Page 208 of Chandelier Sin
“Eve, listen,” Atticus said, his tone gentle. “You and I will leave tonight. There’s a jet waiting for us. We’ll fly to London in four hours. Go home, get your passport. You have one, right?”
I nodded, feeling a rush of butterflies in my stomach. “Yes.”
“I’ll meet you at the end of your driveway.” He glanced at his watch. “Let’s say, in two hours?”
“I’ll go now.”
“You’re okay to drive?”
“Of course.” I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his waist, hugging him tight. “Thank you.”
I wanted to say I loved him, that what he was doing meant the world to me. That this, after what had happened to Ben, was the bravest thing anyone had ever done for me.
“Eloise,” I whispered. “She looks well.”
“You’ll be together again soon.”
I grabbed his shirt. “Tell them to keep her safe until I can get to her.”
“She won’t leave our sight.”
“Thank Greyson and his girlfriend for me. For helping with Inaya.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Did I guess wrong? The blonde woman with Greyson. Blue streak in her hair.”
Atticus’ eyes widened in horror, and then he quickly hid his expression. “Go home.”
I reached for his hand and lifted it to my mouth, pressing a kiss to the snake tattoo as though it was a living, breathing entity.
A shadowy figure drew our attention.
Atticus pulled his hand away.
Rylee hurried toward us. “You two need to be more careful.” She sounded out of breath.
“I’m looking for Stella,” Atticus said.
“Lance has her in a dungeon” Rylee said. “You have to get her out of there. I tried, but Lance had me thrown out.”
“Take me there.” He nudged her forward.
Atticus and I hurried alongside Rylee towards the elevator.
“Did he hurt you?” I asked her.
“I’m fine.” She shuddered as though shaking off Lance’s touch.
“The stairs,” said Atticus.
We burst into the stairwell and descended, our feet echoing on the stone steps as we sped downward, soon reaching the lowest level.
We followed Rylee along the corridor, retracing her steps, passing chamber after chamber, until she finally paused before one.
She opened the door and hurried in with us following.
The chamber was empty.
