Page 46 of Chandelier Sin
I shook my head. “Lance is going to report Jake to Pendulum.”
Cameron ran his fingers through his hair. “Lance set him up.”
Jake reappeared with a grumpy expression as he rejoined usat the table. Apparently, whatever he’d discussed with Stella didn’t go well.
“I ordered you the salmon,” said Greyson.
“You couldn’t wait?” said Jake as he sat back down.
Greyson shook his head. “I’m starving.”
Stella strolled in literally seconds after him and made her way back to Jewel’s table.Herflushed expression was pure bliss. She’d gotten the Jake Carrington treatment. It tended to leave the subs spaced out and hopeful for more.
Greyson nudged Jake’s arm. “That’s the submissive you rescued last night, right?”
Cameron sat forward in a show of annoyance. “Name?”
Jake hesitated. “Stella.”
“She’s having lunch with Jewel Delany?” said Cameron, disapproval in his tone.
Jake shrugged as he watched the waiter pour wine into his glass. “Bit early for this.”
“It’s brunch,” I said, frustrated Jake hadn’t been more careful. He’d literally stepped into their trap. “Shut the fuck up and stop complaining,” I said.
He turned to me. “You’re in a mood.”
I waited for the waiter to go away. “It’s bad, guys. Many of the subs at Pendulum are coerced.”
They needed a few minutes to process that.
Each of us remained quiet as we mulled over the best way to move forward.
During my brief time in the stripper chamber with Elle and Rachel, they’d reluctantly confessed the truth, proving our suspicions.
Having to tell them both to sit tight for now had been the hardest thing I’d ever done. Pendulum couldn’t know we knew.
Jake made eye contact with Stella. Whatever had just happened between them had left them enamored of each other.
“Coincidence she’s here,” said Cameron, dryly. “What did you say to her?”
“She wants a Dom,” Jake said it like it was nothing.
“You?” Cole grimaced.
Jake’s shoulders dropped. “You’re bruising my ego.”
Cameron gave him awhat the fuckglare. “Let’s focus on why we’re here.”
Greyson leaned forward and broke my train of thought. “There’s been a hold up on the Pendulum contract. Maybe that’s a good thing.”
“Really?” I snapped. “I just told you there are women who need our help, and you want to back out?”
“Didn’t mean that.” Greyson leaned forward. “Gives us more time to research the place.”
Cameron agreed. “I concur.”
Greyson’s formality and Cameron’s stoic attitude fit right in here. For all the obvious reasons, I wasn’t in the mood for passivity.
