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I t was close to midnight when they heard a loud knock on the outer door.

But Jossland didn’t wait for Eve to answer him.

He was cursing as he pushed open the door and carried in a huge white wardrobe box and threw it on the floor at Celine’s feet.

“A present from Caldwell,” he said with a grin.

“I told him I approved of it, and he gave me special orders about what to do with it once you unwrapped it. He thought I’d enjoy being the one to give you orders.

He wasn’t wrong.” He threw himself onto a chair and waved a royal hand.

“Go ahead. Open it. It probably cost Caldwell a small fortune.”

“Not interested,” Celine said. “And I don’t take orders from you. Open it yourself.”

His lips twisted as he leaned forward. “But I want to see you do it. Caldwell gave me orders and told me if I had trouble making you obey me, I could use a bit of force to help you to remember that you’re just a prisoner and I call the shots.

I think he’s getting tired of having to kowtow to you and Eve Duncan. ”

“That could be interesting,” Celine said. “But not enough to waste my time on. Go to hell, Jossland.”

“Don’t be rude, Celine.” Eve was pushing past her and scooping up the box. “I know that designer label, and I’m curious to see what’s inside.” She slipped down the black velvet ties and opened the lid. “There! It seems to be a fairly innocuous-looking garment. Not worth causing a fuss over.”

“That’s a matter of opinion.” But Celine was looking down with revulsion at the gown, and then she took it out of the box shook it. “I have an idea what it is, though I have to admit it’s really exquisite.” She dropped the gown on the floor. “But tell Caldwell I said no thank you.”

“You don’t have a choice.” Jossland was scowling.

“I have my orders. He said you were to put it on and that I was to take photos and bring them to him. I think he wants to show them to Zakira and prove that you’re ready for him.

So you have a choice of putting the damn thing on yourself or leaving it up to me.

” His smile was very nasty. “I’d enjoy it, but I doubt if you would. ”

“You underestimate me,” Celine said. “I’m always wide open to new experiences. I might be able to make even that bearable.”

Eve stepped between them and gave the gown to Celine.

“But I really want to see it on you. I’m sure that deep-violet silk would show off your eyes beautifully.

” She pushed Celine toward the workroom.

“Try it on, and while you’re doing it, imagine where else a gown like that might lead you.

I can’t wait to see you in it. You should thank Jossland for giving you this opportunity. ”

She slammed the door of the workroom.

Leaving Celine alone to get over the anger and terror of the moment when she had seen that gorgeous gown that she knew was meant to be her shroud.

Okay, forget it. Just decode those last few sentences of Eve’s and use Jossland and this gown to save both of them tonight.

Simple? No way. But she already had an idea how she might be able to do it.

Think.

Make a plan!

Her hand moved exploringly over the folds of the gown. The fabric was inset with glittering amethysts, brilliant emeralds, and gold. She looked down. The second emerald in the inset was loose enough for her purpose.

She quickly slipped on the gown, fastened it, and then took a deep breath and turned to leave the workroom and face Eve.

“You look stunning.” Eve gazed at her in astonishment as she walked slowly around Celine, taking in every detail. It was a clinging Roman toga design, but the bejeweled fabric glittered. The necklace and earrings Celine had on were also studded with amethysts and emeralds.

“I’m glad you think so,” Celine whispered. “But it’s not exactly what you’d call a festive occasion, is it? Though I might have come up with a way to make it bearable.”

Eve went still. “Have you indeed? Interesting.”

“I hope it will be.” Celine suddenly grinned. “Though I admit I intend to try to enjoy it. I want to make sure Zakira and Caldwell don’t get off too easily after what they inflicted on Kontara and the other people here at Shafira. She deserves to see them suffer.”

“What are you two women whispering about?” Jossland was gazing at them suspiciously. “Get away from her, Celine. I don’t trust you.”

She turned to face him. “Really? When I’m such a gentle, peace-loving person.”

“Shut up!” he hissed. “I have to report to Caldwell.” He was dialing his phone as he spoke.

“I made her put on the damn gown just like you said, Caldwell. Yeah, I guess she looks okay. She wasn’t happy about it, but I bet the priest will like her in it.

Do you want me to bring her to you now?” Evidently he got a negative response, because he shrugged.

“Okay.” He hung up and turned back to Celine.

