Page 394 of Coal Hearts

To tell her that her agony would stop...one day.

Somehow.

For all my complicated desire for Henri, I hadn’t forgotten my promise.

Or my determination to get the fuck out of here.

“I have a proposition for you.” Victor smiled as he tucked raven locks behind Rachel’s ear. She gasped and went to kneel, but he clucked his tongue. “No, no, stay standing, sweetling.” With a doting caress on her cheek, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a leather leash. Clipping it onto her collar, he looked at Henri. “I would so hate to have to punish you, Henri...after everything we’ve gone through together.”

Henri stiffened. “Punish me?”

“You did me a favour by ending Daxton and his snitching. And I forgive you for Roger. I never really liked him. With your violent skills, I feel comfortable that Joyero will be safe if and when I do leave on business—as long as you’re fighting on the right side.”

“Of course,” Henri muttered. “I apologise for my behaviour, and you know I’m on your side. I’ve proven that—”

“You have, and I appreciate it. I also appreciate this new skillset of yours. You see...I catalogue all my guest’s strengths and weaknesses, and you’ve turned out to be a gift that keeps on giving. If a time comes when I need your ruthless abilities, you better be prepared to aid me.”

“Aid you how?” His face filled with shadowy wariness.

“Kill.” Victor laughed. “What else? Did you think your money would ensure you didn’t have to work to stay here?” He clucked his tongue. “Silly boy.”

Henri didn’t say anything for a moment. “Who...who do you expect me to kill?”

“Well...” His eyes flickered to Rachel. “It’s not who but how many, but to start with...you could aid me in dispatching this one. I don’t really care how you do it. Just that it’s done.”

“Wait, what?” Henri staggered back. “You want me to kill your jewel? Have you lost your fucking mind? I thought she was your favourite.”

“She was. And I wish it didn’t have to come down to this, but she disappointed me and needs to be punished.”

Henri choked. “Punishment isn’t usually fucking murder, Vic.”

“The retaliation must match the level of rebellion.”

“What rebellion?”

Victor ran a hand through his hair. “She’s pregnant.”

My heart stopped.

A gush of sickness twisted my stomach.

Oh God.

No...

“What do you mean...she’s pregnant?” Henri went fatally still. His grey eyes landed on bruised, shaking Rachel. “H-How?”

“The usual way, I suspect.” Victor sniffed as if she was dirt on his shoe. “She did it deliberately, the little witch.” His face turned black. “Probably thought she could use me to elevate her position. Dr Belford assures me her contraception was up to date, so—”

“It’s not one hundred percent foolproof, you prick,” I hissed, unable to stop myself. “Are you that fucking diabolical that you’d kill your own child?”

Victor glowered at me. “It’s not mine.”

“You told me yourself that you don’t loan her out to just anyone anymore.” Henri wiped his mouth with his hand. “How long has it been since she was with anyone but you?”

Victor paused and actually did some math. Eventually, he said with a trace of annoyance, “Months.”

“And how far along is she?” Henri dropped his stare to Rachel’s sensuously curved belly. She didn’t look pregnant, but that didn’t mean—