Cut sliced the air with his arm, silencing him. Looking at me, he snapped, “Leave, Ms. Weaver. Your time is up. I won’t tell you again.”

Jasmine’s gaze shot to Jethro’s. “Don’t let her go, Kite.”

Kite.

My soul splintered.

Bonnie shuffled forward. “I see what you’re doing, girl. Your family have been clever with their tricks and treachery, but I won’t let you spin any more of your filth.” Her wrinkly skin furrowed deeper with rage. “Get. Out. Now.”

“Was this always your plan, Father?” Jethro looked at Cut, panic and rage twisted his face. “You set me up to fail?” The depth of confusion and agony in his voice broke my heart.

My eyes flared wide. I didn’t understand.

“Jethro…he doesn’t matter. None of them do.” I squeezed his arm. “Believe in us. Believe in me.”

“Hush, stupid girl,” Bonnie snapped. “You’re the same as all the rest. Get out.” Pointing at the door, she hissed, “Go!”

The other bikers didn’t do a thing. Just sat and watched.

Jethro never tore his eyes off his father—they were clouded and strained. He was a trebuchet straining to release his tension.

“Don’t do this,” I whispered. “Don’t let them ruin what we have.”

We were damned to our fates, brought together by a ridiculous vendetta. Yet…something right had come out of something so wrong. We’d somehow found the one person we were meant to find.

I can’t go.

“You don’t understand, Nila. It’s not that easy.” Jethro looked at me, running his newly inked finger along the inside of my wrist. “Go, before it’s too late.”

Memories of the way he’d thrust inside me last night filled my mind. I’d meant what I said—I felt him—not just inside me, but what he hid inside him.

It was more than truth.

It had been gospel in its legitimacy.

“Jethro…it’s too late already. I’m meant to stay. With you.”

“She’s right, Kite. Tell the police to leave. Find a way,” Jasmine said.

I looked at Jethro’s sister in her navy wool dress and white pashmina in her lap. Her face was pinched and full of concern. What did she know? Why was she fighting on my side?

Cut slammed his fist onto the table with a resounding thump. “Get your hands off my son and get the f*ck out!”

Jethro's face darkened. His gaze sent a brutally painful message.

Leave…at least one of us will be free.

My body wound tighter and tighter.

Tears clogged my throat. “I can’t. I won’t.”

I won’t be free without you.

Cut suddenly barked, “Daniel, seeing as Ms. Weaver refuses to leave, escort her off the premises.”

Daniel chuckled, his eyes glittering as he moved quickly around the table. “With pleasure, Pop.”

“Stop! All of you!” Jasmine shouted, but it didn’t do any good.

In a flash, Daniel grabbed my elbow, hauling me away from Jethro, from our bond, from the only existence I ever wanted.

“No!”

Daniel’s voice licked into my ear. “Fight me and I’ll do something un-f*cking-forgivable. Do you want me to do that?”

I tried to stomp on his foot. “You’re a bastard.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Jethro lunged, grabbing me and punching Daniel in the jaw. “Get your f*cking hands off her.” Whipping me behind his body, he glowered at Cut. “I’ll get rid of her.”