It made no sense.
The worker who’d cut me free gave me a hand. Without hesitating, I clasped fists, staggering to my feet. I stumbled sideways, finding yet more injuries now I stood upright. My right kneecap ached and a large bump on my thigh swelled with a new bruise.
The weakness from lack of rest and nutrition caught up with me as the room spun.
Holding my elbow, the worker didn’t say a word as I blinked and forced myself to be stronger.
Pushing the help away, I brushed off damp mud from my clothing with shaking hands. The movement helped remind my body how to react, fresh energy filtered, and the pain faded a little. Looking up, I glanced at the men all watching me. “I don’t understand.”
The manager came forward. His once white shirt was now stained a rusty ore from digging all his life. His skin glistened while his eyes shone with vengeance. His hand shook around the machete—still glistening with Marquise’s blood—as he raised it to my heart. In English, he repeated, “We saved you so you could save us.” His blade wobbled as he breathed hard. “We’ve taken care of the guards. We’re in control of the mine now. We thank Kestrel Hawk for his help, but the guards obey the bossman’s orders and our conditions are no better.”
Temper strained his voice. “We have had enough of being treated like slaves. Tonight we rise. So answer me honestly, diamond son, or share their fate.” His weapon shook as he pointed at Marquise and back to me. “Are you like them? Or are we right in thinking you are not like your family?”
I rubbed my face, forcing myself to focus on conversation not bodily pain. All Kes’s work here had been for nothing? Had none of his generosity and deals behind Cut’s back been delivered?
Injustice for our men and my brother’s cause pissed me off. “You’re asking if I’m not a Hawk?”
He shook his head. “No, we’re asking if you’re like them.”
I didn’t move. “Why? Why ask this now?”
The young man who’d freed me said, “We saw you.”
My eyes landed on Marquise’s corpse, unable to look away from the gash in his neck from the sword. “Saw what?”
“Saw you drag your brother’s body and the lions take it. You killed your own flesh and blood.”
Fuck.
I froze.
I didn’t think now was the time to mention Nila had killed him. I’d just helped tidy up.
The manager moved closer, his fingers tightening around his blade. “You killed him because you don’t agree with his practices, yes?”
I frowned, trying to keep up. How long had they hated my family? How long had they waited to overthrow us? My heart thundered with their combined hurt and hope. They’d killed in order for me to help them.
We were on the same path.
Bracing myself, I banished myself from my family, vanquishing any relation. I let myself be true with the men who’d saved my life. “No, I don’t agree with his practices. If I’m honest, I never did.”
“We can tell.” The manager smiled. “We watched you while you were younger. You are not like them.”
He didn’t know he’d just given me a compliment I would always remember. All my life, I hated the fact I wasn’t like my family, that I was an outcast, a disappointment. But now…now, I couldn’t be more fucking thankful.
It just saved my life.
I pressed a fist over my heart. “I’m forever in your debt.”
Debt.
Indebted.
It seemed Nila wasn’t indebted any more, but I was. A Hawk owing a debt. I rather liked the responsibility of paying them back after something so unforgettable.
The manager lowered his machete. “You’ll help us?”
I nodded. “I give you my word.”
He grunted under his breath. “Good.”
“I promise I’ll change everything you are not happy with. But first…I really need to go after my father. I need to save—”
“The woman. Yes. I know.” The manager sidestepped, waving at the exit. “A Jeep is waiting at the top of the mine. The driver will take you to the airport.”
I couldn’t stop the swell of gratitude. Moving toward the ziplock bag Cut had left behind after loading up Nila’s cast with as many diamonds as he could fit, I scooped out a handful, stuffed them into my dirty jeans, and handed him the remains.
Inside rested countless jewels to be included in the next shipment. Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stones. “Please, call me Kite. Spread this out amongst your men. I’ll be back as soon as I’ve controlled the situation at home.”
He grinned, taking the diamonds. “Thank you, boss.”
I shook my head. “No, thank you.”
Moving a few paces, my legs argued and my gunshot wound protested, but I had bigger things to worry about.
I had to get home.
I had to fly.
Looking one last time at the manager and workers who had changed my future, I stalked from the room as smoothly as I could. I ignored my headache. I dismissed the pains and discomfort in my muscles. I charged through the earthen labyrinth and exploded outside.
Fresh air.
New beginning.
Blinding hope.
This is it.
This was my true inheritance.
I’d earned the loyalty of men by remaining true to who I was.
Now, I would make the world a better place and end those who didn’t deserve to survive.
A worker beamed, revving a Jeep with the Hawk crest on the side as he waited for me to climb inside.