Page 43 of Chandelier Sin
Then I saw Ben’s shoe discarded in the corner, and panic rose in my chest.
My fault.
Aemon followed my line of sight toward the loafer and then studied my expression. “Someone didn’t clean up.”
Monster!
My eyes reflected this accusation, hurled at him in a flash of anger.
The back of his hand met my face, and I slumped to my knees, stunned by the blow.
Shaking, I reached for the edge of the table, trying to drag myself up. My other hand touched my mouth to suppress the sting, and I saw bloody residue on my fingertips.
Beads of sweat formed on my brow.
They’ll move Eloise.
I’ll never find her.
Peering up at Aemon, I tried to read his expression, fearing what he might have done to Ben.
“Tell me you didn’t hurt a man for nothing.” I tried to stand. “You got it all wrong, Aemon. You should have asked me first.”
He pressed a foot on my stomach, preventing me from getting up.
It was more than cruel, keeping a daughter from her mother, keeping them apart in any capacity. I didn’t need to say it, didn’t need to yell.
He knew.
“Why are you like this?” The words spilled out before I could stop them.
“Why areyoulike this?” he asked bitterly, applying more weight.
“We should… talk,” I said, my voice sounding weak.
He backed away.
“Get out of my sight,” he snarled. “I’ll finish with you later.”
“What did you do to Ben?”
Fury filled his eyes.
I needed to find Ben, needed to see he wasn’t hurt.
I crawled away before Aemon could strike me again.
Cameron and Greyson arrived ahead of me.
The Marina Del Rey Yacht Club was a usual haunt for these two happy billionaires. They could grab something to eat in the lavish restaurant before heading out on the water on one of their floating palaces.
In the harbor floated the showiest O’Remington, which belonged to Cameron Cole. Greyson’s yacht was harbored elsewhere.
I kept my feet firmly on land.
These gentlemen loved their philanthropic projects, but boy did they live an entirely different existence compared to most of the population.
It’s not like I didn’t get paid well, but compared to my buddies, I was the one who lived modestly. When invited to polo or lavish parties, I never failed to be amused by their lifestyle.
