Fourth Debt

by Pepper Winters

  But I had none of that, so I noticed none.

  All I saw, heard, felt was a void: nothing but silent wind across my face and emptiness before me.

  His mouth twisted with rage. “Fuck you, Weaver. You’re mine now. What do you have to say for yourself?”

  The burn in my scalp chased away the icy tears on my cheeks. My heart had given up the moment a bullet slammed into the love of my life. If he wanted a reaction, he wouldn’t get it.

  Not this time, you bastard.

  Nothing.

  I have nothing.

  “My brothers are dead. How does that make you feel?”

  Nothing.

  I feel nothing.

  “Answer me, cunt! Tell me how much you don’t want me to touch you. How much you’re afraid of me!”

  Nothing.

  I care about nothing.

  Jethro was gone. I’d never seen anyone die before. Never been to a funeral or witnessed a pet succumb—even my own mother just vanished rather than died. My first participation in death and it’d been two men who’d captured my affection, turning me into a completely different person.

  The old Nila died the day she entered Hawksridge. But this new Nila was a fading photograph, vanishing piece by piece while her lover bled out on priceless carpet.

  Daniel threw me away from him. “Snap out of it!”

  Vertigo caught me in its sickening embrace. For once, I didn’t fight it. I tumbled to the carpet, letting a whirligig of rollercoasters and nausea take me, thanks to my broken brain. Normally, it was the worst kind of punishment, but now it was better than facing reality.

  Vibrations in the carpet alerted me to Daniel’s closeness. He towered over me, rage painting his face. “Pay attention to me, Weaver!” His boot shot like a black meteor, connecting with my belly.

  Air exploded from my lungs.

  Pain crept over my senses—pain I didn’t want to feel because it reminded me I wasn’t dead…wasn’t free. I was still here—in this pointless game of madness and deception.

  He’s dead.

  He’s dead.

  I’m all alone.

  Daniel kicked me again.

  His boot crunched against my belly, sending white-hot agony up my chest.

  Agony.

  And with agony came life.

  You’re not alone.

  Vaughn. My father. I still had family who mattered. People I couldn’t abandon.

  I’m not dead.

  I don’t have the luxury of giving up.

  Jethro and Kes had been murdered by men who’d polluted the world for long enough. I’d made a promise to my ancestors to end this. I now made a promise to them.

  I will kill your family.

  I will end this once and for all.

  My eyes shot wide. Energy zapped into my limbs. Agony made me reckless, granting false courage. I was stronger than this. Hadn’t I proven as much with what I’d lived through? Each debt I’d endured, I’d evolved from naïve little girl into a woman.

  I’m braver than this.

  Scrambling backward, I put as much distance between Daniel’s next kick and myself as I could.

  He placed his hands on his hips, laughing coldly. “Finally decided to play, huh? Took you long enough.”

  Coughing, I held my bruised belly and forced myself to stand.

  He didn’t approach me, giving me time to regroup. He enjoyed me fighting—he wanted me alive and screaming.

  Bastard.

  “I’ll kill you,” I whispered, wincing with every breath.

  He chuckled, moving toward me. “What did you say?”

  Standing taller, I locked eyes with him. My ribs bellowed from his kick, but steel entered my tone. “I said I’ll kill you.”

  He ran a hand through his dark hair, smiling. The evil tainting his soul suffocated him—he wasn’t attractive even though outwardly he had good bones and sex appeal. To me, he was a troll, a stinking pile of excrement.

  “I’d like to see you try.” He closed the distance between us one boot at a time.

  I parried backward. “You won’t see it coming.”

  “You won’t be able to get close enough to do it.” He winked smugly. “You’re nothing compared to me.”

  I bared my teeth. “It’ll happen when you least expect it.”

  “It will never happen.” He flexed his muscles. “I’m invincible.”

  “You’re human.”

  And that makes you killable.

  Every word filled me with power. Conviction and confidence shoved aside my numbness and grief.

  Jethro and Kes were dead. But it wasn’t the end for me. I had a purpose. I would complete that purpose.

