Page 78 of Coal Hearts

My hands curled around the chair. “You hit her?”

Victor sighed dramatically and yanked the leash, making Ily tip forward with a small groan. “She was being mouthy as usual. I did warn her that my leniency would come to an end. I can’t have her breaking my rules in front of the other jewels. They might get ideas.”

“Ideas?”

“Ideas that they can get away with insubordination.” Pointing at the chair I currently throttled, he said, “Sit, Ward. Eat. We have much to discuss.” Not waiting for me to obey, he looked at the audience ringing us. “My treasured friends, please...if you will. Allow me some time to welcome our latest guest and present him with his jewel. Once he has established dominance, I will have him parade her for your entertainment.”

Ily hissed something.

I stiffened as Victor glowered at her. “Say something, sweetling?”

Her shoulders swooped back, pride jutting her breasts out even as self-preservation tried to curl in and hide.

Whatever she’d said, she didn’t repeat.

And a sick part of me was disappointed.

She was courageous and venom-tongued. I expected she’d rebel louder and longer than she had. Had I read her wrong? Where was her fight that fed me? Where was the bold disregard to her safety? Surely a simple slap hadn’t tamed her that quickly?

If it has, you should thank your lucky stars.

If she stayed meek and docile, I wouldn’t have to fight my true nature.

I could remember why I was here and do my best to protect her instead of war against the very real, very sick need to break her.

Exhaling slowly, I schooled my rabid heart rate. Silently, I pulled out the chair and sat.

“Is that everything for now, Sir V?”

My eyes snapped to the male slave’s face. Peter, I believed. His skin said he hailed from exotic lands, but his voice echoed with English cadence.

“Yes, yes, you presented her well,” Victor muttered. “I’m assuming she’s clean? Inside and out? Ready to fulfil her duties?”

“She is disease-free and received contraception, Sir V. I personally oversaw her bathing and preparation, as requested.” Peter tipped his chin, his face carefully unreadable. “She is ready to do whatever you wish her to do.”

“Excellent.” Shoving the leather leash into my hand, he smiled. “You may go then. I believe Master U has just woken up and requested your personal services. Go find him and get on your knees.”

“Yes, Sir V.” Peter bowed, kept his eyes down, and left the patio, heading toward the castle.

I twisted the leash in my hands, highly aware I could jerk Ily toward me with a single yank. The symbolism of ownership did its best to scramble my soul.

I tried to catch her eyes, to see that fight within her, but she kept her gaze locked on her knees. Her breathing heavy and hard, bristling with anger she couldn’t hide.

Stroking my thumb over the leather cord connecting us, I asked, “Why does he obey without a single argument?” I leaned back in my chair to avoid the sudden flurry of waitstaff as plates full of rock melon, strawberries, muffins, and ice-sweating cheese were placed in front of me.

Victor waited until the small banquet had been delivered before pulling out a remote similar to the one he used to scramble Ily’s cellphone back at the club.

My mind shot to my birdcage cufflinks. I’d left them on my bedside table, unable to tell if the signal had slipped through Victor’s technology and alerted Q to this monster’s lair.

“He obeys because he knows what happens if he doesn’t.” Victor passed me the remote. “This little device is all you need.”

I accepted it with a shrug. “Looks innocent enough.”

“Press it.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why? What does it do?”

“You’ll find out. Press it.” He grinned and grabbed a piece of cheese. Biting off the end, he smiled. “You wanted to come here, and I’ve let you. You wanted to know how to be free, and I’m about to show you. Press it.”