Fourth Debt (Indebted 5)

I couldn’t stop shaking. I didn’t have the power to walk back there.

Jethro kissed the top of my head. “You’ve been so damn strong—stronger than me by far. I sent a note to Jasmine telling her what I’m planning. I asked her to make up an excuse to keep you in her room. She’ll watch over you. She’ll say you’re teaching her how to sew or something.” His voice dropped with love. “She’ll make sure you’re safe and out of their hands for two days.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that Jasmine’s power was minimal, slipping further on a daily basis. Bonnie had her ways to restrict Jasmine. I wouldn’t put it past the old witch to poison her for going against dear ole’ granny.

If Bonnie ever finds out Jasmine’s working against her...

“What are you going to do? Two days is too much time.”

Time again.

The enemy to us all.

The sands of hell.

“I’m going to call for help.” Jethro’s jaw twitched as if the thought of admitting he needed others frustrated him.

“Who?”

He frowned. “Just leave it to me. Don’t worry about it.”

“Tell me. I want to know.”

“You need to get back before they find you’re missing.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t climb up the drainpipe. Go through the front door and ask Jasmine for a key. She’ll wipe the camera footage in the morning.”

I took a step backward, needing to distance myself so I could walk out of there without kneeling and begging to go with him. “You’re changing the subject. Tell me what you’re planning.”

He exited the stall, forcing me to follow him down the aisle. “What do you want to know?”

Why couldn’t he see that by asking me to trust him and willingly return to the Hall, he owed me everything?

It’s taking everything that I am not to show you how terrified I am. How lonely. How defeated. You have to give me something to cling to. Something that will keep me strong.

“I want to know what you mean to do.”

He looked over his shoulder, holding his side.

Was it just me or was his skin whiter than before? A fever kissing his brow?

I wanted to strap him to a bed and nurse him back to full health. He still had a long way to go—no matter how adamant he was.

His golden eyes flashed in the darkness. “Fine, I’m going to call Kill. The guy you met at Diamond Alley. I’m going to enlist his help.”

“And he’ll give it?”

“Let’s just say, we have an agreement. He’ll come.”

“But he’s in the States. It’ll take him two days just to get here.”

Jethro spun around, coming to plant his hands on my hips. “I also plan to contact someone else. Someone who’s been doing a great deal of conspiring over the past month. Someone who has had enough like me.”

My heart skipped. Vaughn? “Who?”

Jethro kissed my cheek, brushing aside my hair with gentle fingers. “Your father.”

I froze. “Tex?”

He nodded. “Arch has been busy the past few weeks. While I’ve been healing, I’ve kept an eye on him. He’s gathering an army, Nila—not just media this time, but a proper bought team. He’s ready to hunt and I’ll give him the perfect target.”

“How—how do you know that?”

His teeth gleamed with anger and commitment. “I looked into his background. Pulled a few favours to find out if there’s been inconsistent spending in his accounts.”

“Wow—”

“Eh, Jet?” A figure appeared from the blackness.

I jumped. However, instead of cowering behind Jethro like I would’ve a few months ago, seeking protection and others to save me, I unthinkingly placed myself in front of him. My arms up, fists curled, teeth bared in defiance.

I might be almost broken, but I protected those I loved.

The hunchback came closer, skulking from the shadows. “Impressive stance, Nila. But if you mean to follow through with a punch, make sure your thumb is on the outside of your fingers. Otherwise, you’ll break it.”

I narrowed my eyes as the figure dumped two duffels from his shoulders to cobblestones. The dense fabric slapped loudly in the night silence.

“Flaw?”

A low chuckle reached my ears as he stepped from the darkness. “Hi, Nila.” His eyes skated over me, widening with understanding of what Jethro and I had gotten up to.

Jethro hugged me from behind, planting a kiss on my cheek. “I didn’t think I could love you any more than I do. You just proved me wrong. Thank you for protecting me.”

My heart burst.

Letting me go, he skirted in front of me and held out his hand. “Once again, you’ve earned my thanks.”

Flaw nodded, shaking Jethro’s grip. “Jasmine’s been told. I’ve got what you asked, and nobody is the wiser.” His eyes fell on me. “I can take you back to the estate, Nila. Give you an alibi if anyone’s up at this ungodly hour.” Fishing in his pocket, he held up a key. “I have the key to your room.”

Jethro rubbed his chin. “That might not be a bad idea. Just think up a decent excuse.” He narrowed his gaze in my direction. “You’ve been sick with the flu—you can’t deny it—I can still hear it in your lungs. Use that as a reason for midnight wanderings. You needed medicine.” His face darkened. “Which I doubt you asked for while you suffered.”