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My stomach turned inside out.
My lungs stopped working.
But to Henri’s credit, he didn’t stumble. Didn’t give any sign of being ruffled by Victor’s appearance or his suave suggestions stinking of violence. “I told you I’m an insomniac. I’ve had my fun tormenting her in my room, and now I’m bored. I’m looking for somewhere I can really let loose.” He smirked. “I did mention I’d like to check out the dungeons—”
“Ah yes, the dungeons.” Victor clasped his fingers together. “You’re aware dungeons are typically in the basement levels, not roof tops, yes?”
Henri chuckled. “I am aware, and I’m heading there later. For now, I wanted to fuck her as the sun came up. I’m sure her skin will glow so nicely in the dawn while I mark it. I figured you’d have another terrace up here. Somewhere I can string her up and—”
“Whip her? Flog her? Cut her?” Victor cocked his head. “What do you plan on doing, Henri? I must ask and you must tell me the truth because I’m getting a little tired of you telling me one thing and then doing another.”
Frost replaced my bones.
I stared at the flagstones.
I didn’t have the courage to watch. If Victor drew a gun from his other pocket, I didn’t want to see the bullet coming.
Peter inched closer to me, pressing himself against the wall and grazing his fingers over my other shoulder.
Henri and Victor didn’t notice, too absorbed in their challenge to see.
Sucking in a heavy breath, Henri growled, “I don’t like your insinuation.”
“And I don’t like liars.” Swooping toward him, Victor patted Henri’s cheek with far too much threat. “I know who you are inside, Ward. I wouldn’t have let you get this far if I didn’t. But you’re still fighting it. Still. And frankly, I’m the one who’s bored. So…” Wrapping his arm around Henri’s shoulders, he tugged him away from me and guided him down the corridor. “You have one last chance, mon ami.”
Henri walked stiffly beneath Victor’s embrace, but his voice was as smooth as black silk. “To prove what exactly?”
“That you have the guts to stop fighting your true self. There’s no room for wannabes in my home. No room for fakers in my Joyero. You paid me a lot of money today and that’s the only reason I’m giving you yet another concession. But my leniency ends right now.”
Pushing Henri ahead, Victor spun to face me.
I remained kneeling. Peter didn’t take his hand off my shoulder, defiant or perhaps just using me as a crutch.
Victor ran his eyes over both of us, sly and wicked. “Ily, my precious gem, that t-shirt does nothing for you. Please stand, remove it, and follow your Master. Peter…” He scratched his jaw. “Actually, you can come too. I might need your services.”
“Yes, Sir V.” Peter bent in a low bow, almost crashing into the wall as his head swam.
I shot to my feet, ripped off my borrowed t-shirt, then wrapped an arm around him.
His skin burned hot. Sticky with sweat even in the cold castle.
Victor didn’t tell me to release him, and Henri wisely kept his mouth shut.
“Well, this evening just took an interesting twist. Here I was doing some last-minute paperwork and end up with a new game to play.” With a pleased little chuckle, Victor clapped his hands and announced, “Follow me please.” Striding off into the barely-illuminated dark, he didn’t turn to see if we followed.
With an unreadable look in my direction, Henri exhaled heavily and strode to match Victor’s pace while Peter limped forward, pulling me with him.
“Lean on me,” I whispered, hugging him closer. He might be taller than me, but with how lean he was, he probably didn’t weigh much more. I would gladly carry him if that was what it took to get him to safety.
Just hold on, Peter.
Tomorrow…hopefully tomorrow you’ll be free.
Giving me a weary smile, he slung his arm over my shoulder and allowed me to brace him. He winced as his cut skin stuck to mine through my negligee, no doubt stinging like hell.
I wanted to ask him if he was okay, but really, what a useless question.
I already knew the answer and couldn’t do anything about it.
