“What the hell are you talking about, boy?!” Cut exploded.
Facet jumped. “They have a warrant, sir. They—they barged past, regardless of our warnings. We reminded them that we own their department—that our brotherhood is beyond their reach.” He hung his head. “It didn’t do any good.”
The entire table sucked in a breath.
Warrant?
Could it be?
Jethro went deathly still beside me. Every connection we shared froze, no longer a two-way street of togetherness and affection. A road block slammed into place, masking his every thought.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. My heart squeezed as he stared fiercely at the opposite wall, refusing to look at me.
“Jethro—” I breathed.
His jaw locked; snowflakes flurried around him as he pulled more and more away from me. Goosebumps dotted my flesh.
Cut roared, “Tell those fucking pigs to get off my land. Their warrant means jack-shit.”
“Sir, I’ve told them. But they won’t listen. They say—they say they’re here for—”
Jethro burst out laughing—a cold, cynical chuckle. “That low life piece of shit. He did this. They’re here for her.” He looked at the ceiling, his face twisting into nightmares. “Of course, they fucking are.”
A warrant could mean many things. It might not have anything to do with me. Yet a screeching, tearing noise echoed in my ears. It’s my soul. The awful ripping sound was my soul splintering in two. If they had come for me…that meant…
I’m saved.
I’d wished for this very thing to happen.
I’d prayed for this. I’d begged for this.
Escape.
So, why—if it was true—did I wish to run to my quarters and hide?
I don’t want to leave him.
I can’t leave him.
Not after last night.
Jethro balled his hands, his eyes sharp and deadly. He snarled at Facet, “Tell them they can’t fucking have her.”
My heart squeezed. Pain blazed through me with more agony than I thought possible. He wouldn’t give me up. He couldn’t give me up.
We were one now. It’d been written in the stars and on our very skin.
Escape.
The word slithered through my brain, bringing forth thoughts of London and home. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the steadily building allure.
You could go home.
No, my home is here now.
But you’d be safe again…
My steadfast promise to stay and steal Jethro from his heritage faded…I became confused…
I swallowed, lubricating my throat. “Jethro—please…”
I needed him to fight for me. To prove that this was my place, my destiny.
Jethro clenched his jaw, shoving his chair back and standing. “Quiet!” Pointing a finger at Facet, he growled. “Do they, or do they not, have a fucking warrant for what’s mine?”
Facet swallowed. “Yes.”
“How?” I blurted, causing every man to look in my direction. “How do they have a warrant?”
Facet’s mouth fell open, looking to Cut to see if he should reply.
Cut glowered at me as if I’d brought the apocalypse to his door.
No one spoke.
What did my father do?
How did V find a way to free me?
My heart winged thinking of my twin. He’d promised he would never give up. I should’ve trusted him.
I should be more grateful.
I wanted to kill him.
He’d ruined it. He’d taken everything I’d worked for and torn it away from me.
I’m alive and going home.
I’m alive and going home.
The words repeated in my head.
I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for Jethro.
I’m in love with him.
He’d infected me, and no matter how much distance was between us, that would never change. I was his. And he was mine.
Jethro’s eyes locked with me—the golden depths burned with despair and scorching agony. “I warned him. I tried to stop…”
He showed too much.
He felt too much.
My diamond collar grew heavier, colder.
You said you’d be the last.
You promised you’d end this.
My stomach somersaulted.
If they’re here for you. Leave.
You have no choice.
I ached.
“Warned who? What’s happened? Jethro…I’m not leaving. Even if they are here for me.”
Jethro didn’t move. He looked as if the light in his soul had snuffed out. The peace and openness of last night was gone. Disappeared.
“I’ll kill him for this,” he muttered.
Unfurling my hand, I looked at my inked finger. I needed him to know that what happened last night wasn’t a trick. He needed to know that I intended to stay—even though it might be the worst decision in the world.
My stomach clenched at the thought of leaving.
Facet blurted, “Sir, they’re here to take Nila Weaver home.”
The words fell like bombs, detonating my last hope.
It’s true then.
Cut stood up. He spoke slowly and with the blackest temper I’d ever seen. “You’re mistaken, boy. I suggest you get out of my sight. Tell whoever threatened you to get off my fucking land.”
“They’re—they’re in the annex, sir. They said if we don’t deliver the girl within five minutes, they’ll tear apart the place looking for her.”