Diamond Kisses (The Jewelry Box #4)

We wouldn’t.

We could never have won.

Victor had guns, we didn’t.

Victor had manpower, we had so few.

It was for the best they’d stayed quiet.

Victor hadn’t called them out—despite his disgust with them—so hopefully, they truly were free from his suspicion.

And as long as they were free…perhaps it’s not entirely over.

“You have a choice, my friend. One final, tiny choice. I will not offer it again. This is your last chance.”

“Spit it out…” Henri blanched as if he’d throw up. “Say it.”

“If you do this, I will forgive your every transgression—within reason. You will be allowed to heal before we discuss your future here. Prove to me that you’re mine and you won’t die today.” He sighed heavily. “Regardless of what you think of me, while playing my little game with you, I found I genuinely enjoyed sharing my hobbies and enterprises. I liked our evenings together. And I find myself rather reluctant to give that up.” Lowering his voice, he finished, “You aren’t my enemy, Henri, but you are under her spell. I truly am doing what is best for you, even if you cannot see it. You are meant for this life. You are meant to be one of us. If you stay awake long enough to facet her, gut her, and chop her into tiny pieces, then I promise you, the hold she has over you will be gone. You’ll be free. You’ll be happy. And all of this can go away.”

Shifting on the table, Henri looked at me.

My heart seized as our connection bridged the gap between us.

I will always love you. He half smiled.

I cried silently and nodded. We’ll find each other again.

Victor cocked his chin at Larry. “Bring her here.”

I cried out as Larry kicked my leg and pushed me roughly toward the altar. I scratched at his wrists where he held my hair. I tried to escape. But it was no use.

Peter stayed silent as Larry tossed me on Henri.

The moment our skin touched.

The second we were close.

Everything I felt for him overflowed.

I felt so honoured to have found him.

So lucky to have been his.

Even for a little while.

I hugged him.

I squeezed him.

“I love you,” I whispered in his ear. “No matter what. Always. Forever. I—”

“Get the fuck up.” Victor yanked me off him and grabbed my nape. My white dress fluttered around me, blood stained and torn. Pinching the delicate column of my neck above my collar, he squeezed so hard my ears crackled and a headache instantly throbbed.

“Let her go,” Henri growled, finding strength to sit up.

It cost him everything.

His eyes fogged with creeping death and pain.