Page 202 of Chandelier Sin
He gave me one of his infamous smiles, the kind that carried empathy and a profound understanding that I was willing to risk everything.
Because if anyone could sense love, it was him.
“Acknowledge your pain, Atti. If you don’t, you’ll end up punishing yourself by never experiencingtrue love. Time to transcend.”
I started to respond, but then Greyson nudged the door open and carried in three Styrofoam cups.
“I’m afraid it’s not Cole tea,” he said.
Cameron put a palm to his chest to feign being offended.
“What did I miss?” Greyson handed over our drinks.
“Is that…” Greyson leaned toward me. “A bruise on your jaw?”
“We have to tell him,” Cameron said, and then turned to face Greyson. “Atticus just witnessed Dean Hersey being whisked awayin Lance’s car. Dean approached him with questions and Lance wasn’t impressed.”
Greyson glared at me. “You called the police, right?”
“No,” I said flatly. “They’ll close down Pendulum. Move the women. They’ll be lost to us.”
“This is above our pay grade, guys.”
I gave a nod. “I know.”
“Doesn’t that make us conspirators?”
“Take a seat, there’s more,” I replied, and slowly sat down.
“More?”
“We’re going to get the submissives out this weekend.”
“Okay.” Greyson looked thoughtful. “I can help with that.”
“No,” I told him. “We’ve got this.”
He looked away and went quiet.
Cameron fished out his phone and turned it to show us the screen. “They’re going in.”
“It’s happening,” I said. “Thank God.”
“Bit altruistic of you,” snapped Greyson, his anger rising. “You never did like Amelia.” His shoulders rose with tension. “That’s why you don’t want me there.”
“We’re keeping a low profile,” said Cameron. “That’s all.”
“Not sure why you wouldn’t want me there,” mumbled Greyson.
Cameron’s frown deepened.
“What’s happening with the rescue?” I asked.
“No update on that.” Shaking his head, Cameron peered up at me. “The guard outside Stella’s condo isn’t responding.”
“They took him out,” I said. “Lance…”
Cole mulled it over. “Maybe seeing you with Dean made Lance antsy.”
