Jethro fisted his hands. “Tell them she’s mine and she’s not going anywhere.”
Daniel stood. “She’s our Weaver now.”
In a sick twisted way, the men imprisoning me were now on my side. I was no longer just a betrayer to my ancestors but a betrayer to my father and brother, too.
You would rather stay here than go home.
I would rather love and die young than be empty forever.
“What is the meaning of this screeching inside my house?”
All eyes turned to the raspy voice of Bonnie Hawk as she appeared in the doorway.
Facet moved sideways, giving up his audience to the matriarch of this insane family.
“I see the plot has thickened.” Bonnie crooked a finger in my direction, a large ruby glinting in the light. “How did you do this?”
“Me?” I glanced from Bonnie to Jethro. “I didn’t do it. I wouldn’t.”
“It wasn’t her,” Jethro snapped. “Get rid of the police. She’s not leaving.”
My arms craved to wrap around him. To thank him for keeping me.
Bonnie shuffled closer, her long skirt dragging on the carpet. Her white hair was curled and immaculate. “She’s brought scorn and blasphemy to our name.” Her eyes bored into mine. “I’ve seen what you do, little girl. I know what you want. And you won’t get it.” Pointing at the door, she ordered, “Get out.”
Cut punched the table. “No fucking—”
“She’s leaving this house.” Bonnie interrupted. “Now.”
Jethro moved to stand in front of me, blocking my body with his. “She’s staying.”
Bonnie smiled coldly. “There is no other way. They’re here for her. She’s going with them.” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me repeat myself, boy. You know as well as I do what your obligations are.”
I grabbed Jethro’s arm, unable to hide my emotions. If I hated the Hawks as much as Cut believed, I should’ve sprinted out the door, skipping with happiness. Instead, Cut would see that something deeper had happened—something that would be severely punished.
But I didn’t care.
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 fuck 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 fucking 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.