Final Debt

He didn’t say a word as he opened it and entered the code to the large safe and spun the dial. Once the armoured entrance hung open, Jethro bowed. “After you, Ms. Weaver.”

I grinned. “I can imagine Cut is turning over in his grave seeing Weavers stay happily in his Hall and touch his diamonds on display.”

Jethro hadn’t told me what’d happened in the outbuilding, and I hadn’t pried. That was his trauma and triumph to bear.

Bonnie had been buried on the estate, in the catacombs beneath the house. Her sarcophagus had already been crafted as per the custom of burial rights for rich lords and ladies.

At first, I hated to think of Bonnie beneath my feet as I roamed the Hall, but after a while, I didn’t mind. I’d won. She hadn’t. It was her penance, not mine, to witness life move on for the better while she rotted below.

Daniel’s body had never been found. His bones gnawed on and flesh devoured by predators. The Hawks had taken so much from the African soil. Karma had seen to pay that debt with his flesh.

“I don’t think he would’ve minded as much as we think.” Jethro moved toward the safety deposit boxes. “In the end, he truly was sorry for what he’d done. Without him revoking the conditions on his last Will and Testament, all of this would’ve been lost. We would’ve spent years in legal battles trying to claim our birthright and Hawksridge would’ve been torn to pieces by the state.”

I looped my fingers, listening quietly. Whatever passed between Jethro and Cut that day was their own affair, but I was glad Jethro got closure. Cut hadn’t died with hate in his heart as I’d expected. He’d died with an apology and sorrow. I hoped he was at peace, wherever he was.

Standing in the middle of the safe, I waited as Jethro pulled out the long gunmetal grey drawer.

My heart beat faster.

I know what’s in there.

The last time he’d shown me the original black diamond, he’d hinted at what he was. He used the stone as an example of his condition—absorbing light and emotions rather than refracting and preventing them from entering. The analogy was perfect for him.

Moving closer, I placed my hand on his forearm. “I should’ve guessed that day. I should’ve known what you were and convinced you to run away with me.”

He chuckled. “Running was never an option, Needle. But you’re right. Those drugs really fucked me up. I’d hoped you’d guess and slap me out of it.”

I smiled. “I seem to remember I did in the end. I marched into your bedroom and forced you to listen.”

“You’ll never know how much your strength helped. How your tenacity to make me feel broke my unhappiness.” His lips touched mine as his hands pulled out the black pouch.

“This is for you.” He pushed the soft material into my grip.

I jerked backward. “What? No. There is no way I can accept that!”

He grinned. “Yes, you can. By accepting me, you’ve accepted it already. It’s yours and I want you to open it.”

“Jethro…”

He placed the ribbon in my fingers. “Open it.”

My hands shook as I opened the velvet. My eyes narrowed. I expected one large stone tenderly nestled in padding. However, something didn’t look right. Inside rested more parcels wrapped in delicate tissue paper.

Jethro crossed his arms, smugness decorating his face. “Go on. Keep going. You haven’t opened it all yet.”

Placing the pouch on the table, I plucked out the first packet. My fingers trembled harder as I pushed aside crepe paper. As soon as I unwrapped it, I almost dropped it. “Oh, my God.”

Jethro didn’t say a word as I pulled out the most stunning bracelet I’d ever seen. “This…it’s…you made this from the single black diamond?”

The one stone that’d started it all. The priceless gem that’d raised his family to riches and tainted glory so long ago.

Jethro nodded. “Yes.” Taking the dangling bracelet, his fingers traced the filigree pattern where gold licked around clusters of black diamonds, steadily growing bigger to one large rock in the centre of the design. “Give me your wrist.”

Speechless, I held out my arm.

Jethro very gently secured the jewellery. Of course, it was the perfect size. “You had this made for me?”

“How could I not?” He kissed me again. My heart transformed into feathers wanting to take flight. “You’re the reason I’m alive and happy. I want to give you everything, Nila.”

Running his fingers over the uniquely shaped diamonds, he added, “This cut is called a kite. It’s rare—not many jewellers remember the art.” He smirked. “I thought it was rather fitting to use in the design.”

I couldn’t stop staring. “More than fitting. Now I have a Kite in my heart and kites on my wrist.”

“For the rest of your life, I hope.”

Not letting me answer, he looked at the pouch again. “There’s more. Open the next one.”

I couldn’t pull my eyes away from the one he’d already given me. It was too much. Far, far more than I ever expected. The blackness of the stones sucked the light, glowing like an otherworldly charm.

Unable to speak, I pulled free the next crepe paper present. Tears glossed my eyes as I revealed what rested inside. “Jethro—”

Before I could kiss him or pounce in gratefulness, he dropped to one knee before me.

Stealing the black diamond ring, he grabbed my shaking left hand and smiled tenderly. “I’ve asked you to marry me twice. And each time you’ve said yes. As far as I’m concerned, you became a Hawk the moment you answered my first text. But I couldn’t steal you away for the rest of your life without doing this properly.”