Page 837 of Coal Hearts

He stalked to the door and glowered when I didn’t move. “She’ll be fine for ten minutes. Come.”

“We can talk here.”

He glanced at Ily prone like Sleeping Beauty. “She can hear us. And what I have to say is for your ears only.” He snapped his fingers rudely. “Now, Henri. Otherwise, I’ll get Franco to carry you.”

Fresh annoyance flushed through me as I kissed Ily’s knuckles and stood. The room didn’t swim like it used to, but it still took effort to walk. “I’m not going any farther than the corridor.”

“We’re going to the roof. You need some fresh air. You haven’t been outside in weeks.”

“When she wakes, then I’ll do whatever you want. Until then, leave me be.”

He narrowed his eyes, then struck into a fast march. “Follow or be carried. Those are your only choices.”

Ah, for fuck’s sake.

Rachel appeared from her room and padded toward me in jeans and a white jumper. “I’ll sit with her.”

I exhaled. “You’ll come get me if—”

“I’ll scream until you come running.” She pressed her hand on my chest before ducking past me into Ily’s room.

“Perfect. Now come along.” Q stalked up the corridor.

I struggled to keep pace with him.

Every step leading me away from Ily felt wrong, unnatural. My entire fucking soul screeched to go back to her. To not let her out of my sight.

But I’d gotten to know my half-brother over the past couple of weeks.

He cared but...that caring had a limit. And when he wanted something...he fucking got it.

Bastard.

We didn’t speak as he led me up a winding staircase and pushed a wooden door with brass hinges that reminded me too much of the battlements in Joyero. My steps faltered. I turned to go back.

Q cleared his throat. “You take one step, and I’ll drag you up here by your hair.”

My gaze snapped to his. “I’m taller than you. Let’s see how that would go.”

“You weigh as much as an emaciated cat. Take me on, Henri, and you’ll see just how much you should’ve been eating when I told you to.”

“You’re such a pain in my ass.”

“I’m happy to stab that ass if you don’t do what I say.”

“Stab me, and I’ll wring your neck.”

“Hurt me, and my wife will hurt you back.”

I sighed and scrubbed my face. “This is stupid. Juvenile.”

“It is, isn’t it?” He chuckled. “Rather amusing actually.”

“You’re acting as if you’re enjoying this.”

His laughter faded. “Can’t say I ever wanted a brother, but...I’m starting to get used to having you around.”

I stilled. I had no idea what to say to that. “What did you want to speak to me about?”