Page 51 of Vicious Games

Roman’s eyes narrowed. “It’s missing something. A necklace, I think.”

I turned and approached my jewelry armoire. “Yes, I thought I’d wear the yellow diamond one,” I said as I pulled open the top drawer and surveyed the diamond necklaces nestled on the bed of red velvet.

“No, I think you should wear this one.”

I turned and froze.

Roman was holding up the same diamond necklace I had pawned a week ago.

My mouth went dry as my gaze flashed to his. His eyes betrayed nothing.

He knows.

“Come here, baby girl. Let me put it on you.”

I looked over his shoulder at the door, then back at Roman. He smirked. We both knew I wouldn’t make it.

My knuckles went white as I gripped the edge of the jewelry armoire. It was the only way I was staying upright.

“Aurora?”

He knows.

I swallowed as I forced the corners of my lips up. “Of course. I’ve always loved that one.”

My knees wobbled as I took one, then a second hesitant step toward him. I stopped just shy of reaching him.

Roman stepped closer.

Instinct had me backing up.

How much does he know?

Roman raised an eyebrow. He then stepped toward me again. I forced myself to stay still.

“Turn around,” he commanded.

Turn around. Turn my back on him. Turn away. Turn so that I would be vulnerable. Turn so he could strangle me from behind. Turn so I wouldn’t see the bullet. Turn. Turn. Turn around. The word tumbled and repeated in my head like a rush of dark water.

Does he know about Eleanor? Does he know it all?

I stared at the white of his tuxedo shirt and imagined what it would look like splattered with crimson blood. The rushing water sound increased in pitch. Swallowing hard, I closed my eyes… and turned.

My heart stopped in my chest when I sensed his arms reaching around me. My eyes snapped back open. The brush of his fingers as he pushed my hair over one shoulder nearly made my knees buckle. The cold, heavy weight of the diamond necklace settled around my throat. His skin brushed against mine as he latched it. He then held my shoulders and turned me slightly so we could stare at our reflection in the mirror again.

He knows.

Roman’s fingertips caressed my collarbone as he skimmed the edges of the necklace. “It was like you were fated to wear this one and only necklace, to the exclusion of all other necklaces. As if you should never take it off. Ever.”

I swallowed, catching the dark double entendre. “It’s beautiful,” I choked out, furiously tapping a Beethoven sonata on my outer thigh with my right hand to hide my panic.

Roman broke our gaze and stared down at me. “Yes, it is. It would be a shame if it got tarnished or ruined. I would truly hate to destroy it.”

He knows.

My eyelids fluttered as bile rose in the back of my throat. “You know, Roman. I’m not feeling very well. I don’t think we should—”

“I’m sure it will pass. I’ve put a great deal of work into this surprise for you. You don’t want to disappoint me, do you?”

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