Page 203 of Chandelier Sin
“Why would Lance target Stella?” I asked, and then realized. “Because he’s getting rid of A.J. and the only other person who knows about this is…Stella.”
“We have to get to her,” said Cameron.
“Do you think he’s already got her?” asked Greyson. “He took out the guard first.”
“Where the hell would he take her?” I cursed his name.
Greyson looked over at me. “To join her brother onThe Hades?”
I shook my head. “He can’t access the yacht, unless he flies her in.”
All of us stood, realizing where he’d choose to take her.
Ignoring the pain, I flew out of the chapel and sprinted toward my car.
Sometimes, a nightmare creeps up on you when you least expect it. Turning what you knew your life to be into a terrifying vision, when the veil lifts and the true nature of what surrounds you screams itself alive.
This is what Pendulum had become to me.
This diamond necklace was real, but my smile was fake. If anyone here read my mind, I’d be dead.
I no longer held any loyalty for this place.
It had always been my husband’s club. He’d proven that time and time again, and now, those dungeons brought mixed feelings when I entered them.
My golden gown was creased from where I’d taken a nap earlier—those precious minutes when I was allowed to forget.
Shame shuddered through me that I’d not seen Pendulum for what it was. Even the air felt different, chilling my flesh, the music sounding discordant.
Candlelight lining the hallway was mesmerizing, a reminder that the setting had a way of lulling you.
The power of this place even permeated the walls. A palpable energy coursed through my veins, like a warning to anyone who tried to change the rules that they would suffer the consequences of their ill-fated attempt. The laws here were too engrained. Too off balance for one person to make a difference.
At least there was movement on finding my daughter’s whereabouts. All I had to do was wait.
The hardest part.
I lifted the hem of my gown and headed toward the main chamber.
On my approach, I saw Jewel speaking with Inaya, the sweet submissive who’d given me some insight. Seeing her berated by Jewel was hard to bear.
I closed the space between us. “What’s going on?”
I tried to read the situation.
Jewel lifted the bodice she was holding. “She’s refusing to wear this.”
“So would I.” I smiled at Inaya with reassurance. “Terrible color.”
“She’s being showcased,” insisted Jewel.
I felt a jolt of fear for her.
It meant Inaya would soon be paraded around the Grand Hall for the entire room to see. An event she wasn’t ready for at all.
“This won’t do, Inaya.” I tried to sound convincing.
“You’ll take care of her?” asked Jewel. “I have the chamber to prepare.”
