Nila

I’M SO LUCKY.

I looked over the balcony. Below me, bright lights and camera flashes immortalized my newest collection. The grey dress I’d made before paying the Third Debt caused a standing ovation among critics and fashionistas alike.

“You did so well, wife.”

I swayed into my husband’s arms. Jethro’s hair caught the lights, making him seem like some fantasy knight come to life. We’d eloped two weeks ago. We’d barely left the bedroom since.

My pussy clenched just thinking about what we would do when we returned home after the show.

Something cold and sticky splashed against my silver ball gown. Time turned to slow motion as I looked down in horror.

Blood.

Gallons upon gallons of blood.

It stained my bodice, train, hands...everything.

The audience below no longer watched the show but looked up at us. At me specifically. “What?” I screeched. “What did I ever do to you?”

Then, I heard the most dreadful sound in the world. The symphony of dying. The excruciating noise of ending life.

“Get up, you filthy fucking whore!”

My eyes wrenched open. My heart lurched into my mouth. Warmth and cocooned-safety was traded for biting fingers and hard floor as Cut wrenched me out of bed and threw me across the room.

“Wh—no!” I landed on my wrist, screaming in agony.

“What the—” Jethro's sleepy voice rang out but was sliced short by a punch to his face.

“You motherfucking backstabbing son of a fucking bitch.” Cut rammed his fist into Jethro’s jaw again, drawing blood, crunching cheekbones. “Get up.” He tore off the sheets, jerking him from his bed.

Jethro groaned, falling into a pile of limbs at his father’s feet.

“No, wait!” I crawled forward, flinching at my wrist.

Daniel appeared, blocking me with his hands on his hips. “Ah, ah, ah, little Weaver. You can no longer interfere with family matters.”

Through the barricade of his legs, I watched Cut kick Jethro repeatedly in the stomach, screaming obscenities, puce with fury. “Did I not give you every fucking chance? Did I not respect you and trust in you as my fucking son!” He kicked him again. “Goddammit, you leave me no choice!”

This can’t be real.

It had to be a dream...a nightmare.

Please, don’t let this be real.

Cut turned his back on Jethro, storming toward me with throbbing anger. “And you! You’re done meddling with my fucking family, girl. You’re through. Both of you!”

Grabbing my hair, he jerked me to my feet.

He strength was insane—no residue of the drugs Jethro had used. No hint that he’d been unnaturally asleep for hours. He was a demon.

I screamed, dangling in his enraged hold. My bare legs showed the faint whip marks from Jethro’s attentions, and his t-shirt I’d slipped on when I went to the bathroom barely covered my knickers. “Let me go!”

“You and him—you’ve fucked me over for the last time.” Cut breathed hard, his face gleaming with sweat. “Did he think I wouldn’t notice? That I would let you get away with this shit!”

I fought his hold, willing tears to hide. “I don’t know what you’re talking about! Stop hurting me. Let me go!”

Daniel cackled. “You know exactly what we’re talking about, bitch.” He marched over to his brother, scooping the bloody body of Jethro into his arms. Jethro moaned, his eyes squeezed and blood rivering from his mouth. He tried to fight Daniel off, but the vicious attack before left him half dead.

“I don’t! Leave him alone.”

“Yes, you fucking do,” Cut snarled. “I just witnessed the so-called video of you paying the Third Debt. Kestrel thought I’d buy his bullshit doctored video?!” His eyes turned deathly cold. “Two of my sons. Both of them betraying me. But it’s the last time. The last fucking time they make a mockery out of me.”

Dragging me from Jethro’s room, he didn’t stop or care that I crawled and stumbled beside him. His fingers noosed in my hair, leaving me no choice but to fumble in agony.

I couldn’t see Jethro, but Daniel’s footfalls vibrated the carpet behind me.

“Please!” I scratched Cut’s hands over and over, but he didn’t flinch. Too amped on fury to feel a thing. “Please, let us go!”

“Oh, I’ll let you go alright. I’ll fucking let you go to Hades.”

Hawksridge Hall covered acres of land with twining halls and cavernous rooms, but it seemed like a postage stamp with how fast we left the bachelor wing and burst into the day parlour with its swan-silk loveseats and ornamental music boxes.

The moment we exploded through the doors, Cut threw me forward. I fell with vertigo and inertia, slamming to the floor. I crawled away as fast as I could. Daniel mimicked his father, tossing Jethro to his knees, kicking him violently in the gut.

Jethro coughed loudly, air refusing to filter into his lungs. He fell to his side, gasping, bleeding.

I scrambled toward him, but Daniel stepped in front of me. “Look behind you, whore.”

I glowered. I wanted heaven to smite him into stone. “Leave him alone!”

