Page 392 of Coal Hearts

His eyes flickered to mine as if he sensed me questioning so many things.

My heart stopped.

He jerked.

All those guarded feelings in him crowded behind the walls he’d tried to erect.

He looked as if I truly undid him, only this time...he’d begun to despise it.

“You know, mon ami, if you enjoy dispatching my guests so much, perhaps I will put you to work, hmm?” Victor sipped his coffee, watching Henri over the rim.

Henri tore his gaze from mine. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Victor shrugged. “I should be reprimanding you. All my guests are aware I don’t tolerate brawls or in-house violence. To fight one another equals immediate chastisement or a revocation of their invitation. I even sent Larry home yesterday as I’m not in the mood to listen to his whining. But...”

“But?” Henri stiffened.

“Lucky for you, you actually did me a tiny favour.”

“How so?” His forehead furrowed.

Victor carelessly tossed me a blueberry and custard tart and lowered his voice. “A little birdie told me that Daxton wasn’t keeping secrets as well as he should. He informed someone about the location of my Elysium. I obviously don’t need to tell you what a big fucking no-no that is. Especially with your brother hunting. He was one of the scant few who I let boat here. The rest I fly in—windows blindfolded and no address given. I thought he was trustworthy after a decade of his company. I was wrong.”

“Do you think Q was behind it?” Henri asked. “Bribed him to talk?”

“Who can say?” Victor leaned back. “All I know is...Daxton Hall was a walking dead man. And it pleased me to think of him enjoying himself, one last time, all while knowing he wouldn’t be leaving here on Sunday when he was due to go back home to his wife and three little girls.”

I froze with the sticky, sweet tart at my lips.

My stomach growled.

My appetite roared.

But the thought that the man who’d almost raped me had three daughters? That he had no empathy to be able to put his own flesh and blood into my shoes. Or imagine how he’d feel if another man did to them what he did to me...

My mouth gushed with sick saliva.

I threw the tart onto the grass. A cloud of cheeky sparrows descended in glee.

Henri’s gaze cut to me.

I looked up.

Our eyes caught all over again, and he did yet another of his heart-scrambling tricks. Bending a little, he tucked a few straight strands behind my ear and continued talking to Victor as if he hadn’t just blown my aching chest apart.

“How many of your guests know your exact location?”

Victor smirked. “Why? Do you want it?”

“I won’t deny that I’m curious.” Henri glanced around the glittering castle, gardens, and wealth. “It’s my new home, after all. Even if I have made a reputation to be avoided in here. I’d like to know my address.”

Victor kept a careful eye on Henri before he smiled. “If you’re still curious in a decade, I will tell you.” He waggled a finger. “As long as you behave and stop giving me reasons to murder you, of course. And don’t worry, they’ll come around. They’re only waiting on my verdict.”

“Your verdict?”

“To kill you, banish you, or forgive you.”

“Gotcha.” Henri tossed back the dregs of his coffee. “Well, I hate to tell you, Vic, but if you haven’t killed me by now, I think I’m safe.”