Page 281 of Coal Hearts

Oh God...

“Don’t look at her,” Victor barked.

Henri ripped his gaze back to him. He splayed his hands like a martyr. “If the truth can’t prevent you from killing me, then so be it. At least you know I’m not a cop.” He closed his eyes, seeming perfectly at peace with Victor’s power over his existence.

If he shot him—

God, I’d lose it.

I’ll be all alone.

Have you not been listening?!

You’ve been all alone since the moment he noticed you!

I shook my head, scrambling to stay faithful even after I’d fucked everything up last night.

No...this...this has to be another attempt to stay undercover.

He’s still good. Still trying to save us.

I’d clung to that the entire time I’d been spread over the table.

I’d made a prayer out of hope as not one but two men prepared to rape me.

I couldn’t just let that go.

Couldn’t just stop...hoping.

It was messy and complicated, but...he’s still going to get us out.

After all, he would know the names of others in this sordid underworld.

He would know how to use them to his advantage.

What he did to me last night was just a gigantic mistake...by both of us.

Isn’t it?

But Victor...hesitated.

The way he studied Henri tore apart my hope, one stupid strand at a time.

Chewing on his bottom lip, he threw up his arm for silence as his guests all bickered and gave him orders to murder. “Shut up, all of you.”

Removing the gun, he raised his hand for Henri to stagger to his feet. “You have five minutes.”

Henri stood to his tall height, bowing his chin respectfully. “What do you want to know?”

“All of it.” Pointing at the chair Henri had been sitting in, Victor took his and lowered himself ever so slowly. “Go on, then.”

Sitting down, Henri placed his hands on the table. “Guess I’ll give you the highlights. I had no idea of my origins until a few months ago. I actually tried to kill myself one night when I lost control thanks to too much alcohol.”

Wait...he tried to kill himself?

My heart twisted agonisingly.

“I was sick of fighting the darkness inside me and when I found out about my brother’s existence, I went to him for help.” Henri chuckled blackly. “His idea of help was throwing me to you and seeing if I’d survive.”