He chuckled. “You sure about that?” Leaning over me, he yanked me to my feet, twisting my head to look behind me. “You sure you choose him?”

I fought in his hold. I worked up saliva to spit in his face. But then I set eyes upon my undoing.

The past twenty-four hours, disappeared.

The love I’d found, vanished.

The promises I’d made, disintegrated.

Gone.

Dust.

Ash.

No. No, no, no.

I keened in awful horror.

This can’t be true!

“Threads,” Vaughn mumbled through bleeding lips. His eyes were puffy and half-shut, his body as mangled and bruised as Jethro’s. He sat on the floor between two Black Diamond brothers who I didn’t recognise. His entire demeanour weary and beaten. He was no longer Robin Hood sent to rescue me but a thief about to be killed.

Terror fed my heart—it raced out of my chest straight toward my twin.

“No!” I tore myself from Daniel’s grip and crawled toward V. Tears waterfalled down my cheeks. Guilt and self-hatred layered. I’d done this. I’d cause this. V was hurt all because I made a Hawk choose me over everyone.

“V!”

Vaughn shook off his handler’s hold, throwing himself toward me. We crashed together, hands clutching, arms hugging, hearts thundering. “What happened? Are you okay?”

V hugged me hard. “I’m okay, Threads. I’m so sorry.”

Daniel stood over us, arms crossed; his lips twisted in a sadistic laugh. “Fucking cocksucker deserved it.”

Jethro let out an agonising cry. My attention split from my twin to my soul-mate. Cut kicked him, his fists clenched and ready to rain. “I saw the fucking video, Kite.” Cut’s voice was death and eyes evil incarnate. “Kes might know computers, but did you honestly think I wouldn’t notice!”

Everything happened too fast. Way, way too fast.

What is going on?!

“Stop!” Jethro shouted, bracing himself for another kick. “Let me explain.”

“Explain?” Cut laughed coldly. “Explain the fact that you drugged Daniel and me, then proceeded to splice a fucking video of Emma Weaver. You had the fucking nerve to trick me into believing we’d had a turn with Nila?”

Vaughn choked, his face turning ghostly. “What—what are they talking about, Threads?”

As much as I feared for my brother, my loyalties were to Jethro first. He was my family as much as V was. I staggered to my feet, balling my hands. “Don’t take it out on him. It was my idea.”

Cut paused, his eyes spinning with hatred. “Your idea?” He stalked forward. “Your idea. So you were the stupid one to believe I didn’t imprint every moment of that night. I remember everything about Emma. I have fucking dreams of using her. Do you think I wouldn’t fucking notice!”

My heart split with a thousand swords, thinking of my mother being hurt by Cut. But that was the past. She was gone. I couldn’t save her anymore. But I could save Jethro and V. They were mine to protect—mine to rescue.

“I’m sorry! Just forget it. Leave my brother alone and don’t hurt Jethro anymore.”

Cut dragged hands through his hair, shaking his head with abhorrent disbelief. “You think I’ll listen to you? Why should I, bitch? What will you give me in return?”

Jethro stumbled to his knees, wrapping an arm around his side. Every breath rattled in his lungs like broken china. “Don’t, Nila. It was my idea. My mistake.” Speaking to Cut, he glared. “Do whatever you want with me, but leave her the fuck out of it. Kill me. End the Debt Inheritance. Let this all be over!”

Cut whirled on his firstborn. “This isn’t over until I say it’s over.” Pointing a livid finger at me, Cut snarled, “She didn’t pay. The Third Debt was never completed.”

Daniel stepped in front of me, slapping me hard on the cheek. My head whipped, and a vertigo wave made me trip sideways. “You fucking drugged us. That’s against the rules.”

“Leave her alone, you bastard!” V shouted, trying unsuccessfully to climb to his feet.

Vertigo attacked harder. I swallowed, doing my best not to vomit. My cheek ached but it was nothing compared to the pressuring terror building inside.

I cried, “Just let him go!”

Please, end this. Someone save this disaster, before it’s too late.

“Don’t touch him!” I shouted again. “Please, leave him alone.”

Daniel snickered. “Leave who alone, princess? Your pussy brother or my brother who you’re fucking?”

Vaughn threw himself at Daniel’s legs. With a yelp, Daniel punched him but fell sideways, landing on the carpet. The fight didn’t last long. Vaughn was strong and stayed fit with regular gym visits, but it was nothing compared to Daniel’s manic insanity.

Rolling away, Daniel kicked him right in the jaw.

V crumpled.

My heart shattered. “No!”

“What on earth is the kerfuffle in here?” a prim, papery voice said.

All eyes turned on the recent addition to the parlour.

Bonnie Hawk.

