Page 242 of Chandelier Sin
“Eve and Eloise will recover.”
“That young lady needs a father figure.” He narrowed his gaze on me.
“I’ll be there to support Eve, yes.”
“When the time is right, do you believe you’ll continue your relationship?”
“She’s probably lived through enough stress. A man like me—”
“Maybe it’s time to explore your opinion of yourself.”
My back stiffened. “What you did for us was extraordinary.”
“I touched a nerve, Atti. Tell me about that.”
I ignored the request. “I owe you a debt.”
He leaned back against the desk. “Repay me now.”
“Okay, what do you have in mind?”
“My accountant, who’s a stickler for numbers, calculated the cost of fuel for the plane, and payment for the pilot, the staff. The cost of maintenance and landing in Thailand. It all adds up.”
“I fully intend to pay back everything.”
“On your salary, that will take decades.”
I thought quickly. “I have my investments with Jake and Greyson. I could cash them out. Have Jake buy me out, perhaps.”
He gestured to his high-backed chair.
Oh, that’s what this was—his way.
I frowned. “I’m not pandering to your fucked up psychological entertainment.”
“Sit down.”
“Don’t order me to sit.”
“Mia and I are going to babysit Eloise. That way, tonight, you can both visit Chrysalis. Have dinner there.”
“Why would you…?”
“As a thanks to you.”
“What have I done?”
“Eliminated two of the most dangerous men in our community.”
He just came out and admitted he knew I was part of that resolution.
“Lance stepped on that floor of his own accord,” I pointed out.
“Yes, but you planted a seed,” he said. “Made him chase after a Board seat. That greed led him to his destination. You knew him well.”
He was right, of course. I had spurred Lance on.
“Someone is looking out for you from inside Pendulum,” he added. “Do you sense it?”
