Page 40 of Coal Hearts

Where the hell is his estate, and how am I supposed to let Q know that Victor has radio-scrambling technology?

I smoothed down my charcoal blazer and ran my fingers over the concealed weapon inside the lining. I couldn’t risk bringing a gun—no matter how small—especially after the pat down I’d had before getting onto the plane, but I had spent hours last week, unpicking the silk lining and inserting a wickedly sharp switchblade.

Ily glanced at me as I fingered the hidden knife. Her eyes narrowed; she shifted in the cream leather airplane seat. “I’ll kill you for this,” she whispered, shooting a look at Victor, who spoke a few words to the captain. Roland didn’t give a shit about us as he tucked into a plate of syrup-drowning pancakes across the aisle. The stunning blonde air hostess had delivered the meal to him the moment we’d climbed on board, almost as if there was an app to order a midnight snack while travelling to ‘rapist island’.

“I’m the only thing protecting you from them,” I whispered back, careful not to raise my voice. “I suggest you don’t kill me just yet.”

She rolled her eyes. “Says the guy who almost took me against my will. The guy who kidnapped me. The guy who—”

“Who’s doing his very fucking best to stay human.” I folded toward her, pressing my mouth to her ear. “I’m the only friend you have, Ily, so I wouldn’t piss me off if I were you.”

“Friend?” She shoved me away. “You had your fingers inside me when I hadn’t said yes. You were seconds away from raping me. That’s not a friend. That’s an enemy.” Her chin tipped up. “I despise you in a way I’ve never despised anyone. I hate you. I curse you. And one day, I will make you pay.”

I didn’t bother telling her that ‘one day’ was today.

Tonight.

She was already making me pay just by existing.

I’d been prepared to do all kinds of heinous things. Fuck whoever I needed to fuck. Play the part I needed to play to buy myself a ticket to the worst kind of purgatory, but I hadn’t planned on bringing someone down with me.

I figured if I ever earned an invite, I’d screw slaves already broken, biding my time until Q arrived to slaughter the men imprisoning them. I would’ve kept a clear conscience because I’d be just another bastard using a slave already shattered beyond repair.

But that was before.

Before this girl.

Before this terrible, unfortunate girl who made lust slash through my veins and blood turn black with urges.

My cock thickened even as nausea crawled up my throat. The tip of my dick still burned with the slick heat of her.

I’d been so close to thrusting inside.

Another heartbeat and I would’ve been balls deep.

My teeth ached.

I couldn’t stop remembering how good she felt. Imagining how she would’ve screamed as I filled her. How she would’ve fought to get away as I pinned her down and took everything I wanted.

I would’ve lost myself.

I knew that.

I would’ve snapped and splintered and fucking enjoyed it.

I would’ve enjoyed it far too much, and when I finally came inside her, I would’ve become a completely different man.

No, not a man.

A monster.

A monster who would break her body and mind.

Merde, if I touch her...

When I touch her.

Fuck.