Her attention surveyed her son, grandsons, and me before smiling coldly. Leaning heavily on a brand new walking stick, she snapped her fingers. “Jasmine. Kestrel. Would you come and join us, please?”

The sudden madness seemed to cease—her appearance granted a strange kind of peace to the battleground. She acted as if we’d all popped by for tea and cakes, completely ignoring or not caring that blood stained the pristine carpet and my brother was unconscious at her feet.

My heart stuck in tar as Jasmine rolled sedately into the room. Her bronze eyes hid her terror, but her face couldn’t hide her dislike. She didn’t look away from Jethro.

Jethro looked back at his sister, hanging his head in shame.

Kestrel came into the room, his hands tied behind his back, his face a mismatch of purple, black, and blue.

He gave me a sad smile, flicking his attention between Jethro, V, and his father.

“Glad you could join us,” Cut snarled, glaring at his offspring.

Jasmine sat taller in her chair, her pink angora jumper matching the deep rose of the blanket thrown over her legs. “Father, don’t do this. Think about what this will—”

“He knows the consequences, child,” Bonnie interrupted. “And he’s accepted the payment as a necessary sacrifice.” Her matching skirt and blazer were black, as if she were already in mourning. A string of pearls graced her throat, bobbing with every swallow. Her eyes landed on Cut. “It’s your decision, son.”

Cut nodded, getting his temper under control, slipping back into a ruthless, terrifying man with far too much power.

I trembled, trying to work out the dynamics in the room.

What is going on?

No answers came, and in a seamless move, Cut reached behind him and pulled free a pistol.

My heart stopped.

I stood transfixed in the centre, stuck between Jethro and Vaughn. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t decide who was the most at risk of a madman waving a gun.

“Help him up, will you, Daniel?” Cut pointed the muzzle at Jethro.

I blinked back another vertigo spell as I darted forward. “No!”

Cut trained the gun on me. “Do not move, Ms. Weaver.”

Daniel obeyed, grabbing Jethro under his arms, yanking him upright. The moment he was on his feet, Jethro bent forward, looking like he would throw up or pass out. Sweat darkened his hair, his naked thighs bunched with effort to remain standing. He looked so defenceless in a t-shirt and boxer-briefs—clear evidence that we’d broken every rule and slept together.

Cut cocked the weapon, glaring at his son. “I’m going to give you one last choice, Jethro.”

Jethro shook his head, smacking his lips. “No more choices. Just kill me and let the Weavers go.” His eyes flickered to my unconscious brother. “Both of them.”

Daniel snickered—completely in his element. Bonnie just watched while Jasmine and Kes remained mute with nerves.

No one spoke. No one wanted to bring attention to themselves while Cut wielded a gun.

“One more choice,” Cut repeated. “You better choose wisely.” Planting his stance in the thick carpet, he raised the weapon.

Jasmine whimpered as the muzzle pointed at Kes. “Father, please...don’t do this. We love you. We’re your children!”

“Silence,” Bonnie commanded. “You will do as I say, child. No more talking without permission.”

Jasmine seemed to wilt, but her shoulders remained defiant.

Kestrel puffed out his chest, facing death with the decorum of any worthy fighter. “You’ll never live with yourself if you do this,” he muttered. “I’m your son.”

Cut bared his teeth. “You ceased being my son the moment you uploaded the atrocity of a video and thought I was so fucking stupid to buy it.” His head whipped to Jethro. “Choose, Jet!”

“I don’t know what you want me to do!” Jethro yelled. “You expect me to name a sibling for you to murder? Why would I when it was all my fault? They had nothing to do with this. Nothing!”

Cut stiffened, closing his eye to aim.

I ran forward—to do what? Who knew. But I was too late.

“Wrong choice.” His finger squeezed the trigger.

The gunpowder ignited.

The room ricocheted with noise.

A bullet leapt from the gun, tearing faster than sight to lodge into a Hawk offspring.

“No!” Jethro bellowed, charging forward.

A flare of red appeared on Kestrel’s chest the second before he collapsed to his knees. His face went blank with shock, lips round with disbelief.

“You never had a choice,” Cut murmured, aiming at his daughter.

Jethro moved the second Cut pulled the trigger.

I saw it all.

I felt it all.

One moment, Jethro was alive. His heart beating. His soul linked with mine.

The next, he threw himself in front of his wheelchair-bound sister, accepting the bullet into his own body.

I didn’t react for the longest moment.

I couldn’t believe the story before me.

He couldn’t be dead.

He can’t be dead.

He’s not dead!

I staggered forward, my hands clamping over my mouth.

He cannot be dead!

Jasmine screamed as her brother fell over her, his torso slamming against her atrophied legs, his knees crashing to the carpet.

And then he rolled.

He rolled off his beloved sister, lying face down on the carpet.

