Diamond Kisses (The Jewelry Box #4)

Prologue

………………………….

Ily

MY LIFE DIDN’T FLASH BEFORE my eyes.

I didn’t dissociate or float away.

I couldn’t look away from Henri as a guard moved to his side at Victor’s orders.

I couldn’t stop trembling, bound on the altar, as Henri fisted the diamond-handled dagger and sucked in a tattered breath.

Every moment we’d shared.

Every night, every kiss, every whisper.

We’d tried and failed.

Peter would die after me. The jewels would be punished. And Henri…he might truly lose himself.

He shifted and pressed one hand on my belly, where Victor told him to cut through my ribcage and rip out my heart. His other hand brought the knife to my throat as he bent over me and whispered one final time. “Forgive me.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks, trickling beneath the crystal-adorned mask.

I nodded as he caught my stare.

I hoped he sacrificed me to save the others.

I hoped he’d come to the same conclusion I had; it was over for me and Peter, but not him. He could go on and save them. He could finish this.

With my heart winging and adrenaline racing, I gave him a watery smile. “Forgiven.”

His eyes flared behind his black tourmaline mask.

For a moment, it looked as if he’d kiss me.

But then he stood to his full height.

Strangled the knife.

And cut—