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I captured her hand, holding her still Her knobbly fingers were brittle and arthritic from so many unnatural breaks at the sadistic whihtmarish existences I’d survived and I would use th to work beside Q I would dedicate ive every broken wo like mine

I placed my hands in my lap "I understand co me his pain He’d fixed me, but there was still so much unresolved"

Suzette smiled "Maybe, I’ll find someone to save me, too"

I shook my head "Q didn’t save me--well, he did--but ultimately, he just showed me the way He showed me I had the power to save myself You have that power inside you, too You just have to acknowledge it"

Tears wobbled in my eyes, overwhelmed with all that’d happened "Thank you, Suzette For everything" Our gaze connected; I poured forth every gratitude "You helped ave er than et there--because you helped me do the same"

She continued to work onone, Tess But I’m so happy to have you in my life--happy to have a friend" Her lips flitted into a sad setting there"

One of the island staff came closer She had a pretty face with thick eyelashes and a diain,our conversation Her s the vulnerability in her eyes "Yes We don’t havethe stool legs over the tiles, giving the girl room to kneel at my feet and place numerous tools, varnishes, and a foot spa beside me

The other staffup her station by ernails

"Wow, I’ve never been so pampered" I sank my feet into the warm bath forirl who’d killed yesterday into a pure princess today

Never in irlfriends this way I never owned nail varnishes or pretty things--ht they were the devil’s tools I’d never had a sleepover or done so drastic with my hair

My sht

It lad it was Suzette helpingbecause she wasafter Q and irly bliss "You do know you’re going to spoil ain"

Suzette and the wo day" Suzette’s face scrunched in concentration, taking sections ofit in a haphazard way "Besides, I’ve seen your capabilities with hairdressing and your version of tying it up is a boring ponytail"

Only because I’d never had anyone showmy days of jumpers and jeans were behinddown non I looked in the mirror,ernails ith Love’s First Kiss pink nail varnish and I reached carefully to pat the thick French-inspired up do

Suzette swattedIt’s up but a bit precarious, so be careful"

I frowned, tilting my head to admire it I looked sophisticated and demure Not exactly hoould’ve done it, but I was eternally grateful for Suzette’s help "I’ll be dancing and spending the day in high hu your masterpiece?"

Her lips curled into a smile My heart stuttered at the flash of calculation in her eyes What is she up to?

"It doesn’t have to be up for long Besides, let me worry about all of that" With that cryptic coes from the bed "Thank you, ladies I can take it fro not to s onto the mattress

My sto sinful and entirely too kinky, was black, lacy lingerie But it didn’t stop there Black stockings with a garter belt, a delicate bow stitched into the sheerwith a black leather corset with blood-red velvet ties

My eyes flew to Suzette "What is this?"

She glowed "I figure you’re going to be the virgin bride, dressed all in white, but the ain Don’t you want to wear it for hi the intricate sparrows stitched into the leather Tears pricked ain at the direct symbolism that I was one of Q’s birds The only one who stayed for hiht I couldn’t wait to have hiain

"It’s beyond beautiful But won’t it show under the dress?"

Suzette shook her head "No Leave all the worrying to et you ready We don’t have own from my shoulders, she demanded, "Strip I need to add concealer to any bruises you still have and dress you in an outfit that’ll make any master hard"

"Your body is hts What would he do when he saw the lingerie? Would he cut it off or leave it?

Apprehension filled ered Q’s darkness? What if he won’t wait any longer? My back tensed, very aware of his innuendoes and veiled pro night--he wanted to clai he hadn’t claimed before

I sed hard It was irrational to be so afraid, but I was Nerves tripled my heartbeat

Suzette didn’t notice my silence "I see the way he looks at you, Tess He won’t be able to contain hi hiy There would be no containing hi what he wanted