Page 73 of Chandelier Sin
“Action?”
CRACK. A gunshot echoed from the direction of the cottage.
Don’t react.
Shivers slithered up my spine, causing the hairs on my nape to prickle. My palms became sweaty as the seconds dissolved.
Eve appeared to be holding her breath, her expression blank as though she’d become dissociated with reality.
She finally exhaled, her demeanor changing into one of calm acceptance, no doubt forged from years of mastering the fake smile.
“If you share what happened here with your friends,” said Aemon, “I will know. And I will annihilate them.”
The next time they stepped into Pendulum, they’d be at risk.
“I want reassurance they will remain unharmed,” I said fiercely. “This is a deal breaker.”
“That’s up to you, Sinclair.”
Eve nudged me aside and opened my car door, her hands trembling. “Thank you for visiting. We wish you a safe trip home.”
“She did nothing wrong,” I called over to Roper. “Merely called me to handle a medical situation.”
He ignored my assertion.
The scent of jasmine and honeysuckle would be soldered into my brain for eternity, a new trigger burrowing into dormancy.
Discreetly, I captured Eve’s gaze, pleading with my eyes for her to get in my car.
Come with me.
There’s nothing for you here.
She looked away, then said eloquently, “Your membership at Pendulum will be revoked if you continue to break the rules.”
Seconds passed but it felt like hours, with him studying my reaction to her, watching how well I’d processed hearing that ultimatum.
They’d executed Ben; I knew it, but my brain was having trouble processing the fact they’d just killed a man.
“Goodbye, Dr. Sinclair.” Eve’s words broke my trance.
I made eye contact with Roper one last time. “Thank you for the hospitality.”
He gave a nod, satisfied I’d be compliant.
I climbed in and pulled my car door closed, cursing myself for leaving the top down when I’d arrived.
A clear view of my head meant a clear shot.
Not looking at Eve again was the worst torture. For her sake, I acted like she drew no interest, hiding that just minutes ago, I’d nestled between her thighs and given her the orgasm she deserved.
With no choice but to leave without her, I navigated the endless driveway, glancing in my rearview to see if Eve appeared safe.
And there was no one with a gun pointed at me.
I reached the end of the driveway.
Why had they killed him?
