Page 173 of Diamond Kisses

I waited to be shot.

I begged them to take the chance.

When nothing tore into me, I frowned in disappointment.

Walking to your own funeral was easy when you were ready to die, but it still took energy to fight against the stupid animal inside howling to stay alive.

Fisting a revolver and the grenade, I marched right up to the house.

Fate once again cloaked me in protection, keeping me invisible even when I wanted to be seen.

Ripping open the patio doors leading to the lounge, I stood framed in sunshine and held my breath.

Come on…

Come on…

Fucking nothing.

Jesus Christ.

What’s a man got to do around here to get someone to murder him?

My leg gave out as I stepped into the gorgeous country home. Huge artwork of olden-day winemaking graced the high whitewashed walls. Sculptures of grapes and big oak barrels used as side tables hinted clearly what this estate grew.

And still nothing.

A discarded coffee cup sat on a side table, a curl of steam still twirling.

Huh…

My eyes narrowed

An ambush then.

I grinned.

Fine.

With insanity staining my thoughts, I pulled the pin out of the grenade and tossed it into the living room beyond.

A few men’s shouts, a quick feminine scream, followed by running.

ThenBOOM.

The noise and dust and smoke and shake reminded me of the detonations in Victor’s castle. One of the massive paintings fell off the walls, smashing against an oversized bottle of wine.

The noise of glass shattering on travertine tiles added to all the other chaos as I limped toward the decimated living room.

I couldn’t see from the smoke.

My eyes stung from the dust.

My leg gave out again, and I tripped.

A man’s curse sounded beyond the rubble.

I went to fire.

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