Chapter Seventeen #3
“You told me yourself that you don’t loan her out to just anyone anymore.” Henri wiped his mouth with his hand. “How long has it been since she was with anyone but you?”
Victor paused and actually did some math. Eventually, he said with a trace of annoyance, “Months.”
“And how far along is she?” Henri dropped his stare to Rachel’s sensuously curved belly. She didn’t look pregnant, but that didn’t mean—
“Six weeks or so.”
“So, it’s yours.” Henri crossed his arms. “She’s carrying your child.”
“And I don’t want it,” Victor snapped, tossing Rachel toward him. “So...do something about it.”
Henri caught Rachel and gently pushed her into the chair he’d vacated. Breathing hard, he scrambled for something to say. “Back in your office. The day you made me talk to my brother. Do you remember what you said?”
“Is this your way of trying to get out of your duties, Mercer?”
“Just answer the fucking question,” Henri snarled. “What did you say to me?”
I shot a look between them, remembering the way Victor had softened and looked at Henri with almost wistful eyes. I’d struggled to breathe. Winded from Victor’s backhand and cradled in Henri’s arms...but I remembered.
It’d given me chills.
Filled me with horror.
The thought of a child being raised in this place...good God.
But if it saved Rachel’s life...
“You said you were in need of an heir,” I whispered. “You said that you created this island because you don’t fit in anywhere else. Henri reminded you that sometimes...you still feel that loneliness.”
Henri threw me a look then nodded. “Ily’s right.” Pointing at Rachel, who sat slouched and crying, he snarled, “There’s your goddamn heir, Vic. Your blood. Your kin.”
Victor crossed his arms.
His face remained unreadable as he studied the jewel he’d so callously asked Henri to dispatch.
It took forever.
His decision came with so many terrible consequences: accept his offspring and innocence would be born into hell. Don’t accept his offspring, and Rachel would die, and Henri would be the one to do it.
Tears stung my eyes as I reached for Rachel’s shaking hands.
I squeezed her.
She squeezed me back.
Finally, Victor nodded. “Fine. If she doesn’t miscarry from the beating I gave her, and survives today’s game, then I’m open to discussion.”
My mind raced.
He’d beaten her hard enough to warrant a miscarriage?
What game?
Maybe it’s kinder to end her.
To just free every jewel in this place and be done with it...including me.
A horribly morbid thought filled my head.
Henri could be our executioner.
A black-hooded, axe-wielding executioner, beheading all of us in one long line.
Henri glanced at me. He flinched at whatever he saw in my eyes.
Tearing his stare away, he shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “What game?”
“Oh...didn’t I tell you?” Victor grinned, bright and slightly unhinged.
“I told you the atmosphere in here is unbalanced. Well, I mean to rebalance it. The new jewels will take time to arrive, but I need to eradicate this tension today, so...” He grinned and tapped his nose.
“First, I have a few little housekeeping things to cover, and then Rachel—seeing as her lifespan has just been extended—can take Ily to join the others in preparation.”
Before Henri could speak, he added, “Also, before I forget, I did as you requested. I ordered you a laptop for your writing venture and a small wardrobe for your jewel in appreciation of your fealty. They have already arrived and are in your chambers as we speak.” He bowed his head regally. “I trust that you will be satisfied?”
“Merci beaucoup.” Henri tilted his chin, his wariness growing by the heartbeat. “You’re very generous.”
“Generosity has nothing to do with it. I’m a businessman. And right now, our alliance is beneficial. Let’s keep it that way, shall we?”
“Of course.”
“Which leads me to my next point.” He tugged on the leash, forcing Rachel to stagger out of the chair and trip into him.
Wrapping his arm around her waist, he purred, “I know you have urges, my young friend, and frankly...so do I. But before we get to the dick-wetting part, you must indulge me in playing something I like to call Emerald Bruises.”
Henri stepped a little closer to me, nudging his knee against my shoulder. “And what are the rules of Emerald Bruises?”
“Don’t fret about that right now. I’ll fill you in once our jewels have departed, but I have been remiss in helping you break your Ilyana. I’m hoping today will help bring her into line.”
Prickles coated my skin.
My pulse picked up.
“You know what?” Henri tapped my shoulder, signalling me to stand. “I actually have my own plans for—”
“Plans that can wait.” Victor’s face blackened.
