Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
“Your overseer?” Henri forced himself to relax again but his energy tangled and snarled. “I mean, I inspected a few of your processes.” He flicked me a look. “And I spoke to a few staff. I also visited your orchards and maintenance areas of your castle. I’m impressed with how well it’s all run.”
“Merci.” Victor grinned. “I appreciate your acknowledgement of the time and effort that goes into running a place such as this. But my apologies.” Chewing another strip of steak, he chuckled. “I thought you might be ready to hear the rest of my business endeavours, but perhaps it’s a tad too soon. Don’t worry, Henri, I won’t expect you to cut out the organs of those I request you to exterminate. I have a man who carefully does that for me. For now…let’s just enjoy our meal and return to other subjects, yes?”
Henri tossed back his entire glass of alcohol before raking a hand through his hair and nodding. “Sure.”
Finishing his meal in contented silence, Victor passed a few morsels to Rachel before reaching for his glass and sighing. Watching her closely as she ate the food he’d given her, Victor leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “It pleases me to see you eating so well, my pet. I’ll ensure you receive three meals a day while carrying my child so my son is born as healthy as can be.”
Licking her lips and lowering her eyelashes, Rachel played a far better slave than I ever could. “Thank you so much, Sir V. Your kindness is much appreciated.”
“Good girl.” Scratching his bare belly, Victor yawned. “Tell me, Henri. Have you ever had the urge to propagate?”
Henri flicked me a horrified look before his face shut down. He shrugged. “Never really crossed my mind.”
“You could knock up your precious jewel. Between the two of you, you’d create a stunning child. It could sell for far more than a measly fifty grand, I’m sure.”
I swayed.
Dark spots danced in my vision.
He couldn’t be serious.
He was a monster, but this? No one could be this extreme. My mind literally couldn’t accept it. Couldn’t fathom that men like him existed. Men who clapped their hands at the thought of selling children.
Our children.
Men who saw nothing wrong with cutting out organs or making a profit from things that ought to be untouchable.
Henri couldn’t hide his temper this time. “You’re saying you’ve gone from a strict no-children policy to suddenly wanting to—”
“Breed my gems like livestock to pad my retirement?” Victor laughed loudly. “Yes, I’m contemplating it. Of course, my guests wouldn’t be open to fucking anything but perfection. However, I’m sure they could be encouraged to impregnate a few. When those chosen jewels get too weathered to be pleasurable, and their bodies have popped out one or two bank deposits, then they’ll be dispatched, and I’ll earn more income with their remains on the black market.” He scratched his jaw. “It really is a smart business decision if you think about it. After all, I’m not getting any younger, and I would really like to buy another island or possibly one of those doomsday fancy bunkers. All the billionaires are building them. Of course, you’d be welcome. We’re family now, you and I.”
A flash of Henri’s loathing appeared. “Family wouldn’t ask each other to sell their own flesh and blood, Vic.”
“Meh. Each family has their own dynamics. Humans are nasty creatures, especially to their loved ones.” He smiled slyly. “You should know. Look at what your brother did to you.”
Shifting to the edge of the couch, Henri bared his teeth. “I’m telling you now, if you think I’d happily hand over a son or daughter, then we’re going to have a big fucking problem. To even suggest such a thing hints you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”
He just smiled. “So you’re not open to knocking Ily up?”
Henri didn’t look in my direction. “She said she’d jump off the roof if I ever got her close to being pregnant, so no, I’m not. I like her alive. I like her in my bed. And if it’s all the same to you, I just want to live a simple life of fucking, writing, reading, and eating—probably in that order. I have no intention of passing on what I am to another or having a fucking kid running underfoot.”
Victor laughed again. “You really are a hoot. You might change your mind one day.”
Balling his hands, Henri didn’t shut himself down as he snarled, “Do whatever you want, Vic. I can’t and won’t stop you. But I remind you that I bought Il—I mean, I bought my little nightmare, fair and fucking square. She’s mine. She isn’t some breeding mare for whatever sideline venture you start. Got it?”
Holding up his hands, Victor snickered. “Heard loud and clear.” Dropping his arms, he curled his fingers into Rachel’s hair. “But you know…if you don’t have a child, your bloodline will end with you. The Mercer line will die out, which would be such a pity.”