Page 288 of Coal Hearts

Whose discipline?

Mine?

Guests who’d broken off and sat muttering over their forgotten breakfasts perked with interest. “Finally gonna punish them for being late, Vic?”

“Indeed.” Victor nodded. “Well, Henri is.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Punish who?”

“My jewels of course.”

It felt like another test. To see if I’d baulk.

Never again.

I sniffed. “How do you want me to do it?”

“Use your imagination.” He grinned. “But I expect you to punish them all. In one fell swoop.”

I frowned. “Does the remote allow you to shock more than one jewel at a time?”

“Yes. If they’re touching.” Victor smiled slyly. “In fact, they enjoyed touching so much this morning, I say we return the favour.”

My heart skipped, then went quiet.

My mind shot back to what Victor had accused. That Peter had kissed Ily. He’d put his mouth on hers. On what was mine. Fury boiled quick and black.

Letting Ily go, I pointed to where Peter kneeled by the fountain.

She wanted to touch him so badly?

So be it.

Backing up a little, I snapped my fingers. “Every jewel, get back in line. Now.”

A scurry of feet on pristine grass. A quick shuddering of hedges as they crawled from behind sculpted animals.

One by one, they all resumed their meek kneeling pose, close but not too close, heads bowed and waiting.

“Go join them, little nightmare.” I arched my chin at the trembling slaves. “Sit beside Peter.”

Her upper lip curled as if she wanted to throw some violent words my way before she obeyed and went to him. An Indonesian girl had to scoot sideways to give her space, pressing them all a little tighter.

Victor didn’t interfere, nor did he instruct.

He might not have shot me, but I was on thin ice. The hairline cracks were there. The occasional groan as stability threatened to give beneath my feet.

Grabbing the remote from my pocket, I held it up. “How long is usual for this type of infraction?”

Victor pursed his lips. “Let’s do ten seconds.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s plenty.” He scowled a little. “They still have a full day of service before them. Don’t rob their ability to behave just because you’re feeling...how did you put it? Murderous?”

“Only murderous if someone touches what’s mine.”

“Ah, so that’s why you’re so eager.” He grinned as his eyes skated to Peter. “You really shouldn’t have kissed her, my pet.” His loafers hissed through the grass as he stepped a little closer. “And if I find you doing it again, I’ll cut out your ungrateful tongue.” He laughed quietly. “I know, I know...I’ve threatened to do that before, but you always convince me to let you keep it because you use it so well. But there will come a time when even a good blowjob won’t save you.”