Diamond Kisses (The Jewelry Box #4)

The huge bruise on his side glowed a burgundy red beneath the spotlights on the stage. His cock flaccid and far too vulnerable as Masters leaned back and remarked on the delicious dinner being placed in front of them by waitstaff.

Victor chuckled as I found him in the crowd. Sitting at the table closest to the stage, he raised his tumbler of liquor in my direction. “Good evening, Ilyana. I trust you had a relaxing afternoon? I must say, that lingerie certainly shows off your curves.” His nose wrinkled. “Unfortunately, those curves have shrunk since the last time you were in this ballroom but…no matter.”

Passing Rachel a plate delivered by a downcast serving girl, he smirked. “Rachel, on the other hand, is rounding out quite nicely. Don’t you agree?” He stroked her growing belly with a doting look in his blue eyes. “See how well I look after those who please me, sweetling?”

I wanted so much to spit at him. Curse him. Scream at him.

But…with Henri strapped on the pole, I wouldn’t give Victor any reason to snap. If he hurt Henri because I opened my stupid mouth…I’d never forgive myself.

Victor huffed as if annoyed at my silence.

Rachel gave me a tragic look. She opened her lips as if she wanted to say something, but I widened my eyes and shook my head.

Sighing heavily, she dropped her gaze to her food and picked reluctantly at a perfectly cooked chicken breast.

I almost keeled over with starvation. My mouth flooded with saliva. Every cell in my body demanded to be fed.

The discomfort was so crippling, I almost moaned.

Tearing my eyes away, I focused on everything but the Masters tucking into their dinners and the lucky jewels accepting tidbits off their owners’ fingers.

Classical music kept playing.

The night remained sedate and serene.

No one came to torment us. No one tortured Henri.

I glanced at Peter. What’s going on?

I didn’t know if he’d get my silent message, but he shrugged.

I sensed his confusion. I shivered as we both stood there in chains, forming a triangle with Henri at the top, bound on the stage.

For over two hours, we stood there like unseen pets.

No one fed us. No one talked to us.

Victor laughed often, Rachel kept giving us horrified glances, and the only ones who paid any attention to us were the other kneeling jewels. Their matching worry built and built until the sense of anticipation scratched down my spine with poisonous claws.

By the time dessert was served and my stomach had twisted itself into a hundred empty agonising knots, my system threatened to faint from exhaustion.

Victor finished his raspberry crumble and wiped his mouth daintily with his napkin.

Standing and resting his hand on Rachel’s thick dark hair, he said, “Gentlemen. Friends. I’m sure you’re aware there hasn’t been a show tonight.”

“Is Henri starring in a new porno, Vic? Who gets to bugger him first?”

Victor grinned. “Why? Would you pay to pop his cherry, Mark?”

“I’ll pay.” Roland stood up. “I’ll pay to have an hour alone with him. With the proviso I don’t have to give him back breathing.”

“You know, I might take you up on that offer one day, Roland.” Victor smirked.

“Is he fair game, Vic?” a Master I didn’t know piped up. “He’s a jewel, after all.”

“Thank you for giving me an opportunity to explain Henri’s new position, Jon.” Victor bent and kissed Rachel’s forehead before striding from the table and leaping onto the stage.

Henri stiffened.