Page 287 of Coal Hearts

I clenched my teeth and didn’t reply.

Goosebumps scattered as he pressed a line of the softest kisses across the bridge of my nose to my other cheek. He moaned as he inhaled me. “It means that you belong to me. You will bow for me. Open for me. Moan and bleed for me. I will not spare you. I will take everything you have, and it will be my greatest fucking pleasure to rule you. Don’t go looking for the sniffling fool who brought you here. Henri Ward is dead, which means I should probably introduce myself. My true self. The Master you now belong to.”

Wrapping his fist in my hair, he pushed me slowly but firmly to my knees.

Our audience watched it all.

I winced as his fingers tightened in my strands.

And I wished the earth would break apart and whisk me away as he said, “My name is Henri fucking Mercer, and you, little nightmare, are mine. Body, mind, and soul.”

Chapter Eight

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

Henri

––––––––

MY MIND SWAM WITH POWER.

My cock swelled.

The temptation to order her onto all fours grew by the moment.

What’s stopping me?

I’d unshackled myself from normal society. I now lived in a Garden of Eden where beasts ate forbidden fruit and dined on feminine flesh.

Swallowing hard, my hand strayed to my jeans button—

“Fuck, you’re an eager one now you’ve slipped the noose. Temporarily, I might add.” Victor’s voice cut through the lustful buzzing in my blood. “Keep your cock where it is. We still have a matter of identity confirmation and payment before she’s yours again, Mercer.”

I whirled around, Ily’s thick, black hair still in my fist.

The animal inside me prowled too close to the surface.

I’d already hit Roland for touching what was mine.

I prepared to hit Victor for denying me my rights.

Victor cocked his head, daring me to do something very ill-advised.

I blinked a few times to rid the shadows curling over my stare. When I could talk like a man again, I snapped, “In that case, I wish to make a bargain.”

“A bargain?” Victor snickered. “I just let you live, you ungrateful bastard. I think—”

“I’ll give you everything Q gave me. I won’t begrudge a single euro...all I’m asking for is full ownership of Ily and your agreement no one else will touch her.”

Ily went stiff by my feet.

A few jewels gasped. Guests all voiced their very loud, very annoying opinions.

Slipping his hands into his slacks, Victor cocked his head. “I’m aware my cameras could have better audio. That you almost got away with your little act if it wasn’t for the moments when your conscience almost broke you. Yesterday, your desire to own her came from the idea you could keep her safe...so why should I believe this request is any different?”

Pulling Ily to her feet, I tightened my fingers in her hair. “She was my first. The first to set me free.” My voice turned hoarse with possession. “And honestly? The thought of anyone else tasting what is mine, using what is mine, hurting what is mine? Well...” I shrugged. “Let’s just say it makes me fucking murderous.”

For a long time, Victor just studied me. Then he completely changed the subject. “Before we go up to my office, there’s the simple matter of discipline.”