  “Want to know why I came back? Why I didn’t run or hide?” The snow in my veins made its way into my heart. “I came back to ruin you.” Spit pooled in my mouth. If I’d been braver, I would’ve spat it all over his face. “I came back for him, but that’s over now.”

  I’ll avenge him, so help me, God. Kestrel, too. And myself. And my brother. And my mother and grandmother and generations of Weaver women.

  This was the beginning of the end.

  The Debt Inheritance was null and void—Cut had seen to that. It was time to slaughter the Hawks and extinguish a dynasty of torture. Every second made me stronger, filling me with a strange acceptance. Happiness wasn’t my life path—but destruction was. I would be that instrument of destruction.

  Daniel shook his head, positively glowing with insanity. “You came back to watch him die? How thoughtful.”

  “Wrong. I came back to end this.” Darkness settled around my soul, blotting out any remaining light.

  He’s dead.

  He’s dead.

  But I’ll keep my promise.

  I hadn’t been able to save Jethro, but I wouldn’t abandon him. “I made an oath to myself.” I narrowed my eyes, glad that they’d stopped watering—that I could look at him with strength rather than terror. “Want to know what that oath was?”

  He stiffened. “Don’t want to know anything about you, Weaver.” He licked his lips. “Scratch that. I want to know three things and three things only.”

  I shivered in disgust. “My oath was to destroy you. To end your father. To end you. No matter what you do—”

  He shot forward and slapped a hand over my mouth. His palm silenced me, sending my heart chugging with hatred. “Ah, that’s fucking rude. You were meant to ask what three things I want to know, not spout ridiculous bullshit.” His golden eyes—so similar to Jethro’s and Kestrel’s—glittered. “Go on…ask me.”

  His fingers pulsed on my cheeks as I shook my head. I couldn’t speak, but it didn’t stop me from screaming with every molecule.

  Never!

  His temper eddied around us. “Fine. Don’t need you to ask, ‘cause I’ll tell you anyway.” He crowded me, pressing his body against mine. “Three things, bitch. I want to know how your screams will sound in my ears.” His fingers dropped from my mouth, tracing my lips with his salty touch.

  “I want to know how your tiny hands will feel fighting me off.” His palm drifted down my throat, over my diamond collar, to my breasts.

  I closed my eyes as he kept going, lower and lower and lower.

  My teeth clamped on my bottom lip as he cupped my core with rancid fingers. The thin knickers and t-shirt I wore from sharing Jethro’s bed left me vulnerable. “And I want to know how your pussy will taste on my tongue.” Without any warning, he plucked me from the carpet and threw me against a wall.

  My shoulder slammed against a portrait of waxy fruit. I slithered to my knees. Pain flared, fear swelled, and vertigo did its best to steal me away.

  He’s dead.

  He’s dead.

  Don’t you dare give in.

  “I’ll show you that I get what I want. I’ll teach you to fucking respect me.” He towered over me, fists clenched. “Isn’t that what you think of me? That I’m some spoiled brat who was the ‘mistake’? That I was never good enough for t
his family or to have my own Weaver to torment?” His voice deepened with rage. “Saw the tampered video, Nila.”

  I struggled to stand, never taking my eyes off his boots.

  He stood poised, ready to kick. “Always knew Kes was a pillock, but I never took him for a fucking dreamer. Anyone could tell that wasn’t you with Cut. And it was a fucking mockery to believe I’d buy the badly spliced images of me with some whore. He couldn’t even overlay your face onto her body right. Not to mention the fact I remember the night I disfigured that bitch and Jethro tried to save her.”

  His hand lashed out, grabbing my hair. “She could’ve survived if he’d tried. He killed her—said it was what she wanted. That it was the only way she could live with what I’d done. I call fucking bullshit.”

  He shook his head, eyes wild. “He’s always been a pussy, and Kes was always a fucking sap. Jet drugged and lied to us—but fool on him. Cut will make you repay the Third Debt. Kes screwed up with that shoddy film—it could’ve been the best-edited video in all of bloody Hollywood, and I wouldn’t have bought it.” Slowly pulling me to my feet, he hissed, “Know why?”

