Page 211 of Chandelier Sin
Two uninvited guests promised a unique kind of entertainment for the onlookers. A palpable crackle of excitement filled the room, the guests no doubt anticipating what would come next.
Aemon stood some distance from the dais, looking intrigued. Jewel leaned back casually in her chair, just as fascinated. If anyone could save Lance, she could.
The masked man to their left was silently watching the crowd like he always did.
Stella spoke up nervously. “I should go.”
The music dimmed to accommodate the interruption.
“Gentlemen.” Lance raised his voice so everyone could hear. “I’ve brought a gift.”
Stella bolted, but she was quickly prevented from escaping by two robed men. They handled her with their usual disrespect for trespassers—roughly forcing her to her knees.
Her long black mane fell over her face, her body trembling, hands shaking. Then, as though sensing a kind presence, she peered between the strands of hair and locked eyes with me.
I stepped into the center and faced the dais. “Gentlemen, this one belongs to Le Chambre.”
It was worth a try.
Subtly, Aemon shook his headno,warning there could be no change in protocol, that Stella was as much at risk as Lance.
“This is most unusual.” Atticus just came out and said it as though he were siding with them.
I turned to look at him. “It is done.”
It was a warning for him to think fast.
We needed to take the situation into our own hands, own the moment and grab back the power the best way we knew.
We were going to have to do the unthinkable—play along.
Those who knew me respected me. Some feared me, and others kept their distance, but my word meant something in this place.
Atticus approached Stella. “You again,” he said, and his eyes sparkled with reassurance.
He was trying to keep her calm, prevent her from panicking and making a scene.
She widened her eyes as though begging for help.
“Stand,” he demanded of her.
She rose, unable to take her gaze off him.
“Stella.” His voice was a whisper. “Don’t react to what you see or hear.”
She stuttered out, “I want to go.”
He leaned toward her and whispered, “No.”
Surely, she knew he was trying to save her life, and that if she did exactly as he asked, she might live.
Even as he reached out and gripped her throat, saying, “We can’t let you leave.”
If A.J. had been taken off Lance’s boat, that might have been the catalyst for him to bring Stella here.
Who knew what that fucking psychopath was thinking.
I gripped Stella’s throat, hearing her labored breathing as she stared into my eyes.
