Page 749 of Coal Hearts

If I could slaughter someone just by speaking to them, I would slaughter this bastard for ever linking that name to me. “He’s not a Mercer. He’s fucking dead.”

“Look, I’ve got to go. I’ve been on the line for too long. Just...Henri—”

“Where is he? Tell me so I can—”

“He’s gone too far,” the man whispered. “We can’t stand by and let him continue—”

“What’s he done now? Who’s he hurt? Tell me, and I’ll—”

“Henri mentioned you tracked him by cufflinks.”

“They’re useless. He’s in an untraceable—”

“Check again.”

The line went dead.

Chapter Nine

...............................

Ily

––––––––

“NO. STOP. LEAVE HIM ALONE!”

I screamed as Victor laughed and tossed Henri onto the table exactly like Henri had tossed me the night of the treasure hunt. Crockery went flying. Glass went shattering. Rachel dashed out of the way of falling cutlery, and Victor merely grinned.

Flipping Henri onto his stomach, Victor pinned him down with his fists on his lower back. “Ready, mon ami? Ready to please me?”

Henri struggled. “Get the fuck off me.”

He kicked.

He grabbed a butter knife and tried to stab Victor in the thigh. “Fuck you. Fuck you!”

“Think you’ll find I’m about to fuck you.” Victor cackled. “Isn’t that what you said to Ilyana one night?”

Henri lost it.

He fought, but...he was no match.

Mostly starved, hopelessly beaten, weak, and tortured to the point of insanity, he didn’t stand a chance.

And it’s my fault.

All my fault.

He’d allowed himself to be abused because of me.

Hurt because of me.

Raped because of me.

“Stop it! Please!” I tried to get free from the chain imprisoning me on the wall. I scratched at my awful collar and sold my soul to the devil if only I could take his place. If only I could save him, protect him. “Take me instead!”

“You’re no better than a blow-up doll.” Victor smirked, running his hand over Henri’s bare ass. “He’s going to be so much better.”