“As long as it satisfies,” she agreed. “Using the kidnapping of the Princess Gabriella or the threats on the Bissets as a lever to gain your release from prison was one thing. You’re no longer in prison.” Again she looked with admiration around the room. “I would think you would move on to more profitable waters.”

“All business needs a completion.” She saw emotion for the first time as his fingers tightened around his glass. “All debts require payment. The interest of ten years is dear, very dear. Do you agree?”

“Yes. Revenge, or retribution if you prefer. This I understand is as sweet as diamonds.” And looking at him, she knew he would stop at nothing to collect. “Monsieur, you have arranged for me to be in the palace. I intend to continue to remain there until you alter the order, but I prefer to do so with some direction.” She gestured casually, palm up. “The revenge, after all, is yours, not mine. I’ve never worked well blindfolded.”

“A man who puts all of his cards on the table loses his edge.”

“Agreed. So does a man who doesn’t sharpen his tools and use them where they’re best suited. I’m in, monsieur. Having a map of some sort would be useful.”

He intended to use her, and well. Sitting back again, Deboque steepled his hands. His diamonds shot out violent light. He had failed, twice before he had failed to use the Bissets for his own purposes. He had failed to bring Armand to his knees. Whatever had to be done, whomever had to be used, he wouldn’t fail this time. In Hannah, he thought he’d found the instrument.

“Let me ask you this. If one man wishes to destroy another, what does he do?”

“The simplest is to end his life.”

Deboque smiled, and now Hannah saw the evil. It was coated with class, pampered with elegance, but very real. “I’m not a simple man. Death is so final, and even when it is slow, it’s soon over. To destroy a man, the soul, the heart, requires more than a bullet in the brain.”

He was speaking of Armand, she knew. It wasn’t time to demand he name names and reveal his plan. He would tell her nothing and trust her less. Hannah set down her glass and tried to think as he did. “To truly destroy, you take away what is most valuable.” Her heart began to beat in the back of her throat, clogging a wave of nausea. Still, when she spoke it was with cool admiration. “His children?”