Page 36 of Coal Hearts

The older guy placed his drink on the bar and strode toward me. Snow settled along my spine as he ducked in front of me and pressed his finger beneath my chin. “Do you think fighting back makes you strong? That cursing and squirming will protect you?” He tutted under his breath. “Silly girl. It doesn’t. It just makes it fun. You are nothing. Merely chattel. An orifice to fuck. A pet to toy with.”

“You’re a bastard and I will make you pay.”

He grabbed my jaw, sending flurries of fear through me. “That is the last time your insolence will be permitted. If you value your life, you will shut up, take what we give you, and thank us for the privilege.” He smirked and glanced at Henri. “And if Henri finally lets himself out to play and stops pretending he has any decency left, then you will obey him, spread for him, and allow him to take whatever he wishes from you because...if you don’t?” He patted my cheek. “You won’t last long.”

Straightening, he grabbed something from his pocket and tossed it at Henri. “Here.”

Henri swiped it from the air. His eyebrows shot up. “A condom?”

“Seeing as you’re both untested, and we have no idea if she’s on birth control, wrap it up. I don’t want bastards being born at my estate.” Marching back to the bar, he snatched up the drink Roland poured for him and sipped it daintily. “Once we’re home, you’ll both undergo a blood test, and she’ll be given the necessary precautions against pregnancy. For now...don’t be stupid.”

Henri panted hard beside me, fisting the silver packet.

I tried to catch his stare, but he pinched the bridge of his nose, glared at the golden flash of his cufflinks, then sighed heavily.

That sigh told me everything.

Whatever restraint he still held. Whatever morals he still followed...they were cracking, fraying.

“Henri...don’t,” I breathed.

His gaze caught mine. He didn’t say a word. Balling his hands, he circled me, stopped behind me, then grabbed the large leather strap dangling from the table.

I gasped as he flopped it over my back, then cinched it tight with the buckle. He tightened it just enough to keep me imprisoned on the table.

Claustrophobia clawed.

True terror shot through my blood. “Don’t. Don’t do this—”

“I don’t have a choice,” he grunted, his tone dropping to a whisper. “Just...don’t move, let me take you, and we’ll both walk away from this.” His left hand landed on my hip while his right...vanished up my skirt.

I winced as he drew a searing path upward.

I clenched my legs together, clamping around his wrist.

He cursed under his breath and used his knee to wedge my thighs apart. “You can’t stop this. You can’t stop me.” With barely any power, he kicked aside my left leg and wedged his shoe against my boot, keeping me spread.

“Stop it!” My heart galloped. “Don’t.”

His slightly calloused touch grazed higher and higher. I scrambled on my tiptoes, trying to get away from his mind-numbing stroke. The belt kept me locked in place. The cuffs kept me subservient.

I couldn’t run.

Couldn’t flee.

And he didn’t stop.

He.

Did.

Not.

Stop.

Inch by inch, feather by feather, up and up and...up.

“Please.” I panted as tears breached my eyelashes, cascading down my cheeks as his fingers—