“You both displeased me the night of the treasure hunt. I also didn’t particularly like what I saw on camera in your room afterward.
” His gaze dropped to the bite mark on my neck.
“You might have used her, but there was far too much talking for my taste. And besides, you have apologised. But her? She has not.”
Apologise?
Never.
No way.
Not for anything.
Rachel gave me a worried look as I swooped to my feet. My bikini sparkled silver in the sun; I couldn’t help my hate spilling free. “You’re a bastard.”
“Yes, I am.” He grinned. “And you should remember that.” Ignoring me, he narrowed his eyes on Henri.
“Your jewel is pissing me off, Mercer. She is unruly, stupid, and flouting the rules. Her influence infected Peter with the foolhardy belief that she could offer him a different life. She’s undermined his discipline and turned one of my best jewels against me. ”
Glowering at me, he hissed, “I might not have been able to hear over the rain that night, but I could read your body language. I saw you two talking very intently. I saw Peter refuse you. I saw you push him. And I also saw him finally agree.” His hand shook with barely concealed temper as he ran it over his perfect greying hair.
“He attacked a Master on your behalf. You made him do something completely out of character, and then you attacked another of my esteemed guests because you’re idiotic and reckless.
Needless to say, you both sentenced yourselves to severe punishment. ”
“Fucking hell.” Henri sucked in a breath, grabbing my shoulder with pinching fingers. “What did you do, Ily?”
My heart absolutely shattered, full of panic for my friend.
Three days where I’d been encased in Henri’s room and forbidden from leaving his company all while Peter suffered for my mistakes.
Three days was an eternity.
Shrugging off Henri’s touch, I only had eyes for Victor. Deplorable vile, vile Victor. “What did you do to him?” I wanted to rake my fingernails over his soulless face. “Where the hell is he?”
Victor sighed with utter boredom. “Peter has been reminded of his place. And if Henri does not do the same to you, under my strict tutelage I might add, you will join him. If it were up to me, I would give you a week in the snuffbox before I trusted that you finally saw the error of your ways—stubborn little thing that you are.”
My stomach dropped.
My fault.
Peter had told me not to fight, and what had I done?
I’d been stubborn and stupid and non-thinking, and...someone else has paid my price.
The awful knowledge that I was the cause of Peter’s pain stopped me dead.
Letting Rachel go, Victor stepped into me and grabbed a fistful of my hair. “The things I would do to you. The breaking you require.” He pressed a smacking kiss right over my lips. “Fuck, it would be my absolute pleasure to shatter you.”
Henri snapped a leash to my collar and reeled me back into him with a steady pull. I choked and stumbled to his side. Hugging me with an arm that offered comfort as well as damnation, he said, “She’s mine to teach, Vic. I thought we’d agreed on that.”
“Oui, oui.” Victor exhaled. “You are in charge of her education, but you haven’t been teaching her, and I’m sick of her fucking attitude. I’ve had it with her disruption. You will get her in line, Mercer. Today.”
“I will.” Henri nodded. “You have my word.”
“Oh, I don’t need your word.” Victor smirked. “I’ll see for myself. Now, Rachel darling, please take Ily to get prepared. You’re both running behind.”
“Yes, Sir V.” She bowed with a wince.
Victor unclipped the leash from her collar and stepped back. “By the way, what do you say to Master H?”
Turning to Henri, Rachel bowed even deeper.
“Thank you for showing my Master that I wasn’t trying to trick him into anything.
I-It just happened. And...and I’m incredibly grateful to be carrying my Master’s child.
If that...if that’s what he wants.” She swallowed hard.
“It’s an honour to be the mother of his heir. ”
“Yes, yes, away with you now.” Victor rolled his eyes. “We shall see if you’re still pregnant by the end of the day. Then I suppose we’ll have yet another chat. All I seem to be doing lately is conversing with people. I’m getting rather bored.”
“Yes, Sir V.”
“Henri, unhook your jewel. She’s leaving.”
With flared nostrils, Henri obeyed and reluctantly untethered me.
The horrible sensation of no longer being connected to him, even if it was by a stupid piece of leather, cast me adrift.
My stomach churned.
My heart flurried.
And I held his haunted stare as Rachel took my hand and led me away.