Page 259 of Chandelier Sin
“Being understood means everything to me. Aemon tormented all those women at Pendulum.”
“Now it’s over and you’re free.”
“I can give Eloise the life she deserves, a life unmarred by a monster.”
“Stay with me, at my place. Permanently, if you like.” My heart leaped as the words tumbled out, the words I’d practiced so I could get them right.
She reached for my hand and held it.
We took this time to savor our understanding of each other as precious seconds passed, too much time falling between us and yet not enough.
“Now that we’re close,” she said softly, “are you open to sharing the origin of your tattoo?”
We both glanced down at my hand, at the curling snake whose head nudged my fingers.
I pulled my hand back. “I was informed of a surgical case in the ER. A young woman who needed immediate attention.”
“I see.”
“I should have fought harder to be my sister’s surgeon. She deserved my help.” I took a few seconds to swallow my grief. “I inked my hand with a snake as a reminder to never second guess myself again.”
I would never make that same mistake—let someone I love die.
She reached out and ran her finger over the image of the reptile. “We’re both marked.” Eve twisted her wrist showing me her barcode. “I didn’t want to wear my bracelet tonight. You wear your pain for everyone to see, even if they don’t know what they’re looking at. I wanted to show you I can, too.”
“Maybe get a tattoo to cover it. Choose a symbol that gives you strength.”
“Maybe I will.”
“Whenever you get the chance to do the right thing,” I said, “do it without hesitancy.”
“I promise I will.”
She suddenly shivered.
“Are you warm enough?” I was ready to offer her my jacket.
“I have to return to Pendulum. I just can’t go on with my life knowing the others are still there.”
“I’m handling it.”
“I don’t understand why I didn’t see it, didn’t grasp what was going on there.”
“It’s not your fault, Eve.”
“I choose to take responsibility.” She leaned her elbows on the table. “Let me do that at least.”
“You’re as much a victim as they are. I don’t like the idea of you going back.”
“I understand that. But this isn’t about you.”
I shook my head. She was out of danger now, and I needed her to stay that way.
“Also, I’m going back home—or what used to be my home. I want everything to appear as business as usual.”
“No.” I met and held her gaze.
“You don’t get to control what I do.”
