Page 36 of Diamond Kisses

Forty-seven and now—

“Move.” The guard stepped toward me, his hand hovering over his pistol on his belt.

Standing on my newly cast-free ankle, I stepped toward him gingerly.

Dressed only in my towel, I cursed not wearing clothes. I’d looked in the drawers and wardrobe and found nothing.

They’d even taken the gross clothes I’d worn in the caves.

I hated being so bare.

Hated to think what Victor would do…

My feet slowed.

“Move it,” the guard barked.

I obeyed, gritting my teeth against discomfort.

Only…

All the aches and pains. All the bone-deep discomfort and conscious-stealing weakness…gone.

I stepped again.

Okay, so that might’ve been an exaggeration. Not gone…just better.

I still wobbled a little. Still suffered greyness on the edge of my vision and still couldn’t take a deep breath without a twinge in my ribs but…everything else was muted beneath a blanket of softness.

Standing taller, I walked a little faster.

Whatever Dr Belford had given me, it’d done exactly what she said it would.

I had the smallest amount of power. The faintest reprieve from everything that’d happened.

I deliberately slouched as I stepped past the guards and into the corridor.

I felt better, but no way would I let them know that.

“Come on.” The two guards ushered me forward with fierce looks and a quick slap to the back of my head.

Gritting my teeth, I didn’t retaliate.

I wouldn’t.

Not until I spied a chance to get the fuck out of here.

Going where they pushed me, I walked carefully down the stairs and clung onto the banister when my vision threatened to black out from lack of food. The towel around my waist threatened to come undone as we reached the foyer and they pointed for me to head toward the ballroom.

Faint smells of breakfast still lingered even though the buffet had been cleared away. My stomach snarled as I stepped into the cavernous room. Only a few tables were occupied by Masters and their jewels. The men enjoyed an early afternoon coffee in the spilling sunshine.

Scanning the impressive room with its arched painted ceilings and wide-open doors spilling onto the deck beyond, I searched for Ily and Peter.

A loud chuckle wrenched my eyes to a table by the podium. “They’re not here, I’m afraid. Just you, my dear friend.”

I couldn’t stop hate curdling through me as the guards marched me toward Victor. He sat like a king, reclining in his chair, his long legs kicked out, ankles crossed, and fingers toying with a couple of mini tarts on a flower-painted china plate. His charcoal suit glimmered with wealth while his skin glowed with vitality, highlighting my downfall in all the worst ways.

Rachel sucked in a sharp breath as our eyes met.

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