“Because she loves you.” Sky yelled, sounding frustrated. She smiled. “Don’t make me keep repeating myself, my lord.”

“You’re right.” A huge load lifted off of him. Even if it took years. He didn’t care. He would win Candy back. He would make it up to her. Torrent moved into a sitting position. His head spun.

His neck hurt. Coal had snapped it, no doubt. His face blossomed with pain, as did his chest. The fire prince had done a number on him. That was for sure. Little shit! He was lucky Torrent hadn’t fought back.

Sky touched the side of his arm lightly. Pain blossomed there also. His flesh was still healing from the burns.

Torrent groaned.

“Lie back down.” Her voice was soothing.

“No! I need to fetch my female,” he growled.

“Coal sends his deepest regrets, he is sorry he did this to you. He publicly acknowledged that you allowed him to win and has already sent a male to fetch Candy. He said that it was the least he could do. He may have mentioned that Candy might feel sorry for you in your current state. It would be wise to allow him to bring her right away.”

The fire prince was lucky Torrent was a forgiving male. “Fine,” he said. Torrent could feel sweat bead on his brow. “Okay.” He fell back. “I’ll have some of that water now.” He needed to try and heal. After the beating he’d received, he probably looked grotesque. He didn’t want to scare Candy. Especially since she couldn’t handle the sight of blood. He needed to look banged up but not hideous.

It was important that he start thinking of ways to win her back. Candy had been right to call him an asshole. Sky and Julie were right on the money as well. Torrent would prove himself worthy. She would forgive him. She had to. He drank some of the water and then closed his eyes. The sooner he healed, the better.

* * *

Her hands were bound at the wrists.

“Your first client is on his way.” Ellis winked at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to change your mind? The good senator was most upset when he heard that you weren’t taking on any new clients after all. He offered more money.” He paused. “More than we’ll get from this pretend rape.”

“It won’t be pretend. I can’t believe you’re doing this.” Tears caused her throat to clog but she refused to let them fall. A guy like Ellis would get a kick out of seeing her upset.

“Believe it, baby. Do you really think I’d just let you walk away?” He walked to the other side of the room. “You’re a damned gold mine, Candy.” He snorted out a laugh. “Even your god given name is a hooker name for god sake.”