  Kes had been a true friend. Jethro had been a true lover.

  They’re dead.

  They’re dead.

  Two friends gone.

  My heart cracked all over again, but instead of sinking into depths of despair, something happened. My temper warmed, growing brighter and stronger, nudging aside grief.

  Something was changing…building, evolving.

  “Answer me!” Daniel shook me. “Tell me why I would never have bought that fucked-up video.”

  Temper turned to rage, which turned to fury, creating a bubbling concoction of revenge.

  I stood before him proud and undefeated. “I know why. Because you’re a sick, deranged pervert who remembers things like rape and torture.”

  He barked with laughter. “Well, fuck me, you do understand.”

  Breath by breath, I sold my soul to the churning anger inside. I gave up my innocence. I traded all resemblance of peace and purity, letting the blackness consume me.

  Jethro had confused me—making me believe the debts were liveable. That, in the end, we’d win because we deserved to. His kindness outshone his cruelty, mixing the messages he sent.

  But Daniel.

  There was no more confusion.

  I knew as surely as the sun would rise, Daniel would rape, maim, and kill me. There was no compassion or affection inside him.

  That fantasy was done.

  But with that knowledge came clear-headedness. I no longer wanted to fight hate with love or pain with tenderness.

  I meant to meet Daniel in the abyss and kill him before he killed me.

  “I know enough to destroy you, Daniel Hawk.”

  My heart beat for the last time, frosting over—protecting itself for what I would do. I’d never planned on becoming a villain. But I’d never planned on losing my soul-mate, either.

  Daniel snarled, “You’re a dead woman.” He squeezed my throat below my diamond collar, wedging me against the wall. “I mean to fill your final days on Earth with suffering. You’ll see. You’ll beg me to kill you before I’m finished.”

  I gasped. Every instinct urged to scramble at his tight fingers. But I didn’t beg or plead. The numbness turned to coldness, and I understood my predicament better than ever before.

  I’m a killer.

  I just needed a weapon to fulfil it.

  “Buzzard!”

  Daniel froze, turning to face the door. His hand never let go of my throat, anger filtering through his grip.

  I couldn’t turn my head, but in my periphery stood my second target. The man I would kill after dispatching his youngest son.

  Bryan Hawk.

  “Let her go for a moment. There’s a good boy.” Cut tapped a key against his chin—the key which no doubt unlocked the entrance to Daniel’s bedroom. Inching over the threshold, he came further into sight.

  Daniel gathered me close, spinning me around so I squashed against his front. His breath wafted in my ear as his hand fisted my breast like I was a trophy to be touted.

  I didn’t care. My body was as numb as my soul.

  My eyes widened as a red-faced, tear-stained Jasmine rolled in behind her father. If I hadn’t locked away my pain, I would’ve burst into tears and shared her grief.

  Why was she here? How could she stand to be around her father after what he’d done?

  Two of her brothers, gone.

  Half of her family obliterated by the man who should’ve protected them from everything.

  He’d tried to kill her, yet she willingly breathed the same air as him.

  Why?

  “What are you doing?” Daniel grunted, kneading my breast. “You said—”

  “I know what I said.” Cut prowled closer, his gaze taking in my dry eyes and balled hands. His jaw ticked, but that was the only sign of emotion. “Something has come to light.”

  Jasmine looked at me. Something didn’t seem right. Her cheekbones sliced through pale skin, her normally sleek bob messy and tangled. But she had an edge about her speaking of unpredictability and almost…deranged mania.

  He’s dead.

  He’s dead.

  Of course, she wouldn’t cope.

  “Get out!” Daniel took a step back, hauling me with him. Our legs entwined, but I didn’t fight. I had the power to kill him, but we had to be alone. That was the only way.

  Cut tucked the key into his pocket. “Buzzard, listen—”

  “No, listen to me.” Jasmine shoved the rims of her wheelchair, barging past Cut and coasting at supersonic speed toward us. “Let her fucking go, Dan!”

