Page 27 of Coal Hearts

Before I kill you.

I ran a hand over my mouth, my mind racing at the implications. Victor would be pissed, but I would likely live another day.

She would be free. And I wouldn’t be permitted to join The Jewelry Box.

I’d fail on my brother’s task and have nowhere else to go. I’d have to keep living my miserable existence fighting to stay human and kiss goodbye to ever belonging to someone.

But at least I will have protected her.

“Go, Ily. I changed my mind.” I backed away, ready to vanish into the crowd.

“Miss?” The bouncer sniffed, crossing his arms. “Is this guy bothering you?”

Her sunshine eyes skated to him; I instantly felt the loss of her attention. In that split second of her looking away, I felt adrift. Afloat. Lost.

How?

How had she anchored me so quickly?

What the hell was it about this girl that made my rancid heart howl for her to look at me again?

Her eyes flicked to mine as if summoned by my silent command.

The crackle of chemistry between us shot like an arrow into my chest.

Merde.

I’m fucked.

I’m—

“I...” She frowned and shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know if he’s bothering you?” The bouncer scowled. “But you screamed.”

“I did.” She nodded, frowning at me. “But...he let me go.”

How the fuck did I have the strength to do that?

I wanted to snatch her into my arms again. Tie her to me. Chain her so she could never take up my offer to run.

Gritting my teeth, fighting that fucking beast inside me, I took another step away. “We had a misunderstanding. She’s leaving. I made a mistake.” I swallowed hard, fighting, breaking, wanting. “Go, Ily. I won’t tell you again. Get away from me.”

The bouncer looked between us and rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” Pointing at me, he snapped, “She stays. You go.”

I clenched my teeth.

If she stayed in this club, she wasn’t safe. Victor could steal her.

She needs to get far, far away.

“She can’t stay.” I glowered. “She needs to—”

“A million?” Erasing the distance between us, she whispered, “A million to see where the night takes us?”

I groaned under my breath.

My skin sparked with her closeness.