Page 663 of Coal Hearts

We needed lots and lots of guns.

And these two bastards are offering them to us...

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I did my best to find that calm centre. I grounded myself. Sucked in a cleansing breath. Willed myself to spot any lies or traps.

Victor could’ve put them up to this.

He might be waiting to entrap me.

But...

What if their offer was real?

What if we had an actual fighting chance at doing this?

Ily broke through my thoughts, whispering to the girls, “Do you swear on the lives of every jewel in here that this is real? That you trust your Masters like I trust mine?”

Abby and Pen looked at each other and nodded. “We swear. You can trust them.”

“In that case...” Looking at me, she shrugged. “Your call.”

I studied the two couples.

I looked deep into their eyes and judged the flickerings of love I saw there.

And I made a decision.

One that I hoped wouldn’t kill us.

“Fine.”

Both men exhaled heavily. “Thank God.”

“On one condition.”

“Anything.” Ben nodded. “We’re not about to mess this up.”

“We don’t talk about this ever again. You don’t talk about this ever again. Tell the guards to leave weapons in as many places as possible and have them inform you of the locations, but that’s it. Do not do a damn thing to make Victor suspect. You’re aware as much as I am how smart and cunning he is.”

“Done.” Stewart balled his hands in Penelope’s hair. “Once the guns are in place, I’ll tell Pen, and she’ll tell the rest.”

“Good.”

“Pleasure doing business with you, gentlemen.” Ben grinned as if a weight had lifted off his shoulders. “And now for the finale.” His grin turned to a grimace, his hips jerked, his shoulders rolled. He faked the throes of an orgasm before tripping away from Abby and tucking himself away.

Without a word, he gave us all a look, snapped his fingers, and vanished into the dark with his jewel.

“Ho ho ho.” Stewart smiled, faking his own release before tapping Penelope on the head and shoving his unspent cock back home. “Let’s hope Santa doesn’t have us on his naughty list this Christmas.”

The night snatched him and his jewel as they disappeared into the maze.

I stood staring after them, hoping like fuck I’d made the right choice.

The sound of my zipper coming down jerked my gaze to Ily still on her knees. “What are you—?”

“You’re still hard.” Her eyes flashed. “And if I have my way, you won’t be faking anything.”

Chapter Thirty-Three