“Nooooooooo!” I threw myself beside him, shaking him, begging him. “Jethro. Please, open your eyes!”

Daniel laughed. Bonnie stared. Jasmine screamed.

And through it all, Cut said nothing.

I could barely stay in one piece. My body wanted to dissolve into a billion fractals and float away in despair. I trembled so badly, it took two attempts to roll Jethro onto his back.

His eyes were closed, lips slack, blood blooming from his chest like a morbid rose—petals upon petals spreading with glowing crimson.

“Jethro...” Tears gushed down my face. Breaths were non-existent as I gagged and choked on sobs. “Please, don’t leave me. Not now.”

Then I was plucked up and away, dragged further and further from my lover.

I lost awareness of my body.

I shut down.

In my mind, I still kneeled beside Jethro feeling him grow colder by the second—leaving me.

Cut appeared in my vision, his face tight and strained. I hung lifeless in Daniel’s arms, unable to comprehend what just happened.

I was numb.

I was lifeless.

I was gone.

“Listen to me, Ms. Weaver. I’m only going to say this once.” Turning me in Daniel’s arms, Cut pointed at Vaughn. My brother lay splayed on the carpet just like Jethro and Kestrel, but unlike them, he was still with me. Still alive. Still in danger.

“Your brother is a recent addition to our family. He’s what you’d call collateral.” He stroked the sulphur-smoking muzzle of his gun. “I’m sick of you not obeying and I’m sick to fucking death of pinning hopes on a son who isn’t trustworthy. There’s been a change of plans.”

Daniel held me closer. “A good change of plans.”

Cut pointed at V. “If you’re good, he lives. If you’re bad, he dies.” He shrugged. “It couldn’t be any simpler than that.”

V moaned, rousing.

I wanted to feel something, but I’d switched off. Unable to cope.

I was a brittle leaf about to turn to dust in the wind.

Cut whispered, “Jethro and Kestrel are no longer your concern. They’ve paid for their lies and stupidity. I only hope you’re smarter than they were.”

Daniel sneered. “Only the worms will be interested in them now.”

No...it can’t be true.

Bending over me, Cut cast both Daniel and me in his monstrous shadow. “You should keep that in mind. I won’t hesitate to hurt you, Ms. Weaver. Think how easily I dispatched my sinning sons.” His face shadowed. “I would be afraid if I were you. Afraid and highly obedient.”

Cupping my chin, he pressed a dry kiss on my mouth.

My innards shrunk and died.

Jasmine’s sobs were background noise. V’s curses nothing more than a hum.

I’d just lost everything in a few short minutes.

He’s just lying there.

Get up, Jethro. Please, get up.

Cut ran his gun over my jaw. “Say hello to my new heir, Nila.”

No, he can’t mean...

Daniel jiggled me in his arms, never letting me go. He cupped my breasts with harsh fingers. “Be polite, whore. Say hello.”

I clamped my lips together.

I kept staring at Jethro, begging for this to be some terrible mistake.

“Along with inheriting my power, my fortune, and my title, Daniel has acquired the Debt Inheritance’s responsibility.” Cut placed himself in front of me, blocking Jethro’s bleeding body.

Every word made me crave a bullet. I wanted to end it. I wanted to chase Jethro to the underworld and leave everything behind.

There’s nothing left. Not anymore.

Bonnie shuffled forward, her cane sinking into the carpet. “We’ve all agreed to nominate a new master. If Daniel carries out the remainder of the tasks, he will take over my son’s position before his thirtieth.”

She came closer, bringing the stench of death with her. Her hazel eyes flashed, red lips spread in a victory grin. “When you left two months ago, I knew something special would have to be done upon your return. No one makes a mockery of my house like your family has done without paying a serious price. Consider this the beginning of a bigger debt. You owe us for the inconvenience your brother caused.”

Cut laughed, pressing cold fingers beneath my chin, angling my face to his. “Understand, Ms. Weaver, Daniel will carry out the Final Debt. And if he does, as I trust he will, everything goes to him. And unlike my previous sons, he will not disappoint me.” Placing another dry kiss on my lips, he murmured, “Congratulations Ms. Weaver. You now belong to Daniel ‘Buzzard’ Hawk...

...

And he’s going to make your life a living fucking hell.”

––––––––

***Information on HSP & VEP taken from http://healing.about.com/od/empathic/a/HSP_hallowes.htm.***

***Jethro’s comment about his condition was taken from:

Pearl S. Buck, (1892-1973), recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938, said the following about Highly Sensitive People:

"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:

A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.

To him... a touch is a blow,

a sound is a noise,

a misfortune is a tragedy,

a joy is an ecstasy,

a friend is a lover,

a lover is a god,

and failure is death.