Final Debt

Kill didn’t say a word, gripping my father tighter in his arms.

Nila bit her lip, looking down at Jasmine, waiting for her reply.

Jaz sat stiffly in her chair. I let my condition fan stronger, singling her out in the crowd. She felt the same fear Nila did. Fear that I’d never be the same if I did this. Fear that it would forever haunt me.

That might be the case, but I owed this debt. To the miners who’d helped free me. To Kill who’d had my back. To Textile for the death of his wife. To everyone involved in the Debt Inheritance.

I wasn’t doing this for me. I was doing this for them. And it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.

Jaz smiled softly as my eyes met hers. Her emotions quieted, fading into one singular calling: closure.

I nodded, letting her know I understood her conclusion. “Thank you.”

She smoothed the blanket over her useless legs. Legs that’d been payment for me. Disability given by our father who would now answer for his crimes.

Tonight was the night everything ended.

Cut’s life was the full stop on his terrible reign.

Jaz nodded, too. Wordlessly giving me permission and strength. Her eyes narrowed on Cut. “I tried to be the daughter you wanted, but I was never good enough. I hope that thought alone haunts you for eternity.”

Cut’s chest rose with an influx of breath, repentance bright in his gaze.

She didn’t give him forgiveness like Nila had. She’d suffered too much at his hand to be so selfless.

Her switch of fear for me and need for retribution drenched her. She wanted me to do this. She urged me to do this.

Good enough for me.

Cut swallowed, his face glowing, filling with things addressed to his daughter. The scramble of emotions from him smothered me and I deliberated removing his gag to say farewell to Jasmine.

However, my sister decided for me. Her fists wrapped around her wheels, shoving backward and granting space for Killian to move forward.

“Take him.” Her voice hissed. “I don’t want to see him anymore.” Grabbing Nila’s hand, she kept her anchored as Kill stormed forward, carting Cut toward the exit.

Nila’s gaze met mine. I sent a silent message. You understand why?

Her lips twisted, but she nodded. Yes.

“I’ll come find you when it’s done.” Turning my back on Nila’s family and a room full of carnage, I stalked past Kill and snapped my fingers for him to follow.

I didn’t stop to give directions. I trusted the biker president of Pure Corruption would obey. Whatever hierarchy existed, we were on equal footing. Kill knew the terms when he came to help me. I would pay him back for his help. I would honour the agreement we’d made.

Besides, his task was almost over.

While mine is just beginning.

Leaving the room of men, I sucked in a breath. The oxygen helped cleanse my system of thoughts and pain. I did my best to shut out Cut, but I couldn’t completely ignore him.

We were bound together until the end. Blood to blood. Pain to pain. There would be no separating my mind from his until he was dead.

“Jethro—” Nila gave chase, following us out the exit, leaving the guillotine behind.

I spun around just in time for her to launch into my arms. Her black hair glistened like a raven wing. The afternoon sunshine mocked us after the darkness that’d happened in the ballroom.

Kill continued onward, dragging Cut away and granting a small oasis of silence. My arms wrapped around her tightly even though I wanted to push her away.

Her chest rose and fell, her embrace one-armed with her other dangling painfully by her side. “Please, Kite…just stop for a moment and—”

“Nila, you promised.”

“I know, but—” Her eyes met mine, glossing with angry tears. “I’m not going to stop you. I understand. I really do. I just. I needed to—I need…”

My heart overflowed, and I grabbed her. My forehead nudged hers as I bowed over her. “I know what you need.”

My mouth claimed hers and she sighed, melted, positively submitted to my kiss. Her tongue instantly met mine in a tangle of hot desire, invoking pleasure and pain and undeniable passion.

This kiss deleted the last one we’d shared in the mine as she was dragged away. That kiss had been a goodbye. This kiss was a hello. An acknowledgment we soon wouldn’t have to fear tomorrow. That the future was no longer our enemy but our friend. We could be together. Our promise to get married could come true. Our heartbeats unnumbered now we’d won.

Pulling away, I kissed the tip of her nose, her eyelids, her hair. “I’ll be back soon.”

She arched in my hold, peppering my rough cheeks with affection. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

“I know.”

Slipping from my embrace, her gaze travelled past me to Cut. “Do you mind?”

I stiffened but didn’t stop her. “By all means.”

If it granted her closure, who was I to stop her saying goodbye? Cut was no threat. Even if he wasn’t bound and gagged and held by Kill, he wouldn’t run. I knew he’d accepted his fate and would stand regal and defiant until the end.

His almost royal bearing made me proud for a moment. Proud that I came from such strong stock, even if madness ran in his veins. If my condition had prevented me from inheriting his drive for perfection, regardless of what sins he committed, then I was glad.

I wasn’t like my family.

I was unique.

I was me.

And I’d never been more fucking grateful.