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Henri couldn’t hide his temper this time. “You’re saying you’ve gone from a strict no-children policy to suddenly wanting to—”
“Breed my gems like livestock to pad my retirement?” Victor laughed loudly. “Yes, I’m contemplating it. Of course, my guests wouldn’t be open to fucking anything but perfection. However, I’m sure they could be encouraged to impregnate a few. When those chosen jewels get too weathered to be pleasurable, and their bodies have popped out one or two bank deposits, then they’ll be dispatched, and I’ll earn more income with their remains on the black market.” He scratched his jaw. “It really is a smart business decision if you think about it. After all, I’m not getting any younger, and I would really like to buy another island or possibly one of those doomsday fancy bunkers. All the billionaires are building them. Of course, you’d be welcome. We’re family now, you and I.”
A flash of Henri’s loathing appeared. “Family wouldn’t ask each other to sell their own flesh and blood, Vic.”
“Meh. Each family has their own dynamics. Humans are nasty creatures, especially to their loved ones.” He smiled slyly. “You should know. Look at what your brother did to you.”
Shifting to the edge of the couch, Henri bared his teeth. “I’m telling you now, if you think I’d happily hand over a son or daughter, then we’re going to have a big fucking problem. To even suggest such a thing hints you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”
He just smiled. “So you’re not open to knocking Ily up?”
Henri didn’t look in my direction. “She said she’d jump off the roof if I ever got her close to being pregnant, so no, I’m not. I like her alive. I like her in my bed. And if it’s all the same to you, I just want to live a simple life of fucking, writing, reading, and eating—probably in that order. I have no intention of passing on what I am to another or having a fucking kid running underfoot.”
Victor laughed again. “You really are a hoot. You might change your mind one day.”
Balling his hands, Henri didn’t shut himself down as he snarled, “Do whatever you want, Vic. I can’t and won’t stop you. But I remind you that I bought Il—I mean, I bought my little nightmare, fair and fucking square. She’s mine. She isn’t some breeding mare for whatever sideline venture you start. Got it?”
Holding up his hands, Victor snickered. “Heard loud and clear.” Dropping his arms, he curled his fingers into Rachel’s hair. “But you know…if you don’t have a child, your bloodline will end with you. The Mercer line will die out, which would be such a pity.”
Rachel pursed her lips as we shared a look.
Tension crackled in the room.
Henri sat straight, his motions deliberately slow. “That’s wrong. You know my brother has a son. You heard on the phone, same as me.”
“Oh yes, I heard. Lino. It’s true, but…it won’t be for long.”
My heart skipped a beat.
No…
I didn’t even know these people, but the thought of Victor going after them. Going after Henri’s nephew.
God, I’m going to be sick.
When Henri didn’t reply, Victor grinned. “Your brother managed to keep that piece of information quiet. He knew it would paint the biggest target on his back.” His eyes glinted. “At least Q won’t be an issue for you soon.”
Henri stopped breathing. His voice came out like dry ice. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I used his ultimate weakness against him. I heard his wife was stolen early on in their relationship, and it almost destroyed him.” His smile was utterly inhuman. “So...I went after his child.”
The plate of untouched food slid off my lap and tumbled all over the white carpet.
Victor sniffed with annoyance. “God’s sake, clean that up. If that carpet stains, I’ll skin you to replace it.”
My pulse roared in my ears.
I couldn’t move.
“Now, Ilyana!” Victor roared, bypassing my shock and electrifying my limbs.
Darting to my feet, I charged into the marble-tiled bathroom, grabbed an armful of towels, dumped one into the sink to soak with water, then raced back to the mess on the floor.
Henri scooped up the food and placed the plate on the coffee table. Without a word, he wiped his hands on the wet towel and then sat back on the couch.
His entire system had shut down.
No energy bled through.
