Page 135 of Diamond Angel

I feel my heart suddenly slam inside my ribcage just hearing those words. No matter what’s happened, then or now, never once have I ever entertained the idea of being married to Ilarion. In my panic, I deflect with a nervous laugh. “There you go again. Being selfless.”

She shrugs off the compliment. There isn’t a trace of a smile on her face. “I’m not being anything. I’m just stating the obvious. I was stupid not to have seen it before. It seems so transparent to me now. And just so you know, I don’t actually have feelings for Ilarion. What little emotion I felt for him died the moment I realized he was in love with you. Which, to be honest, is a huge red flag in and of itself. Real love doesn’t snuff itself out that fast.”

I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe and I’m pretty sure I’m losing my hearing, too. Her words are starting to muffle amidst the pounding in my ears.

“I don’t want to lose you, Cee.”

She meets my eyes for a second. “So that’s it, is it?” she asks. “You’re worried that if you run off into the sunset with Ilarion, you’re risking our relationship?”

“Well…yes.”

Cee smiles at me like I’m some adorable little kid caught doing something silly. “Tay. Really. You and Ilarion aresupposedto be together. And Adam needs his father as much as you do. What kind of sister would I be if I made you choose between that and your family? No, I would never.” Her walls are completely down now. she smiles sadly. “You’re really blessed, Taylor. Don’t fuck it up.”

“But what about you?”

“That’s my concern now,” she says with an easy shrug of her shoulder. “Not yours. Actually, it was never your concern.”

I push back my tears. “Can you ever forgive me?” I’m terrified of her answer, because honestly, I don’t have anything left to lose.

She pulls an apple out of her picnic box and hands it to me before she gets to her feet. “Give that to Adam,” she tells me. “I’ll want to see him from time to time.”

It’s not exactly an answer, but it’s something.

“I’m leaving for the penthouse soon. I’ll probably be moving my things there in a few days.” She turns to glance over her shoulder at me. “There’s no reason for you to leave, too. Let Adam enjoy his new home. He deserves to be happy. All of us do.”

55

ILARION

“Is it Dima?” Mila asks the moment she sees me pick up the call. “Put him on speaker.”

I shoot her a glare and transfer the call to speaker. Then I gesture for her to follow me into the den. “Go on, Dima,” I tell him as Mila shuts the door behind us.

“Benedict left us a little gift just outside the Southside warehouse. It was addressed to you and gift-wrapped. Fucker has a flare for the dramatics.”

“Always did. Have you opened the box?”

“Just finished running checks on it. Looks like there’s nothing poisonous or flammable. Want me to bring it over or should I do the honors?”

“Transfer to FaceTime,” Mila barks. “And just open the damn thing.”

“Ilarion?” Dima questions. Mila rolls her eyes.

“Do as Mila says.”

The moment the video call pops up, I press the green button and Dima’s face appears on the screen. He twists the camera around and I’m staring at a small white box with green trimming.

Dima pulls at the green bow and it falls open. He lifts the lid off the box and drops it almost immediately. It takes a moment before the camera focuses on what’s inside.

“Fuck me… Is that a finger?” Mila whispers.

The camera twists back around on Dima’s face. He looks pale but otherwise calm. “Pretty sure that’s Archie’s finger.” I don’t miss the sympathy in his voice.

“Bury it,” I say without missing a beat. “And no one’s to breathe a word of this to Celine or Taylor.Especiallynot in front of Adam. Am I clear?”

“He’s going to carve the old man up, Ilarion,” Dima presses urgently. “They might have to be prepared before that happens.”

“That’s not going to happen,” I snap. “Because we’re going to get to him before then. Finish up there quickly; I have a few leads I need you to follow for me.”

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