She sniffed. “In that case, you can’t inflict worse pain than I’ve already endured. The day you shot him and I believed he was dead is the worst you can ever do.” Her tone strengthened until it shone with steel. “So do your worst, Cut Hawk, because I can survive you.”

Cut didn’t reply, but his hand lashed out to wrap around her waist. “We’ll see about that.”  Jerking her elbow, he spun her around to face away from him. “If that’s how you want to play this.” Letting her go, he pulled out a switchblade from his back pocket.

My heart splattered into my toes.

Stop!

I growled and struggled, but it was no use.

Shit!

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe the Fourth Debt would still include slicing off a limb or appendage. I had to stop him!

Don’t!

Don’t fucking touch her!

With a flick of his wrist, Cut sliced through the rope around Nila’s wrists and spun her around to face him again.

The relief at no blood being drawn layered my shoulders with heavy relief. I slouched, breathing hard, fighting through the thump-thump of my headache.

Thank fuck.

Tucking the knife back into his pocket, he smiled. “Now you’ve had time to think about your lies, Nila, let’s try again. Where is Daniel?”

Black hair flicked as she shook her head. “I’ve already told you. I don’t know.”

“You do know.”

“I don’t.”

Cut gathered her close, wedging her body against his. “When I find out the truth, you’ll understand I can deliver pain outside of the original debts to be claimed.” He ran a hand over her chin. “If I find out you’ve hurt or somehow killed my youngest, you’ll wish to God you died in the car crash today.”

Pacing away, he gathered his temper. His boots scuffed the earthen floor.

My eyes immediately latched with Nila’s. Now Cut’s body didn’t block hers, I shot as much love and pride that I could.

I’m so fucking in love with you.

She smiled sadly. I know.

We’ll get through this.

Her body folded with depression. Her eyes didn’t return a response.

Cut moved behind Nila, folding his arms around her in a rotting embrace. Locking eyes with me, he whispered in Nila’s ear.

I couldn’t hear, but the change in Nila faded her heartbeat by heartbeat.

Christ, I wanted to stop this. Hadn’t he done enough?

My tongue pulsed against the gag, doing my best to curse and yell.

Her spine rolled, her cheeks whitened, her hands opened and closed by her sides. When Cut finished whispering, she bit her lip and shook her head.

He murmured again, his breath disturbing her short hair.

Once again, she shook her head, gritting her jaw against the sudden sickness rolling from her. Not sick from a malady but sick to the stomach with hate and disgust.

What did he say to her?

What happened at Hawksridge with the dice?

Cut whispered harder, his voice hissing like a snake. Again words were non-existent but his tone was insistent. He pointed a finger at me, his lips forming rapid threats.

Don’t listen to him.

Whatever he does to me, I’ll take it.

If it means you’re safe, I’ll do anything.

Nila looked up, her dusky skin as white as the clouds far, far above us. She studied me. Decisions fluttered then shredded. Conclusions formed then discarded with revulsion.

I sensed her battle but wanted to howl when she finally nodded.

Don’t…don’t…

Whatever it is…don’t.

“Fine.”

Cut smiled. “Good girl.”

My eyes bugged as Nila willingly spun in Cut’s embrace, facing him in the cage of his embrace. Her back blocked what her hands did, but the muscles in her spine rippled beneath her clothing.

My stomach knotted as she sucked in a breath; her hands moved to Cut’s belt.

No. Fuck, no.

I tripled my efforts, my head roaring, my ribs screaming.

I growled and grunted and groaned. I sounded like a wild beast fighting for its life.

No!

Her elbows moved as her fingers flew over his belt and fly, undoing both effortlessly. I hated her skills with zippers and buttons. I hated her gorgeous hands and strong fingers and how they disappeared into Cut’s trousers.

My voice garbled around the gag, swearing in every dialect as Nila swallowed a moan and touched my father where she should never have to touch.

Cut’s eyes darkened as her hand wrapped around him.

My gut clenched, appalled and outraged he’d forced her to do something so wrong.

“Good girl,” he murmured as her hand worked up and down. I didn’t need to see what happened to have foul images splash across my mind. She touched him. She fucking stroked my father’s cock.

The chair creaked and splintered as I shook—fighting, fighting against the ropes.

Nila stiffened as Cut whispered loud enough for me to hear. “That’s it. Make me hard. The drugs from last night might’ve left your system, but I’ll make you scream while you pay my part of the Third Debt.”

Fuck, he was going to rape her in front of me?

He was going to emasculate me and kill me all over again by stripping Nila of her rights as a woman.

I won’t.

She can’t.

Throwing myself to the side, the chair legs buckled. Gravity latched on, slamming me sideways to the floor. Pain radiated through my shoulder, but I didn’t care. My feet kicked, trying to unravel the rope from around my ankles. I stretched, slowly inching the twine down the chair legs.