Page 277 of Coal Hearts

What a silly, stupid—

“Do it, Ian,” Victor drawled. “He’s being stubborn. Rape his little crush and—”

“There’s no way for me to convince you that I’m not law enforcement.” I curled my hands, ready to punch another bastard in the nose. “I have no badge number to give you or a secret phone number to call. You know yourself that I haven’t been able to ring for help because your technology keeps this place so well hidden. You’re far too smart to think I’m a threat to you.”

I narrowed my eyes on Ian, who pressed his cock against Ily’s bare ass.

And fuck, it was hard.

So fucking hard to stay seated and not wrench his dick off with my bare hands.

She closed her eyes.

Her breath turned shallow.

“You know how I feel about compliments.” Victor smiled tightly. “Get on with it.”

Ian shifted, widening his stance.

The guards lined up on either side of me, cold guns wedged against my temples again.

At least if they shot me, Victor would be covered in brains and bone.

But so would Ily.

And I’d already scarred her for fucking life.

And if you want to keep scarring her, then do something.

I had no more loyalty.

No more heroic need to be good.

There’s no need to hesitate.

Tell him...

“Out of curiosity’s sake...” I did my best not to snarl as Ian angled himself down. “What would I have to do to stop all of this?” I fiddled with a discarded napkin, unable to keep my fingers still.

Victor huffed. “Nothing. You betrayed me. You came into my home under false pretences and thought you could take me down.” His blue eyes darkened. “Is your name even Henri Ward?”

And there it was.

The question I didn’t even know I’d been waiting for.

The question that would either save me or ruin me.

Leaning back, ever so fucking grateful my heartrate slowed and my hands stopped shaking, I shook my head. “Nope.”

“No?” Victor cocked his head. “What do you mean, no?”

“I mean, Ward is not my last name.”

“Yet another falsehood it would seem.” Victor sighed as if he truly hated everyone. “Tell me, if it’s not too much of a fucking inconvenience, Henri, what is your real name, and why should I care?”

I flexed my shoulders.

I cricked my neck.