Fisting my short hair, Daniel hoisted me up and planted a foul kiss on my mouth.

What the—

I wanted to vomit.

Once he let me go, I swiped at my tongue, backing away. “Just because—”

“I’ve had enough. One more word, Weaver. One more fucking word.” His hand shook as he pointed at the puddle on the floor. “Clean that up and have a shower. You stink. I expect you and this bedroom to be clean for our little get together when my father gets back.”

I bared my teeth. “You think you’re so untouchable, Daniel Hawk, but let me tell you. You aren’t. I understand you a little better, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to let you rape me. It might be tonight, or tomorrow, or the day after, but I will hurt you. I’ll—”

He laughed loudly, cutting me off. “Such stupid promises from such a stupid Weaver. Know what I believe? Tonight, I’ll be fucking you. Tomorrow, I’ll be hurting you. And the day after, I’ll inherit one of the wealthiest estates in the world because you’ll be dead. I’m no longer the mistake. I’m the chosen one. So fucking shut up and get ready for me.” He kissed me again, his putrid tongue trying to gain entry into my mouth.

My stomach revolted and in a flash of lunacy, I opened my lips and permitted him to lick.

Then, I bit.

Hard.

So, so hard.

Coppery blood tinged my taste buds, triumphantly splashing the first blood drawn. And it hadn't been mine.

“Fuck.” He yanked me back. Pain exploded on my scalp as his fingers tore at my hair. “You do that again and you won’t wake up.”

“We’ll see.”

Grinding against me, he inhaled me like a beast. “You want me to disobey my father? You want me to fuck you right here, right now?” His nose dragged shivers over my skin. “Say one more word and you’re on your fucking knees.”

I gagged on horrible images but somehow found the courage to retaliate. I couldn’t show fear. I wouldn’t show fear ever again.

I laughed in his demonic face.

Daniel’s eyes met mine, hooded and manic. “Want my cock, Weaver? I’ll gladly give it to you if you piss me off again.” He waited, focusing on my lips. His erection jammed against my lower belly.

Stomping on my terror, I glared. “You touch me, you die. Cut won’t like you disobeying him. You’ll be back to being the mistake. The unwanted. The unneeded.”

Jethro.

Kestrel.

Would Cut kill Daniel, too?

From three heirs to none.

Daniel trembled with lustful rage. “You fucking—”

“Go ahead and fuck me but you’ll be the third son your father shoots.”

He froze.

For the longest second, we glowered. The sound of wilderness and our shallow breathing was our serenade.

Finally, he threw me away and stormed toward the exit. “I’m not that crazy. And you’re not worth a bullet. I’ll wait.”

I couldn’t stop my muscles trembling.

Thank God.

I’d pushed too far. I’d been idiotic in taunting him. It would’ve been my fault if he’d raped me. But I’d gotten under his skin and unsettled his equilibrium. I’d shown him I wasn’t a wallflower he could pluck the petals off and stomp beneath his shoe. I had thorns…needles…pain to deliver.

His fist grabbed the tent flap, shaking with vehemence. Turning, he smiled coldly. “You’re being so patient, little Weaver. I know all those questions were to make me snap. I know how much you want my cock—you’re practically begging for it.” His eyes narrowed. “How do you think that would make Jet feel? Knowing his corpse is barely cold and you want to fuck his younger brother?”

Clucking his tongue, he blew me a kiss. “I’ll make sure to reward you for being so patient. Expect a lot of persuasion to scream later.”

Before I could hurl obscenities, he was gone.

I stood there forever, hugging myself. My knees shook, threatening to dump me to the floor.

What have I done?

I knew what I’d just done.

I’d made whatever my future held worse.

Why? Why did I antagonise him?

Because this was it. The end. There would be no going back from here. No second chances. They would take from me. Tear apart everything I had to give. And I hoped to God I would take from them before it was over.

With numb fingers, I stroked my knitting needle hidden in my hoodie pocket.

Stay strong. Don’t stop fighting.

Daniel’s silhouette graced the outside of the tent as he snapped his fingers at Marquise. His lumbering form marched closer, waiting for orders.

“Stand here. Arm your weapon. If she tries to run, shoot her.”

Tears tried to crest but I shoved them down. This wasn’t Hawksridge. Daniel wasn’t Jethro. And this was no longer a game. The stark truth couldn’t hide: I was in deep shit.

Marquise nodded. “Right-o.”

Sticking his head back into the tent, Daniel grinned. “Just so you’re aware, if you try to run, you’ll know what Jethro and Kes felt when they died by bullet. How’s that for a bedtime story?”

His boots crunched on the deck as he leapt to the dusty ground and left. Marquise popped his head inside, only to give me a cold smile before zipping up the mosquito screen across the door.

Cocking his gun, he turned his back on me.

Alone.

Finally.

I didn’t waste any time.

I didn’t know how long Cut would be, but it wouldn’t be long enough. I needed to switch off any sentiments or remaining hints of the girl I’d been and prepare to become a ruthless killer.