Page 58 of Diamond Kisses

Butgood God, it came back with a vengeance.

It flooded me.

Frightened me.

And Peter stiffened across the room as he caught my gaze.

I wanted to tell him what Faiza had told me.

I wished I could tell him that the jewels—those incredibly brave jewels who we’d tried and failed to save—might end up saving us…but I couldn’t.

He frowned as waitstaff appeared and cleared away dessert plates smeared with cheesecake crumbs and berry coulis. Soon, we would get our rations. A small offering consisting of leftovers.

“Gentlemen.” Victor stood with a sharp clap of his hands. He shot me a look and shook his head as if he knew my inner thoughts and tasted my quickest flush of faith.

And in a single instant, he murdered all that newfound hope. Stomped over all my optimism and reminded me all over again that this was hell and he was the fucking devil.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed that there hasn’t been a show tonight.” Victor nodded at his guests.

“The entertainment in here is failing, Vic,” someone snickered.

“That better be in jest, Harold.” Victor narrowed his eyes. “But in case it’s not, allow me to deliver tonight’s ‘entertainment’.” Snapping his fingers, he waited as staff fanned out around the room, delivering a box to each Master.

Not another game.

Please, no—

If they shot Henri with paintballs again…

A rumble of intrigue crept around the ballroom as each man opened the box and pulled out a whip.

My heart leapt into my throat.

I glanced at Henri.

He hadn’t moved from Victor’s table. Kneeling beside Rachel who sat in a chair, huddled and hating everything. Her dark blue silk dressing gown gaped over her ample cleavage as she wrapped her arms around herself.

Henri didn’t move. Didn’t look at me. He kept his gaze firmly,safely, on the floor.

“Friends,” Victor preened, fanning his arms and bowing his head like a mad duke. “I’m aware you’ve all become a little testy with the fact that I’ve been busy training my new jewel with methods that are…unavailable to you.”

For God’s sake.

Was therenothingthis man didn’t see?

So hehadseen the Masters’ snide glances and whispers. Had he seen the jewels scurrying about too? Was all of this yet another game to him, waiting to see who would bumble right into his latest sticky trap?

Fear prickled down my spine. Goosebumps erupted across my arms.

Striding toward Henri, Victor ordered, “On the stage, my pet. Quickly now. You wouldn’t want me to put Ily in your place, would you?”

Without a word, Henri climbed to his feet and walked naked up the steps to the pole where he’d hung that first morning.

“Chain him, if you please.” Victor smiled at a guard and looked back at the crowd.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Henri as he obediently raised his cuffed wrists so the guard could attach them to the hook above. Turning him to face the pole, the guard whispered something in his ear before marching back to his place on the edge of the stage.

Henri’s already flayed back rippled with tension.

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