Page 107 of Diamond Kisses

For a moment, no one moved.

The guards all froze, shocked that one of them had laid a hand on their employer.

And then…

They moved as one unit.

Well-trained.

Well-disciplined.

They pounced on Victor and pinned him to the ground.

He cried out in agony.

He cursed and spat, turning unhinged with rage.

One of the guards stepped toward me.

I braced myself—

He reached down and helped me stand.

My knees threatened to collapse. The wall offered a much-needed resting stop. I tried to look more composed than I was, but I had nothing left. I was grateful I wasn’t passed out on the goddamn floor.

Blinking back grey spots, I wiped the blood off my lips with the back of my hand and nodded. “Good choice.”

“If you’re lying to us, we’ll kill you ourselves,” the bald guard muttered.

“You fuckingingrates!” Victor bellowed. “Howdareyou do this! How fuckingdare you—”

The dark-skinned guard clamped a hand over Victor’s mouth, silencing his foul language.

“I’m not lying.” I hid my flush.I hope.

Just like I didn’t believe Victor that he’d seen Ily die, I didn’t know for sure if the guards had revolted and joined our side. Enough had. Enough had armed us and helped. But they still outnumbered us. Still could’ve wrangled back control.

All I had was hope.

And it was such a flimsy, fragile weapon.

“Come on.” The guard who’d helped me stand took my elbow and nudged me toward the door. “We’ll go assess the mess out there. Then we’ll know who’s made the right choice or not.”

Staggering where he pushed me, I tried to fight his hold. “Wait. What about him?” I looked at Victor squirming like a demon on the carpet, pinned down by three guards.

“We’ll keep him here until—”

“No.” I shook my head. “He comes with us. I don’t want him out of my sight.”

“He’s not going anywhere. We’ll make sure of it.”

“I’m not willing to risk it.” I balled my hands and shoved the guard off me. “I’ve underestimated him too much. I’m not doing it again.”

“You don’t have a choice. We’re in charge now. You’ll do as we say.”

“No. You’ll do ashesays if he dangles enough temptation in front of you.” Crossing my arms, holding onto the bleeding hole in my side, I sniffed. “Before he tries to bribe you back onto his side, I’ll give you each five hundred thousand euros if you give me a knife and some rope.”

“A knife?” The brown-haired older one scowled. “What for?”

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