Page 279 of Chandelier Sin
He stormed toward me, forcing me to back out of the room.
Walking backwards, my heart started pounding as his powerful frame towered over me—even after our session in the ballroom.
Once outside the room, I grabbed his hand and led him down the hallway.
“Bit dramatic,” he said.
“I thought that about you,” I said, amused. “Don’t give up the day job.”
“Are you saying my acting career is over before it’s begun?” He tugged my hand. “Tell me you know where they are?”
“Amelia confessed. She hid them in the lower chambers. They’re in one of the dungeons.”
We hurried toward the stairwell, not waiting for the elevator.
He glanced at my hand. “Your ring.”
“I bribed Amelia.”
“Eve.” He let out a sigh of compassion.
I had no time to regret it, no chance to second-guess my decision.
Running with my heart in my throat, I prayed they’d be there, and hoped Amelia hadn’t spun another lie. Clearly Jewel had believed we’d never search down here. Or perhaps she was planning on moving them again.
Atticus and I paused before the dungeon door. The weight of this moment was too much to handle. Not finding them would break us after all these weeks of trying to make this escape plan a reality.
Unable to hold back another second, I shoved open the door.
Fearful eyes peered back at us. The women were gathered in groups of twos and threes, seemingly shielding each other.
I raised my hand. “We’re here to help you.”
Atticus stepped forward. “We know you’ve been held here against your will. We are getting you out of Pendulum.”
“I promise you can trust us,” I told them.
They still appeared hesitant.
I bolted toward the central table and started pushing it, leaning my full weight against it. Following my lead, Atticus joined me, placing his hands next to mine.
Together, we slid the entire table across the floor, revealing the secret steps beneath.
I heard the echo of sighs and whispers from behind us. They realized we meant it when we promised them their freedom. This was the way out.
I gestured down the stairs. “Follow me!”
“I’ll get them all through,” said Atticus.
Without hesitation, they followed me. All of us descending the stairwell, scurrying down and down until we reached the subterranean tunnel.
We ran in silence, the only noise being our footsteps and ragged breathing as we hurried along the dimly lit passageway.
This had been reserved for Aemon’s escape should he ever need it. Ironic that it was now being utilized to free those he’d captured.
If there was any lingering doubt, any fears, these women didn’t show it. They forged ahead, following me all the way to the end and out into the night.
The heat hit us, a sharp contrast to the air conditioning we were used to from the building.
