Diamond Kisses (The Jewelry Box #4)

Larry stood close by, his eyes glowing with filth. “Seems he lives.”

“Seems so,” Victor said quietly.

Roland groaned. “Just kill him and be done with it, Vic.” He planted a pudgy hand on Peter’s head, making both of us twitch with hate. “I want to get to the Kiss. Henri’s a traitor, just like he was when he first arrived. Get rid of him so we can have the fun you promised.”

Peter gave me a tragic look. His left eye black and swollen. A red cut striping his bottom lip. His collar glimmered with red specks, and his arms were covered in contusions.

I probably looked the same.

But our injuries were nothing compared to Henri’s.

“Perhaps we should just wrap up this evening and return to The Great Hall?” Stewart said, wrenching my gaze to his. He’d torn off his mask, as had most of the Masters. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’d rather be somewhere warm with a jewel to fuck.”

I struggled to remember the pact we’d all made in the maze.

How he and Ben were on our side.

They hadn’t lifted a finger in our defence.

Either they realised the odds weren’t in our favour or they’d torn up their promises the moment Victor brought us down here.

Throwing Stewart a pissed-off look, Victor scowled. “Always thinking with your dick, Stewart. I have a good mind to revoke your exclusive access to Penelope. You’re getting as pussy-whipped as Henri.”

“Pussy-whipped?” Ben laughed. It sounded genuine, but his eyes flickered warily to his friend and business partner. “Stewart is many things, Vic, but whipped by a woman is not one of them.”

“You know what?” Victor dropped his gentile mask and revealed the absolute monster within. “I am sick to fucking death of people lying to me. Do you think I’m a complete fool? Do you think I’m not aware of how you feel about your jewels? How the games you play with Penelope and Abigail are a fucking joke? Do you think I don’t hear you ask for consent before you whip them?” He shook his head. “You act as if you’re in a relationship with them instead of being their motherfucking Master, and it’s pissing me the fuck off!”

Victor’s tirade bounced off the cave walls.

A few Masters stepped back warily in case they were next in the firing line.

Stewart cleared his throat. “We met you through our dark-web company, Vic. We’re the reason you’re so protected with your technology scramblers that no civilian can buy. You know our background. You know—”

“That you made your wealth being digital warmongers? That you’re the best hackers I’ve ever come across? Yes, I know.” He chuckled. “I also know you hide your wealth in a company that prides itself on philanthropic endeavours and building shelters for women and children. A company that’s public! A company funded by the very underbelly you claim to protect your clients from.” Victor sneered. “I’ve always found you two amusing. It’s why I allowed you to have a membership. But that amusement is swiftly fading.” He tipped his nose. “You’re both getting soft, so don’t think for a fucking moment that I don’t know every single thing that you do. Stop treating me like a fool, both of you.” His eyes scanned everyone. “All of you.” His gaze landed on me. “Especially you.”

His entire face blackened. “I’m sick of all the two-faced fucking liars in this place.” Pointing at me, he laughed. “In fact, you’re the only one who’s never lied to me. You’ve been upfront about your hate for me, even while pretending submission.” Stalking toward me, Victor bent and grabbed me beneath my arms.

I gasped as he hauled me to my feet.

Peter tried to keep hold of me, but Victor merely kicked him in the chest and sent him sprawling. “Tell me, Ilyana, did you truly think you could beat me? That you could ruin my life’s work? You speak too freely and trust too blindly. I know every detail of your planned insurrection. I know you used my kitchens as your little meeting room to discuss how to undermine me. I know you’ve been building little bombs. Bombs that have been gathered and destroyed, by the way. I also know Peter would never have gone along with your stupid plan if he wasn’t in love with you himself.”

Sneering at Peter restrained in Larry’s hold, Victor laughed in my face. “I don’t see the allure, I truly don’t. How did you manage to convince Henri—a man born into this life—to turn his back on his true nature? How did you undermine Peter’s obedience to me? What the fuck is so special about you, huh?” He scanned me from head to toe where I stood lock-kneed before him. He shook me, then let me go and wiped his hands on his trousers. “Tell me that, and perhaps I won’t kill you tonight.”

I wanted to spit in his face, but all I could see was Henri as he passed in and out of consciousness. He wasn’t coherent enough to speak, his eyes hazy with confusion.

God, what if they’d kicked him so hard, his mind was broken as well as his body?

I wouldn’t be able to stand it.

To have Henri alive but brain-dead.

To have him exist but not remember me…

Shuddering with terror, I clamped my lips together and refused to speak to Victor.

I had nothing to say.

“Fine.” Victor nodded as if I’d just confirmed everything he thought of me. “You’re the true rot here, Ilyana. And what must happen to rot?” He leaned so close, his wine-rancid breath gushed over my face. “We cut it out.”