Page 126 of Chandelier Sin
“What happened in the dungeon with Mr. Hellraiser?” I asked, using the nickname the subs at Chrysalis had given Lance.
“Not here.” She picked up her wine glass and slid off the barstool. Strolling toward an alcove, she glanced back to invite me to follow.
Carrying my glass over, I sat opposite Rylee on the large brown sofa. Usually, I wasn’t in the mood to put up with her.
Rylee gave a shrug. “When I heard Jake had taken a sub home, I admit I was pissed.”
“Jake texted you to let you know.”
“He never came and found me.”
“Jake had to get her out, fast.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure he did.”
We shared a moment where the obvious was glaring—her actions had influenced his.
“You both get to move on,” I said.
“You’re not usually this sensitive.”
“I care about Jake. He wants you to be happy.”
“I was using Lance.” She raised her index finger. “Not to get back at Jake, but for a bigger purpose.”
I leaned forward to encourage her to say more.
“This place,” she began.
“Go on.”
“Why do you think I want to be on the Board?”
I gave a shrug. “‘Cause you’re a cunt.”
She slapped my arm. “Shut up.”
My wry smile matched hers.
She leaned in. “The way they treat their subs. It’s not good, Atti. Be happy your deal isn’t going through.”
“Don’t believe the rumors.” I set my glass down.
“I think some of the girls are…coerced.”
“We’ll look into it.”
Her alliance with Lance left no room for an error in judgment.
She stared at me, and then her expression changed to one of realization.
“You knew,” she said softly. “Listen to me, that seat is important. It gives me the chance to change this place. From the inside.”
“You blew up your life for this?”
“Thought I had time to get Jake back.”
“Tell him that.” I didn’t think Stella was the real deal, and the fallout later might leave him lonely.
