Page 265 of Chandelier Sin
Intending to appear ready to join the fray, I’d worn my finest tuxedo, tailored by London’s Savile Row. I eased my bowtie away from my throat, feeling stifled by it.
One day, and hopefully soon, I’d take Eve and Eloise to England and perhaps visit the rest of Europe, too. Over the last month I’d had a lot of time to think and plan and hope, and all of that had given me the strength to go on.
My masquerade mask rested on the bar beside my tumbler full of bourbon, ready to be worn with the verve of the forbidden.
Suddenly, and without the warning I would have preferred, I saw Rylee fast approaching, clearly not reading my social cues to “fuck off.”
She landed on the barstool beside me. “Haven’t seen you for a while.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Heard you took a break from work.”
“Who told you that?”
“Jake.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re still talking with him?”
She gestured to the barman and told him she’d have what I was drinking. “So, you’re not here to meet him?” she asked, looking at me.
“How do you mean?”
“He’s here with a Dominatrix.”
“What are you talking about?” I snapped.
“Stella spent time with Cameron.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I recalled being tasked with dropping off that mysterious invite for Stella Adair atSave Face, the makeup store at the mall—a clandestine summons to Chrysalis. It sounded like it had all worked out for them. Cole had trained Stella, and she was probably with Jake right this second in one of the chambers.
“What are you thinking about?” Rylee asked.
“Very mature of you to give Jake and Stella your blessing.”
“You look rough,Sinclair.”
I caressed my stubble. “Didn’t shave.”
“I can see that.”
I looked her up and down. “Looking pretty. Ready to lure a Lance 2.0?”
“I’m off men right now.”
“Now that I believe.”
“Did you hear?” She leaned in. “The High Chancellor died in Thailand.”
I faked interest. “How?”
“Not sure, but I heard it was gruesome.”
“How’s his widow?”
Rylee narrowed her gaze. “Seems to be coping. Still wearing her wedding ring and that big ole rock on her left hand.”
I reached for my glass and took a sip, hoping to erase the bad taste in my mouth.
