Page 127 of Chandelier Sin
“You guys were obsessed with owning this place,” she said. “I didn’t think you saw the ‘play.’”
A football term Jake used. He still had his hooks in her.
Feeling sorry for Rylee wasn’t something I thought possible. Then again, their love was toxic, so they were probably better off apart.
“Who else knows?” I asked.
Furtively, she glanced around. “Scarlet.”
“Lotte and Penny?”
She looked away without answering my question. “We don’t need you, Atti.”
I wasn’t too surprised it was the women from Chrysalis. “We work together, Rylee.”
“Not an option.”
What the actual fuck.
I didn’t need the ladies from Chrysalis interfering and messing up the plan.
She shivered. “I shouldn’t even be seen talking with you.”
“Too late.”
“Oh, God,” she whispered.
Both of us suppressed a cringe as Jewel Delany strolled toward us.
“Tell her nothing,” I said.
“As if.”
Jewel appeared calmer than usual and more elegant than her secret life deserved. She had her hair pulled back in a harsh style, and her expression was typical resting bitch face. She exuded the kind of authority that gave her the edge.
Rylee piped up, “How’s it going, Jewel?”
Inviting her to join us was the polite thing to do, but I was all out of niceties.
Jewel ignored Rylee and faced me. “How’s Stella?”
That landed like the taunt to Rylee it was.
“I wouldn’t know,” I said flatly.
She turned to Rylee. “Your ex moved on with an exquisite submissive. You must be a little jealous at how well they get on. You two did love your fights.”
Rylee didn’t bite.
Watching Jewel carefully, I wanted to confront her about Stella’s origin. Ask a myriad of questions about who that girl really was and why we caught them having lunch together at the yacht club.
Better not to dig too deep and garner more interest from her.
Jewel zeroed in on me. “Heard you went to Aemon’s home?”
“A private matter,” I answered.
She frowned. “You go through me. I’m your chain of command.”
