Incredibly, Bonnie came to my rescue. “I’m not watching a rutting. Kiss him, Ms. Weaver. Save the rest for a room without my presence.”

My heart scurried like a terrified rabbit.

Daniel bared his teeth. “Don’t override me. I’ll get her to do whatever the fuck I want.”

Cut crossed his arms. “Not tonight. You’ll have her. And it’s going to be a far sight better than a quick fuck on the floor.” Coming toward me, his eyes lit up with secrets. “We’ll be somewhere no one can touch you. And you’ll do whatever we say.”

Vaughn struggled as Cut pressed a fleeting kiss on my mouth. “Now, go kiss my son to avoid your brother being punched, and then we can move on.”

Daniel grumbled, “Fine, kiss me, whore. But not just any kiss; something that will make me believe you mean it.”

V jerked in Marquise’s hold, the groan in his chest a resounding plea for him to take the punishment. Didn’t he see? I couldn’t live with myself if I had a way of sparing him more pain.

A kiss is nothing. A kiss I can do.

A small price to pay for my brother’s wellbeing.

Linking my hands together, I lashed myself tighter than the twine. Holding my chin high, I turned to Daniel.

His eyebrow rose, intrigued and eager. His eyes slowly filled with lust as I crossed the small space and stood on my tiptoes before him. His chin came down, lips parted, but he didn’t cross the final distance.

He waited for me.

He waited to accept a kiss I swore I’d never give him—no matter how much they tried to break me.

Incredulously, I felt as if I cheated on Jethro.

I’m sorry.

Holding my breath, taming my roiling stomach, I pressed my mouth against his. He was warm and tasted slightly salty, but he didn’t force me to deepen or stick his tongue down my throat.

It all hinged on me.

I have to make him believe.

Otherwise, it would’ve been for nothing.

Repulsion worked my gag reflex. I wanted to pull away. But I pressed my mouth harder against his, squeezing my eyes to annul the truth of who I kissed.

I’m stronger than this.

Finding my last remaining strength, I licked Daniel’s bottom lip.

He groaned as I slipped my tongue into his mouth. I wasn’t tentative or hesitant. I’d learned how to kiss thanks to Jethro’s majesty at drawing desire from me.

If Daniel wanted me to make him believe, I’d make him bloody believe.

His chest rose and fell, brushing my nipples, reminding me of what Jethro had done to me. The anger inside him seemed to pause, lulled by whatever magic I held over him.

My throat closed; I ran out of breath.

I reached my limit.

Pulling away, I spat on the rug by his feet. “You believed me. You can’t deny it.”

Breath was hard to catch as I stared triumphantly at his trousers. “There’s evidence that you can’t hide, Buzzard.” I cocked my head at the tented material. “You can’t touch him. I did what you asked.”

The softness of him taking what I gave vanished. Lashing out, he grabbed my hair. He shook me, rage darkening his face. “Just wait till we make you repay the Third Debt, whore. You’ll regret that.”

Vaughn grunted again, but no one paid him any attention.

Bonnie remained quiet, letting her youngest grandson do what he wanted.

Letting me go, Daniel plucked the dice from the floor. Shaking it, he tossed it down again.

Red.

Pain.

I swallowed hard, doing my best not to show fear.

Vaughn didn’t do such a good job. He fought and squirmed, earning a punch to his gut—even after I’d kissed Daniel to prevent it.

“Don’t! I paid the damn requirement!”

Cut clucked his tongue. “Marquise. She’s right. Don’t hurt him unless she refuses.”

Vaughn doubled over, his legs buckling in Marquise’s hold.

Daniel pointed at the dice. “Pain, Nila.” Tapping his chin, he pretended to think. “What can I make you do?”

Cut murmured, “Hang on, I’m calling rights on this one.”

I tensed.

He tilted his head in my direction. “Nila will pay that one for me with no complaints but she’ll do it when we get to where we’re going. Isn’t that right, Nila?”

My eyes flickered to V.

Cut’s voice licked around me. “You’ll know what it is when I ask, and you’ll permit it. Because if you don’t, I’ll just kill your brother and be fucking done with it.”

V growled. I stayed quiet. I’d played this game longer than he had, and I knew how to deal with Cut now.

Narrowing my eyes, I asked, “Why drag it on? Why not just kill me here?”

Cut clenched his jaw. “If you have to ask that, you haven’t been paying attention.” He stalked forward. “Agree to what I just asked and you’ll learn before the end.”

There was no other answer I could give. I glowered. “Fine.”

He smirked. “Good girl.”

Daniel pouted but shook off his disappointment by collecting the dice. “Oh, well, my turn again.” Shaking the dice, he snickered, “Ready for another?” He rubbed his lips in lewd reminder. “Maybe I can have you blow me next.”

Acid drenched my insides.

Daniel rolled the dice. The horrible thing bounced off the rug, coming to a stop on red.

Shit.

I sucked in a heavy breath.

You can do it. Do it for V.