Page 283 of Chandelier Sin
Greyson stared off into space, unresponsive.
I caressed my brow. “I found him pulling books off a shelf, trying to find answers.”
“I see.” Cameron nodded thoughtfully.
“Eloise?” I whispered.
I was questioning if it was safe for the children to be under the same roof as an unhinged man.
Cole shook his head. “Eve came and took Eloise away.”
That revelation hit me like a jolt of electricity.
Her leaving with Eloise made it seem final. It made my stomach twist with uncertainty.
Cameron sensed my mood and reached out and touched my arm for a beat.
Greyson leaped out of the chair and hurried toward Cameron’s bookshelf, staring at the spines to read the titles.
After a few minutes, Cameron managed to convince Greyson to sit down again, and then he knelt before him. “I know,” he said softly.
Greyson cringed, full of shame.
Cameron remained calm. “It was predictable.”
I gritted my teeth, desperate to hear Greyson’s confession.
It was hard to stay silent. I had the urge to grip Greyson’s shoulders and shake him until he talked.
Cameron gave me a look to show it was imperative he handle this situation.
Greyson focused on me. “We were right there. Close to getting them out.”
I swapped a glance with Cole.
“Amelia betrayed you,” said Cole.
Greyson nodded. “I trusted Amelia. Let her in.”
Cameron reached for his clenched fists and forced them open. “We would have done the same.”
“I killed them.” Greyson stared at the floor. “All of them.”
“No, you didn’t,” said Cole, pushing to his feet.
Greyson shook his head. “Because of me they didn’t escape.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, realizing what Jewel had told him. She had riled him up on purpose.
“They’re out,” I said.
Greyson looked pained. “She told me those women would suffer irrevocably because of me.”
“Of course, she’d say that,” I said.
“Jewel lied,” said Cameron, compassion in his voice. “They aresafe and out of Pendulum.” He squeezed Greyson’s shoulder. “Did you hear that, Greyson?”
My friend’s expression remained fraught. “I don’t understand.”
