He’s right.

Cut continued, “If your plaything is attractive, it only makes sense to use her for pleasure. As I mentioned before, Hawks are weak in that area and the Weavers somehow carry that knowledge in their bones. Didn’t you think there’d been accidents? Birth control wasn’t around at the start of this contract. Did you stop to wonder if there were half-breeds born of both Hawk and Weaver bloodlines? Impure abominations?”

My heart went from slow to interested. “No, I hadn’t.” I honestly hadn’t contemplated much of our heritage or history. Would that void the contract then? Firstborn carrying both genes?

I guess not, because it’s still in effect.

“What happened to them?”

Cut smiled cruelly. “Same thing that happened to their mothers.”

The alcohol I’d consumed oozed through my blood.

He leaned forward. “When Nila returns, when the time comes to extract more debts, you’re free to do whatever you want with her. I’ll put an end to any illegitimate offspring, and as long as you teach that whore her place, then I give you my vow that on your thirtieth birthday, I will gladly hand you the keys to everything I own. It will all be yours, Jethro.”

Finch majestically landed on the back of the couch, his beak sharp and deadly. Cut stroked the bird as if no threat echoed in his words.

I raised my empty glass. “Her tricks won’t work again, Father. Consider my eyes open and my heart firmly aligned with the Hawks.”

“Good to hear.” His gaze locked on mine. “Because if you disappoint me again, there will be two bodies in Nila Weaver’s grave. Mark my words, Jet. I love you, but I won’t hesitate to kill you if you screw this up again.”

Twenty-one days.

Five hundred and four hours. One hundred and twenty-seven tablets.

I hadn’t relapsed. I’d taken my medicine religiously, and Cut had tested me thoroughly.

I’d passed.

I was ready.

To celebrate the next stage of our plan, my father took the brotherhood off the estate to a local pub in the village. He hired out the entire place and bought each Black Diamond member dinner along with an open bar.

The night was full of laughter and drunken idiocy. Kes remained cool but friendly, and Daniel drank far too much, as fucking usual. I enjoyed myself, growing in my role as heir and basking in the way my men watched me. They looked at me the same way they looked at Cut—with trepidation and respect.

I’d truly taken my place, and there was no mistaking I was next in line for the throne.

After a four-course dinner and plenty of crude innuendoes, Cut stood at the head of the table, clinking a knife against his half-empty beer.

The low ceilings of the 16th century pub pressed down on us with hops drying in the rafters. It was quaint and country—so different to the imposing halls and artifacts of Hawksridge.

“Attention.” Cut tapped his glass again. Men continued to snicker and drink. Cut slammed his glass down, making the dirty plates rattle. “Attention!”

Silence fell; all eyes zeroed in on Cut. “Time to toast. Listen up.”

A few men saluted while others sobered.

“Stand up, Jethro.”

The past three weeks had changed us. His face had lost its pinched anger. I’d lost my defiant hatred. We no longer looked at each other like we wanted to kill and maim.

We were equals.

I got my wish. I found a place in my family. I became…him.

Cut raised his arms. “Tonight is a special night, boys. Not only have we expanded across Sierra Leone this month and done more trades than ever before, but I believe luck has finally granted us a true successor.”

I’d done everything he’d asked. Put everything into place like he wished. And tonight, I’d earned his ultimate respect.

He tilted his glass to me. “The newspapers are bored with shredding my name. The black market dealers are back to buying in bulk, and our notoriety has only strengthened. The Weavers think they’ve won, but this is only the beginning.”

I planted my heavy boots on the ancient floor, mirroring him in a toast. “Here, here.”

The men followed, murmuring ascent.

We’d all seen the newspapers, the broadcasts of Vaughn Weaver telling secrets that should never be told. He thought he’d ruined us. That any moment we’d be arrested and convicted.

Stupid, stupid idiot.

Dressed in black leather with our stitched emblem of Black Diamonds on the pocket, I felt invincible. Nothing could stop us now. No one could even try.

I was untouchable. And it was fucking magical.

“To Jethro.” Cut’s voice softened. “To my son. To Kite. I’m so glad you’ve finally seen the error of your ways. I always knew you had potential and have no doubt you’ll earn everything I have to give before this is over.”

I nodded. “You can trust me.”

The men stomped their feet, sloshing their beer onto the table.

Kestrel patted my back. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Daniel gave me a signature smirk. “Roll on the next debt, brother.”

I was firstborn.

This was my legacy.

After weeks of preparation, I’d agreed once and for all to prove it.

By killing Nila Weaver.

LIFE MOVED ON.

I learned to live with a broken heart and stopped jumping at shadows.

No one came to steal me back, and the threat of destroying my family’s life went unresolved. However, I had one question that never left: Are they just biding their time?