Without a backward glance, he left.

I balled my hands as I stalked the length of the corridor to the French doors leading outside.

I was riled, pissed, and entirely on edge. The molten desire of my almost-orgasm had switched into blistering annoyance. How dare Jethro come into my room unannounced and see me doing something so private? How dare he make me feel embarrassed but also strangely aroused at being caught? And how dare he tell me I sucked at lying, all while I caught him out on every single one!

After he’d left me to get dressed, my mind had created a few snarky comebacks. If he hadn’t have run—like he always did—I would’ve had the last laugh. I was sure of it.

I repeated my retaliation, committing them to memory so I could hurl them in his face next time we had a fight.

I’m already a better liar than you are.

Are you so stupid to believe I don’t see you?

Congratulations on winning the hypocritical award.

It’d been too late to say them, but I wouldn’t forget. It was time to tell him that I didn’t believe in his icy shell anymore. I was still afraid of him—on some level—but it was nothing compared to the sick terror I felt toward his father and brothers.

Crap, did I put it on?

I was so in my head while dressing in a knee-length black dress with a silver mesh jumper that I didn’t know if I’d attached my new favourite item.

My fingers moved fugitively to my outer thigh.

Thank God.

I relaxed when my fingers found the small garter I’d made out of Victorian cream lace and pearl buttons. Tight with elastic, it was used to hold up ladies’ pantyhose back in the day.

Now I used it to keep my stolen weapon from sight. The holster I’d made suited dresses and skirts but would be no use if I had to wear trousers. No matter, that was what bras were for.

After trying to eavesdrop on Jethro and the unknown woman, I’d given up and snuck to the dining room. There, I stole the ruby-encrusted dirk and placed a bronze figurine in front of the now empty hooks on the wall. I just hoped no one would notice.

“Nila! He said you were coming. I’m so glad.”

I spun around. My heart rate increased as Kes strode toward me. “Morning, Kestrel.”

He beamed; the hazy air of the ancient Hall blurred his five o’ clock shadow and neatly combed tinsel hair. I found it strange that the Hawks were so young, yet they were greying already. Almost as if time stole their youth in payment for their atrocities.

Kes took my shoulders and kissed first my right cheek then my left. “Pleasure to see you this morning. How’s your tattoo?”

I pressed my thumb against my index finger, activating the remaining burn from the needle and ink. “It’s good.”

Kes held out his hand, waiting until I slipped mine in his. He ran a finger gently over Jethro’s initials. “Lucky bastard gets to live on your flawless skin.” He grinned. He also wore a t-shirt and jodhpurs. Not that the tight trousers fit him nearly as good as Jethro. Kes was too bulky—too rough for something so…refined.

“Guess it’s official now.”

“Official?”

Kes nodded. “Just between you and me, I didn’t think my brother had it in him. He’s not coping—in fact, I’d go as far to say he’s the worst I’ve ever seen him—but he’s still managing to win against Cut.”

I peered at the small tattoo. “What do you mean?”

Kes laughed, brushing away the topic as if it was nothing. “Cut has watched and re-watched the video of Jethro whipping you for the First Debt. Apart from the footage cutting off before he untied you, Cut was pleasantly surprised at how vicious Jethro delivered the punishment.”

My heart skipped a beat remembering the agony I’d been in. “He didn’t hold anything back, that’s for sure.”

“Exactly. Which was the best thing for all. He’s proven he can be trusted to carry out the remaining debts and that means he’s still in the running for inheriting it all.”

I stood gobsmacked to learn there was more than just me and debts at play. What else was Jethro fighting for behind the scenes? “Inherit what?”

Hawksridge?

A holiday house?

The diamond mines?

Kes shook his head, tucking my hand into the crook of his arm. “Nothing. We’re late. Better head out there before they send in the stable lads.”

He took off at a brisk pace. I had no choice but to trot beside him as we traversed the remaining distance and exited the Hall.

Unlike a few days ago, the sunshine was bright and determined. I squinted, raising a hand to shield my eyes in the glare.

Kes asked, “Where is he?”

“Where’s who?” I looked around at the sprawling mayhem before us. Normally the large expanse of gravel at the front of the Hall was empty. Not so this morning.

Two large horse trucks blotted out the garden with their black sides and gold-gilded hawk crest. Three 4WDs dotted around, some with doors opened, others with their boots wide and being filled with equipment by quickly moving staff.

Kes snorted. “Who do you think? That brother of mine.”

“Oh, him. I guess he had to change.”

“Change?” His eyebrows shot up. Cut and Daniel stood off a little way, both dressed in suits with a black leather jacket. They looked so similar, so removed from the normal human race.

“Why would he have to change?”

“Because I took another shower quite by accident,” a masculine voice said behind me.