Page 49 of Chandelier Sin
No one seemed to notice my surprise. They were too busy talking through the mess Jake had fallen into.
We were all vulnerable.
Jewel was also part of the plan to present Stella on a platter to the guy mesmerized by subs who looked an awful lot like his ex.
So damn obvious.
Staying away from Eve was the wisest decision.
I went to tuck my phone away, but then saw the notification.
Eve sent another text: “Want Pendulum? Then you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
Cameron’s focus narrowed in on me.
“Work,” I said. It was kind of true.
The relentless sway of the pendulum had voraciously consumed me.Shehad consumed me, the woman in the Venetian mask.
My new obsession had soughtmeout.
Cameron’s expression was grave as he looked at each one of us. “This is a highwire act. Don’t fucking fall.”
Idecided not to share Eve’s messages with the others.
I’d endured scrutiny from Cameron who’d guessed something was up—even though I’d maintained my best poker face.
I could handle Eve.
And anyway, right now, I didn’t need to be told to stay away from her. I handled my life just fine.
The rush of seeing her again was addictive.
Old patterns of suffering I’d put in my rearview were dragging me back into a drama-filled life. Once again, I felt a need to run toward the disaster.
Burn me up, bitches, and watch me rise.
Greyson paid the bill for our overpriced lunch, and we made our way out to the front of the club, handing our car keys over to the cheerful valet. He knew our tips would make his day.
Once Cameron, Greyson and Jake had sped off, I waited for the valet to bring round my McLaren. I was purposely holding back,not wanting my friends to see which direction I drove off in, since I wasn’t heading home to Playa del Rey. Instead, I would head inland.
The day was getting interesting.
Maybe it was my turn to be manipulated by Pendulum. Perhaps that’s all this intrigue was—nothing more than a ruse.
Still, we needed to figure out who the Board members were, and Eve had the answers.
I texted her back: Address?
Within seconds, she sent me a location in Beverly Glen.
I drove that way.
The warm breeze had me drawing back the McLaren’s top, and I donned my Ray-Bans to endure the glaring sun. I found it easy to enjoy this Sunday afternoon, speeding beneath a blue California sky while blasting Imagine Dragons. Singer Dan Reynolds was singing “Birds”,reminding me of the inevitability of things to come.
I drove fast on the 405, glad for a decent change from my monotonous routine. Surgery at Cedars, time at Chrysalis, some time at home, and then repeat.
Pendulum had brought new adventures—the showy hallways and dimly lit chambers had revealedher.
