Page 315 of Coal Hearts

“You’re on probation. I’m open to giving you a lifetime membership and surprisingly amenable to the thought of you being a long-term guest. I’m aware if I sent you away, Q would kill you, so...for now, you have my blessing to stay indefinitely.”

Henri tipped his chin in respect. “Thank you—”

“And...” Victor shot me a look. “Seeing as you’re rather attached to your jewel, I’ll agree to extend your exclusivity for the foreseeable future. I’ve already talked to the other guests, and despite their misgivings, none of them have given me the funds that you will for the privilege, so...you’re a unique case, and I’m open to allowing certain advantages.”

Henri sat taller. “That’s—”

“Just one teeny tiny thing.” Victor held up his finger. “When the day comes that I want a taste. When I give the request to fuck her...you will not put up a fight. Not a single fucking word. Do you hear me?”

His words were like a bucket of icy slush.

My shoulders curled.

True horror soaked into my blood, dirty and damned.

I tried to be grateful that no one else would lay a finger on me.

But knowing I’d one day be Victor’s?

I wanted to be sick.

Violently, disgustingly sick.

Gritting his teeth, Henri studied me.

His hands flexed. His nostrils flared. He looked positively unhinged.

But finally...he nodded. “If that’s the price to keep her for my own, then...I accept.”

“Merveilleux.” (Marvelous.) Victor stood and swiped his palms on his shorts. “Now we’re both on the same page...is there anything you need? Clothing preferences? Medications? Things that you’ll miss from the outside world?”

Henri scratched his five o’clock shadow. “Eh...I think I’m good. Actually? You know what? A laptop would be appreciated.”

“A laptop?” Victor’s brows furrowed. “You know you can’t access the internet, no matter how much you gain my trust. You could be my own flesh and blood son, and I wouldn’t allow you a phone or social accounts.”

Henri stood and adjusted himself. “Not for that. To be honest, I don’t miss going online at all. It’s a haven to be away from the moaning and the mess, but what I am missing is writing.”

“Ah, yes.” Victor smirked. “The book you were penning.”

“Seems I’ll have spare time now. I won’t have to work at menial jobs to pay my bills, and well...” He chuckled. “I can only do so much fucking in one day.”

Victor grinned, glancing down at Henri’s straining boxers. “Tell me, mon ami. Have you fucked your jewel today? I’ve been slack looking at the cameras.”

“Once. In the shower.” He raked a hand over his face. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“Oh?”

Henri glanced at me.

I glowered back.

“I swear stealing something she didn’t want to give me is the best kind of aphrodisiac. I keep thinking that each time I take her is the best fuck of my life, only for it to pale each and every time.” He sighed happily. “And when she switched beneath me this morning? When she rocked back and impaled herself on my cock? When I felt her fucking fist me with an orgasm that choked my own release right out of me? Jesus Christ.”

I gagged on self-hatred.

Good grief, Ily.

My idiotic plan of claiming sex as my own method of survival seemed to have already backfired in my damn face.