Second Debt (Indebted #3)(72)

Cut breathed hard. “Good. Then I can deal with you.”

Jethro jolted, every inch tight and breaking.

Without a word, he dragged me toward the exit. He trembled as if he’d shatter at any moment, buckling under the weight.

I squirmed, fighting my aching body. “Let me go! I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’re leaving. If it’s the last thing I do, at least I can keep you safe.”

I struggled harder. “Safe? I don’t want to be safe. I want to be with you.”

“Quiet,” he choked, his face ashen. “It’s better this way.”

“You’re choosing them over me!” I tried to punch him. “Stand up to them. Leave with me. Don’t stay here, Jethro.”

He clenched his jaw and didn’t reply.

He wasn’t strong enough to fight for what we had.

He’s choosing his family over me.

I rolled my arm, twisting out of his hold. Scurrying from his hands, I turned to face Cut. “I don’t know what power you hold over him, but it isn’t enough. He’s mine, not yours.”

“Nila—don’t!” Jethro grabbed me, dragging me backward. “You don’t know what you’re doing. For f*ck’s sake, don’t make this worse than it already is.”

Cut grinned broadly. “Congratulations, Nila. You’ve successfully just changed the future.” His eyes fell frigid and evil on Jethro. “I thought there was hope. But you were just too f*cking weak.”

The men shifted in their seats. Cut never moved. “Get rid of the girl, Jet. You and I have something we need to discuss.”

Life seemed to siphon from Jethro’s limbs, growing colder by the second.

“No!” Jasmine screeched, rolling forward. “You can’t. You promised!” Tears slid from her eyes, looking at her brother. “Stop this, Kite. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for making you change, for causing—” She stopped, unable to speak through her sobs.

The worst horror I’d ever felt slithered through my blood.

I’m hollow. I’m hurting. What the hell is happening?

Something darker was at work. This wasn’t about me anymore. This was about Jethro. His father.

What would they do to him the moment I left?

I wouldn’t leave him behind.

Linking my fingers with his, I pulled. “Jethro, come with me.”

But he just stood there, rooted to the spot. His eyes wild, lips parted.

I hovered…waiting. Waiting for one tiny sign that he was still alive beneath whatever fear had struck him mute.

Bonnie sidled up to me, bringing the sickening scent of rosewater and biscuits. “Goodbye, Ms. Weaver. You’ve earned your freedom today at the cost of another.” Leaning closer, she whispered, “You’re free, but this is far from over, girl. Mark my words; you’ll pay for what your family has done.”

I stood taller, ready to fight even if Jethro wouldn’t. “Stop it, I’m stay—”

Jethro suddenly yelled, “Go! Just f*cking go.”

The room froze, all eyes pinned on him.

He pointed at the door, shattering my heart into dust. “Leave.”

His eyes screamed the truth.

If you love me at all, you’ll go.

I need you to go.

“You can’t ask me to do this,” I said, wiping away a fallen tear.

“I can and I will.” Striding forward, he grabbed my face and kissed me in front of everyone. His hands shook, his lips trembled.

He broke me completely.

“Please, Nila. Do this for me. Let me make this right.”

Pushing me gently to the door, he commanded, “Go and don’t look back.”

My world crumbled.

My legs didn’t want to move.

My heart didn’t want to beat.

His eyes begged me to obey.

Please…go.

Stumbling, I did the impossible.

I didn’t look at Jasmine.

I didn’t look at Jethro.

I kept moving.

I would honour him.

I would obey him.

Even though every inch of me bled.

Even though every part of me was dead.

I would go home.

I would find a way to fix this.

It wasn’t over.

Two seconds later…

…

I was gone.