Page 639 of Coal Hearts

I was the luckiest motherfucker in the world because she’d chosen me. The threads of fate had given her to me. I had no idea what this twin flame thing meant or if it even existed, but I did know Ily was special. Ily was mine. And I would do whatever it goddamn took to get her free.

Including being kind to the man who would never have her.

Stopping in the shadows of a walk-in pantry, I made eye contact with all of them.

Rachel blushed and dropped her gaze.

All the sickness, depression, and horror of that night in Victor’s chambers came back. I had no control as I stepped into her and whispered, “I am so, so sorry for what I did.”

She froze. Her lips parted in shock. “I-It’s...fine.”

“It’s not fine.” I balled my hands. “And I don’t expect you to forgive me. But...it happened. I hurt you. And I’m forever in your debt.” I glanced at Mollie. “I’m in both your debts for not ratting me out to Victor about Ky—”

“Ah, the less spoken about that, the better,” Peter interrupted, throwing a look at the camera angled away from us. “Just in case.”

Nodding, I shrugged. “I owe all of you the biggest apology.”

Ily squeezed Mollie’s hand.

Mollie flinched, pain etching her face. I skimmed her body and the skimpy blue lingerie she wore. Bright red handprints painted her belly and thighs.

Roland.

Fury howled. My temper exploded. “I promise I’ll kill him for you. Somehow.”

She gave me a conspiratorial glance. “Definitely not a cop if you’re willing to kill for us.”

“Better than a cop,” Ily whispered, smiling at me softly. “He’s a Mercer.”

My heart skipped.

I practically fucking swooned toward her, drawn in by the leash of her love.

Peter looked at both of us as if his favourite puppy had just died.

The moment stretched until Ily shook herself and glanced behind me.

I turned to look, spying the older woman waving at us with her tea towel.

Releasing Mollie’s hand, Ily caught my eyes. “We have to go. I’ll return to the jewel quarters with Mols and Rach.”

I opened my mouth to stop that idea. She might not be safe wandering around the fortress with Masters high on testosterone, but she held up her hand and proved our thoughts were in sync just like our heartbeats and souls.

“I’ll be safe, I swear. We’ll go straight there. I won’t leave until you come to get me.”

Genuine fear cut through me at the thought of her being so far away.

“I’ll talk to you soon then,” Peter murmured, his eyes flicking to Ily’s. “We need to find a way to catch up properly.” His gaze shot to mine, narrowed and cold. “Maybe you can give her more time with us. We can’t liaise properly if you keep her shackled to your bed.”

“Paavak,” Ily grumbled.

“I know. I know.” Giving me a wary look, Peter stepped into her and wrapped his arms around her. “Just be safe, jaanu.”

Ily gave me a guilty wince all while her arms went around him.

Jaanu?

What the hell did that mean?