Page 132 of Diamond Kisses

Chapter Twenty- Two

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Henri

THERE WERE A FEW MOMENTS in my life that I would always remember—even the ones I’d forgotten, thanks to selective amnesia.

The day my father first came for me.

The day my mother died.

The moment I saw Ily in that nightclub.

And the disbelief when I found her alive.

Limping down the wide-open airy corridor—so different to Victor’s rustic medieval ones—I didn’t speak to Q, and he didn’t speak to me.

He kept me upright and offered his strength while I had none, guiding me through his home.

We passed multiple doors, some closed, some cracked open. The ones partially wide, revealed a few jewels I recognised. Caishen waved as he looked up from a writing desk. Rachel gasped and raced to her threshold as we passed. Her neck looked bare without her collar. Her wrists so fragile without their heavy golden cuffs.

My heart kicked in relief. She’d survived. Her child had survived.

I didn’t know if I was happy she hadn’t lost her baby or sick that a part of Victor would live on.

Nodding at me shyly, she tucked glossy dark hair behind her ear and hugged the terrycloth dressing gown covering her bump. Dashing toward me, she pressed her cheek against my chest and hugged me. “Hi.”

Her embrace hurt.

But I returned it. “Thank you so much for shooting Larry that night. I’m in your debt.”

She shuddered. “I’m just sorry he shot you first.”

I kissed the top of her head. “I’m so glad to see you alive, Rach.”

Snuggling deeper into me, she sighed heavily. “Me too. God, Henri. We thought you were dead.”

Pulling away, I shrugged. “Not yet.”

Q looked at me sideways, studying how Rachel and I drank each other in.

What would he say if I admitted I’d slept with her?

Would he kill me if I told him I’d fired paintball guns right into her unprotected flesh? While she was pregnant?

Shooting a look at Q, she pulled away and licked her lips. Whispering to me, she said, “Come find me when you’re ready. I’ve asked to stay for a bit. At least until…” She trailed off and looked at a door further down the corridor. “You’ll be okay, Henri.”

I frowned but she stepped back into her room and closed the door.

“Friend of yours?” Q asked, urging me back into a walk.

I focused on staying upright despite my heart thumping strangely. “Rachel was Victor’s favourite. We spent most evenings together…before I fell out of favour.”

“You and Ily?”

“We were a foursome.” I winced. “We played a lot of games together.”

“Games?” He raised an eyebrow.

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