“What the fuck happened? Is my daughter okay? Tell me what the hell you did!”

“She is for now, but she won’t be if we don’t move fast. Get ready. I’ll meet you outside the gates to the estate in—” I checked the clock. Landing was in two hours. The local airport I’d ordered us to land in was closer to Buckinghamshire than Heathrow. Every extra minute I gained on my father counted. On a commercial service, Cut would’ve had no choice but to land at Heathrow.

Local time would place my arrival at late morning.

I’m closing in.

Working out the time differences, I said, “Meet me at eleven thirty a.m. Bring everything you have. I’ll tell you what we need to do when I’m there.”

“Jethro—”

“No, I don’t have the time to console or repeat myself—just be there.” I hung up and dialled the next man on my list.

Kill answered on the third ring.

“Speak.”

“Kill, it’s Hawk.”

“About time you fucking called. Been sitting in this damn bed and breakfast waiting for the green light to move.”

“You’re in Buckinghamshire?”

“Where the fuck else would I be? I said I’d come. I came. Brought three of my best men with me, too.”

I slouched in my seat with gratitude.

Thank God for friends in random places.

I took a deep breath. “I need you to get to Hawksridge as soon as you can. Sneak onto the grounds. Hide. If you see anything threatening Nila Weaver’s life, you have full permission to do whatever’s necessary.” My voice faded. “Just keep her safe for me. I’m almost there.”

“The woman I met at your diamond warehouse?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “That’s the one. My father will have her, or possibly my grandmother. I want to deal with them on my own so keep them alive if possible. But above all, do whatever you need to keep Nila unharmed—even if it means slaughtering them.”

Kill’s voice grew cold and calculated. “You have my word. We’ll leave now. See you soon, Hawk.”

Hanging up, my fingers shook as I dialled the final number.

“Flaw speaking.”

“Flaw…it’s Kite.”

It didn’t escape my notice I’d made three phone calls and used three names. Was that who I’d become? Three facets of myself? How would I choose which was the better side of me and settle into one person after so much strife?

“Shit, man. Cut just arrived ten minutes ago. Bonnie has Nila up in her quarters. Where the fuck are you?”

Shit!

“I’m on my way. I’ve sent reinforcements, but I need you to do something for me.”

“Name it.”

“I’m making you vice president of the Black Diamonds. I need you to gather those you trust to take down the members loyal to Cut. Fracture and Cushion should swear allegiance to you. Colour might, too—he was friends with Kes and not a bad guy. But the rest, I’m unsure of. You’ll have to work out who to trust and who to peg for a rebellion. You think you can do that?”

Silence before he gulped. “You want me to start anarchy?”

“I’m asking you to get the brothers out of the way. The war is happening right now. It’s going to end tonight. I can’t have the club getting in the way.”

“I know which members will stick by you and which won’t. Leave it with me. I’ll make sure to keep them out of the way and deal with those who won’t behave.”

I smiled with thanks. “Appreciate it. I’ll be there soon. Help will arrive with me. I have reinforcements. Just stay low and get ready.”

“Been born ready, my man. This is yours. Don’t fucking care it’s not your thirtieth or you haven’t inherited the estate yet. This became personal when that motherfucker shot Kes in cold blood.”

Leaning against the window, I sighed. “It’s personal. And it’s almost over.”

Flaw growled, “Let’s finish this for him.”

The ache returned to my heart—this time for my brother.

I fucking miss you, Kestrel.

“For Kes.” Hanging up, my eyes fell on the clouds and world far below us.

Up here, I was closer to my brother. Closer to his untethered soul.

If you can hear me, brother. Don’t leave. Not yet. Things will be better after tonight. You’ll be safe. Jaz will be safe. We can have the life you always dreamed.

Turbulence hit the plane, bouncing us like a skittle.

I liked to think it was him…telling me he’d heard and wouldn’t give up.

Stay alive. Give me a little more time.

And then wake up and come home.

“COME HERE, CHILD.”

All I wanted to do was escape, to be alone so I could drop the mask of defiance and indifference. It took every effort to come across contrite and fearful but not guilty and sinful.

Daniel’s death glowed inside me, giving me power. But I couldn’t deny I was tired. I needed to rest...in case I said something stupid and escalated my death from tomorrow to today.

Jethro…keep breathing.

Every time I thought of him, the image of dank mines and oppressive walls came back. I hated him trapped down there, alone, hurting.

I knew so much now. I knew about Mabel and William. I knew a secret both Bonnie and Cut didn’t know.

The secret burned a hole in my soul because what good was a secret if I died with it—especially when it would grant pain to hear it.