“He’s going to talk to the priest and then come here and check you out himself before he lets him see you.

He said he didn’t trust me to give an opinion.

since he knows I want him to give you to me like he promised. ”

“He’s more intelligent than I thought,” Celine said. “And you’re clearly much more stupid to think he’d bother trying to please you.”

“Bitch!” He took out his Glock and pointed it at her.

“I’m getting tired of putting up with your smart talk.

You don’t even know that Caldwell is almost through with his games with you.

He wouldn’t have gone to all that trouble sending you that fancy gown if he hadn’t been ready to make a move on Zakira.

” His teeth were clenched with fury as he took a step closer.

“And I might just make a move myself after what you made those guards do to my arm in that damn river. I can’t wait to get my hands on you. ”

“You’re making that obvious,” Celine said.

“But you’re clearly too scared of Caldwell to do anything but talk big.

You’d better put that gun up before you hurt yourself.

” She smiled mockingly. “Caldwell seems to think of you as some kind of errand boy. Why else would he send you here with this gorgeous gown? Oh, that’s right.

He wanted you to take photos.” She twirled around in a circle.

“That’s all you’re good for, according to Caldwell.

By all means, do what he’s ordered you to do. ”

“Shut up!”

He started taking the photos but she could tell he was getting more angry with every moment as she continued twirling and mocking him. “You’re slowing down,” Celine called. “Caldwell will be getting completely disgusted with you. He’ll never trust you again.”

“I’ll show you how much he trusts me.” His cheeks were flushed as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him. “I’ll break you apart!”

“Stop it.” Eve was suddenly standing between them. “This isn’t what Caldwell would want and you know it, Jossland. I was promised her as a model for my death mask. Do you want me to complain to Zakira?”

“Do what you want.” Jossland tightened his grip on Celine’s arm. His eyes were glittering wildly as his other arm lashed out and his fist struck Eve in the jaw with brutal force. “You’re nothing to me.”

“No!” Celine watched Eve fall to the floor unconscious. Then she was fighting desperately to jerk her arm free and do a Muay Thai kick aimed at the gun in Jossland’s hand. It flew across the room, away from Jossland!

Celine tensed as Jossland circled around her.

She was making a mistake, she realized. She was instinctively sizing him up as she would a Muay Thai opponent in class, but this was no training session.

Here, her opponent would gladly kill her.

There was no elegance to play by. This was a fight for her life.

No rules.

With a slight hop, she swung her left leg up and brought it down on his neck with an ax-kick. He screamed, and his knees buckled.

Good. His head and shoulders were now lower, so the next kick would be easier.

She hopped again and swung her right leg up. Shit. The stupid dress was inhibiting her range of movement. Jossland grabbed her ankle and flipped her over. She hit the floor hard. He was on top of her in an instant.

He smiled. “Got you. No more tricks.”

She cursed. This damn dress. The sharp-edged jewels were cutting into her torso, making it almost impossible to move.

She closed her eyes. Her old Muay Thai master had always told her to turn every weakness into an advantage. Right. He’d never been shoehorned into a ceremonial dress like this one, she wagered.

Jossland closed his hands around her throat. “This won’t be quick, but I’ll enjoy the hell out of every minute, my dear bitch.”

She tried to gasp, but her airway had been totally cut off. She tried to wiggle free, but the bejeweled dress sliced into her.

Turn every weakness into an advantage…

She had to make this count; she’d only have one shot at it.

She reached down and gripped an emerald that had been cutting into her. She yanked it free of the gown, swung her arm upward, and sliced Jossland’s throat!

His eyes bulged as his carotid artery opened. Celine rolled out from under him and held the emerald protectively before her as she would a knife. Then she realized there was no need. He was bleeding out quickly. His hands closed around his own throat as blood gushed over his fingers.

He lost consciousness in seconds.

He was dead in less than a minute.

“Eve…” Celine crawled over to where Eve was still lying and started to examine her. “Eve… it’s over… We have to find a way to—”

Eve’s eyes were opening! Celine took a deep breath. “Good. I was worried for a minute. But I think you’re okay. How do you feel?”

Eve made a face. “Like that asshole punched me in the jaw. I hope you managed to return the favor.”

Celine nodded. “I made sure that you came out on top of that particular battle.”