Diamond Kisses (The Jewelry Box #4)

I spoke before I even knew what I was doing. “You want to know why I have more power than you?”

He froze.

“It’s because I’m strong enough to love. Wholeheartedly and unconditionally. That’s what makes me special. That’s why you will never win because love beats evil every time. It will always win. It always has. Love is undefeatable.”

“Well, thank you for that helpful lesson, Ilyana.” He smirked. “But I must ask, are you so sure it always wins? That seems like a big word for an emotion that can end as suddenly as it begins.”

I knew he led me into a trap, but I stepped into it anyway. “Always.”

“In that case, let’s test your little theory, shall we?”

My heart stopped as he snapped his fingers and barked at his guards. “Stand him up. If he can’t stand, then drag him.” Stepping away from me, he pointed at the altar. “Bind him in place.”

“Wait, what?” I flushed with ice. “No, don’t. What are you—”

“Time for a teeny experiment.” He grinned as two guards dragged Henri upright.

Henri let out a blood-curdling scream.

Roland gagged. “Eww gross, his shoulder is dislocated.”

“So it is.” Victor marched toward Henri and slapped him on the cheek. “Hold still.” Eyeing up the two guards bracing against Henri’s weight, he spun around to face the Masters. “Ian. You are or, rather, you were a rugby coach before you made it big with your online sports gambling sites. I assume you’ve had to set dislocated joints before on the field?”

Ian stepped forward, his dark skin soaking up the meagre flickering light. “I have.”

“Fix him, then.” Victor waved at Henri, slumped and sweating in the guards’ hold.

“Why?” Ian wrinkled his nose. “Aren’t you just gonna kill him? Who cares if he dies with a dislocation or two?”

“Why do you think you can ask me questions?” Victor bared his teeth. “Do as I say.”

With a huff, Ian stepped toward Henri and grabbed his wrist.

Henri choked on an agony-filled groan.

“Hold him steady,” Ian muttered as he guided Henri’s arm up straight in front of him with no care or kindness.

Henri’s head lolled forward; his knees buckled.

I was glad he passed out again.

At least he wouldn’t feel—

He woke with another scream as Ian yanked his arm forward. The pop of Henri’s shoulder locking back into place made my stomach roil.

But relief filled me too.

Now his joint was back in position his spine looked okay.

Thank God.

“There.” Ian backed up. “Happy now?”

Victor smirked. “Very. Thank you.” Nodding at the guards, he said, “Altar. Do it.”

Henri’s left shoe dragged along the ground as the two guards lugged him toward the stone platform. He’d lost his right shoe and his sock.

Another two guards stepped forward and grabbed his legs. As one, they slung him like a carcass, reminding me of how we’d thrown Kyle over the cliff.