Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Ah, shit.
My pulse picked up as Ily’s shoulders tensed.
What did that mean?
I’d shot Rachel and Mollie to keep them safe.
Nothing more.
I didn’t want them.
I didn’t want to think what Victor would make me do to them and how the fuck I could refuse…
Ignoring most of Victor’s speech, Ferdinand wrinkled his nose. “You’re saying Charles and Gary drowned?” He crossed his arms. “I want an autopsy. If there’s no water in their lungs, then—”
“An autopsy?” Victor snickered. “Yeah, sure, I’ll call the morgue director straight away.” His humour vanished. “A fucking autopsy? Where do you think you are? Snivelling society where murder is investigated? This is my world. My island. I gave you rules. I warned you of the dangers. Some of you didn’t listen and are now dead. Good fucking riddance.” He sucked in a breath. “An autopsy!” Rolling his eyes, he added, “Oh, and while I have your attention, because no one asked me what I want, I want a fucking apology from those who are responsible for the five jewels I lost yesterday! But we don’t always get what we want, do we?”
Wait…five?
I froze.
Ily swallowed a moan.
We both glanced around the ballroom.
No other jewels waited by their Master’s feet.
No other slave but her.
If seven were receiving medical care and five were now dead…that left eighteen.
Even as the number blazed in my mind and Ily caught my stare, I sensed where this was going.
What Victor would do.
How he’d react to losing his precious toys, even if he had given them the option to jump and turned their collars off for the day. How many jumped, and how many were murdered?
He’ll replace them.
At the soonest opportunity.
Victor stopped pacing and clasped his hands together. He stood on the podium where that Kirk fellow and some girl called Suri had put on a porno.
Were they still alive?
Who were dead?
And how many more would die before I managed to get out of here?
Huh.
Strange.
Was that a Freudian slip? I didn’t want out. I’d accepted this was my permanent home now. I knew the moment I stepped off this island Q would slaughter me.
“Play along with me, Hen.”
Ily’s whispers strangled my heart.
How could she ask me that?
How could she expect me to go back to that heart-sick, nausea-riddled idiot from before?
I couldn’t play along with her because I couldn’t get her out of here.
If I freed her, she’d leave.
I’d be alone again.
And after that hug?
That miraculous, marvellous hug?
That profound embrace where I’d felt such a softening, a quickening, a ruining…
Merde…
No.
Just…no.
“Here is how today will go.” Victor spoke calmly, collectedly. “I’ve decided I need a break from you lot before I do something ill-advised. I’m going to join my team who are currently hunting on my behalf. My initial order of gems will have to be doubled, tripled, to ensure my stocks are back to an acceptable number to entertain you degenerates.”
“Jeez, tell us what you really think.” A dark-skinned Master sniffed.
“I am.” Victor smiled tightly. “Some of you committed treason against me when you murdered my precious gems. I tried to do something nice for you. I trusted you to respect me.” He crossed his arms. “You didn’t. You proved you’re selfish and childish, and if this is the only way I can get through to you, then so be it.” His lips pulled back. “You are all to vacate my home immediately and think upon the mess you have caused. My Joyero is mine, not yours. You are here by my grace and invitation, and your invitation has been revoked.”
“What?” Every Master shot to his feet. “But—”
“Ah, ah, I’m not finished.” Victor held up his hand. “You will be allowed to return in one month’s time. This will enable my current jewels to heal and grow strong for your pleasure and for me to find some new gems to sparkle brightly upon your arrival. You will be flown home and will receive your new invitation on the encrypted message board like usual.” He smiled and ran a hand over his perfect hair. “However, a few of you will not be allowed to return. I’ll make those announcements privately. As for those who do get another invite, I suggest you use this time to reflect upon your actions because this is your one and only chance. We are predators, gentlemen, not unintelligent beasts. We have urges, yes. We are at the top of the food chain, of course. But there still must be order. There still must be rules. And unless you are willing to abide by those rules, you are no longer welcome.”
“What about him?” Ian, the Master who’d almost raped Ily on Victor’s command, pointed in my direction.
Yes, what about me?
All my scheming to stay so I didn’t die might be moot if Victor flew me back to Paris.
I guessed I’d survive an hour. Maybe two before Q came for me…