Page 171 of Chandelier Sin
I walked through the kitchen, needing some private time to consider how to deliver the news that I’d cut them out of the deal. My deflection would help us reach our goal—being the new owners of Pendulum.
But if Greyson shared any of this with Amelia, we were fucked.
If Aemon found out about me coming here, he’d kill me himself.
For some reason, he didn’t scare me anymore. Maybe it was because he had threatened to give me over to the man that I hated more than him. If Lance had placed one finger on me, I’d have spun out of control.
Atticus had prevented that from happening. He’d saved me from a fate worse than death.
I owed him so much.
Which was why I was risking everything to drive to Mulholland to see his friends, winding along twisty roads to a stranger’s home. My jeans, white T-shirt and pumps were casual enough for any impromptu meeting.
I’d told my staff I was off to an afternoon yoga class. Couldn’t exactly announce I was defying Aemon’s wishes and visiting the enemy.
Jake Carrington had seemed reasonable inthe interviews I’d watched of him. It was either meet with him or Greyson—but he was rumored to be eccentric and was rarely seen in public.
Mulholland’s impressive views of downtown L.A. reminded me of what I loved about this city. The vista’s glistening lights drew my focus off the canyon road as I drove closer.
The people living in those impressive hillside homes had probably created a cozy refuge, families snuggled on the couch while watching TV on a Friday night, their futures filled with love and hope. Perhaps finding the peace I craved.
I could be like them if I was brave. If I continued to pretend that everything was fine, that I wasn’t plotting to fly to England.
Fly to her.
I’d found no evidence of where she was living yet. The moment I did, I’d be gone. This life would be nothing but a bad memory.
The stakes remained high. If I messed this visit up, I’d never locate her. My punishment would mean she’d be lost to me forever.
I’ll find you, my love, my Eloise, and then we’ll disappear together.
I followed a Mercedes through the main gate and navigated up the driveway, parking beside several cars. Jake appeared to have company and it sounded like a party. I heard music spilling out to welcome his guests.
His house was all towering glass and windows, a modern take on an L.A. design that made it blend with nature. Someone had poured love into this architectural wonder by making the modern seem cozy. It was quite lovely, really.
The file on my husband’s desk had proven useful. Inside, I’d found Jake’s address and a little information about his life. Apparently, he was a private man. Other than his football career, the rest was shrouded in secrecy.
I headed in and was immediately greeted by a tall man in jeans and a T-shirt. “Hey, got your invite?” he asked.
I pretended to look for it in my purse. “No, I think I forgot it.”
“Who are you?”
“A friend.”
He gave me a slow, steady grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Name, please.”
“Mrs. Smith.”
He gave me a questioning smirk and led me inside. “Wait here, please.”
A playful couple scurried by us, their happiness a drastic contrast to how I felt.
I had to be home within the hour, so I hoped this wouldn’t take too long.
Jake was a well-known athlete, but his security appeared a little over-the-top.
I waited politely, wondering how he and the other men had met.