  Daniel flinched.

  Jasmine cursing was wrong—as if she’d never sworn in her life. She looked too perfect to stoop so low. However, the unhinged glint in her bronze eyes and whitewashed face held no hint of weakness from watching two brothers die.

  She looked livid rather than heartbroken.

  What is going on?

  Daniel’s gaze swooped to Cut. “What the fu—”

  “Do as she says,” Cut ordered.

  I swallowed as Daniel tweaked my nipple. “Like shit I will. She’s mine. We’ve all decided.”

  “Listen to your father, child.” Bonnie appeared, entering the room and resting two hands on her walking stick.

  Shit, they’re all here.

  My hackles rose.

  In my melancholy and newly budding fury, I’d forgotten about Bonnie. I’d counted only two victims. Two men who would suffocate in dirty graves, eaten by worms.

  I have three targets.

  Three lives to steal to avenge so many others.

  Daniel stepped back, dragging me with him. “No chance. Get out. The lot of you. The door was locked for a motherfucking reason.”

  Bonnie growled, sounding like a grizzly bear about to teach her cubs a lesson. “Drop her. Don’t make me say it again.”

  Drop her? Like I’m some dog’s chew toy.

  The bubbling darkness inside wanted to strike and rip out her voice box. I wanted her bleeding at my feet.

  Just like him.

  Jethro’s blood stained this house.

  Hers will, too.

  “This is bullshit,” Daniel spat, shoving me away from him. The moment I was free, Jasmine rolled toward me and captured my wrist with cold fingers.

  My stomach churned.

  I didn’t like this turn of events. I didn’t want any more confusion. Daniel was black and white. I was black and white. Death or life—those were my two choices. This scuffle was a grey area and if I let myself lose my cut-throat mentality, I wouldn’t be able to continue.

  He’s dead.

  He’s dead.

  He’s not coming back.

  The grief threatened to wash me away again.

  “She’s mine. I’m the oldest.” Jasmine spun her chair, dragging me to face Bonnie and Cut. “You agreed. Tell him.”

  I looked ov
er my shoulder at Daniel, hating the fact he was behind me. I didn’t want to take my eyes off the little creep.

  You’re a dead man walking, Buzzard.

  My mind raced with images of my pilfered dirk sliding between his ribs. Of slashing his throat. Of cutting off his balls.

  “You have a valid argument, Jasmine.” Bonnie nodded. “And we’ll discuss it further when the mess of today is over with.”

  I swallowed a gasp. The mess of today? She talked about the murder of her two grandsons as if it was an inconvenient mishap.

  Who are these people?

  “No, I want to hear that she’s mine. Right now.” Her fingernails dug into my flesh, breaking my skin, imprinting crescent moon cuts.

  I didn’t flinch.

  Jaz’s eyes met mine. They were just as lifeless and cold as me. A switch had triggered in both of us, leaving us lost in this new world.

  “You belong to me, Nila Weaver. You’re the reason my two brothers are dead.” Yanking me down to her height, she hissed, “You’ll pay. I’ll make you pay so damn much for what you’ve done.”

  What?

  A cloud worse than numbness consumed me.

  She’d lost everything back in the parlour. She’d even lost herself.

  Who was this woman? Sure, Jasmine had never been ultra-friendly with me. In fact, she’d asked me to die the last time I’d visited her to save her brother. But I’d never seen someone so remote and vastly changed.

  Then again, what did I expect? Why would she soften toward me now that the worst had happened?

  Cut jumped in. “We’ll discuss it at greater length. But I do agree; Daniel doesn’t get full rights to her. You are my daughter and the successor matriarch. You know our empire inside out, whereas Daniel is yet to be trained. It’s only fair that you have joint ownership of the final debts, and the pain she is required to pay.”

  I bit my lip, unable to tear my eyes away from Jasmine.

  What did this mean? Would I have to dig four graves instead of three? I never wanted to kill Jasmine. But I would if she gave me a reason.