Page 154 of Diamond Kisses

“We can get to that. But first…I need your help.”

“My help?”

“May I?” The man looked at my parents. “Can I talk to Ily privately?”

“But she just woke up.” Mum wrung her hands. “Surely, you can—”

“It can’t wait.” The man who I assumed was Henri’s brother crossed his arms. “It might already be too late.”

“Tiger and I will be in our room.” Krish stood and scooped the bunny into his arms, careful to cradle the bottom-heavy creature closely. “See you soon?” He glanced my way, a flicker of fear in his eyes.

I nodded. “Definitely. I want to hear everything you’ve been up to.”

With a short nod, Krish walked toward the door. “Mama, Papaji, leave her with the man with the black heart. His panic is too noisy.”

Henri’s brother shot him another wary look before glowering at my parents until they followed Krish. “We’ll be just outside,” Mum said. “We won’t be far.”

“Okay.” I blew them a kiss, my arm slightly sluggish. “We won’t be long.”

Only once the door shut behind them did the man turn his full attention on me. I stiffened despite myself. His pale green eyes were so aggressive compared to Krish, his temper creeping below the surface of his skin.

He reminded me of Henri so much.

Henri the Master.

Henri frombefore.

Raising my chin, I said, “I’m assuming you’re Q?”

“I am.” He nodded. “And I’m assuming you’re in love with my brother? That he didn’t lie about that?”

“You spoke to him?” My gaze shot to the door. “He’s here? Why isn’t he—”

“Hewashere. He hasn’t left your side, but…he witnessed you die last night. He drove away just as your heart started beating again.”

“Drove away?” My nose wrinkled. “Drove away where?”

He sighed and paced the room. “To hunt.”

“Hunt?”

Spinning to face me, he snapped, “I don’t have time to explain. I need your help. Before he does something stupid.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

………………………….

Henri

IT TRULY WAS AMAZING WHAT you could do when you were no longer afraid of death. When you had nothing to lose. When you just didn’tcare.

Life parted like a miraculous sea for me.

Death laid out a red carpet for me to tread.

Destiny led me by the hand and delivered me exactly where I belonged.

Any love I’d ever had. Any hope or yearning or faith, all hardened until I was nothing more than coal.

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