Page 688 of Coal Hearts

I didn’t know if his reputation of killing or his title of in-house exterminator gave him clout, but a few Masters stepped out of his way, letting him jump the queue.

Once the shuffling and positioning had finished, I counted how many men I’d have to endure before Henri touched me.

One, two, three, four, five...

God.

Five men.

Five touches, five licks, five...whatever they wanted.

My heart flurried right out of my chest.

All the wetness Henri had conjured just by existing slowly dried and disappeared.

Peter brushed the back of his hand against mine. “Hey, it’s okay. I’ve got you, alright?”

I choked and fought tears. “Sorry, I—”

“I know the thought of another touching you is probably twisting you up, but...I’m before you in the line-up. I’m rock fucking hard already. I won’t take much.” He sniffed. “Especially standing next to you.”

I shot him a wide-eyed look.

He didn’t drop his gaze. “God, Ily...if you let me stare at you while they do whatever they’re gonna do...I promise I’ll come first, and the rest of you will be free.”

“But then the Master will hurt you. He’ll win—”

“With how desperate I am to come? I don’t really care at this point.” He sighed. “Just...be here with me, okay?”

“What if the Masters don’t pick you? What if they go straight to me or—”

“The rules state they have to touch each jewel.”

Wait, what?

My eyes flew to Henri.

It was a Rachel situation all over again.

Not only did he have to watch me be touched but he’d also have to do the touching...

I shook my head, catching Peter’s dark, soulful stare. “So Henri will—”

“Have to touch me?” He half smiled. “Yep.”

“But—”

“I have four chances before it’s his turn. I know Travis is good with his hand. If he rubs me, I’ll probably be able to—” He rolled his shoulders, dropping his voice to a barely-there whisper just as a Master I thought was called Branson stepped toward the first jewel. “If you want to avoid this whole game, jaanu...all it will take is for you to say three little words in my ear and...” He sniffed and couldn’t look at me.

My forehead furrowed as he flicked me a glance full of embarrassed shame.

“Shit.” He sighed. “I didn’t mean to say that. I sound as manipulative as they are.” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “Ignore me. You don’t have to. I’ll...yeah. Forget I said anything.”

Shoving his shoulders back, Peter didn’t look at me again.

But I looked at him.

I couldn’t take my eyes off him even as Branson slowly made his way down the line of six jewels before us. Six pretty girls who all stood trembling with their fists balled and collars gleaming.