Page 123 of Chandelier Enthralled
“What do you want?”
“To give back to the world. I want my life to have meaning.”
“You have everything a woman could want. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want. You can afford to buy whatever your heart desires. Why choose to place yourself in harm’s way?”
I’d never known him to be this chauvinistic. Had I just not noticed this about him before?
I nudged his arm. “If you want to tell me what the danger is, it would be super helpful.”
“Am I speaking with the journalist or my sister?”
“Both.”
“Correction, sister. This is off the fucking record.”
“Of course it is. I’d never do anything to put you at risk. Family is everything.”
“Henry and I love you more than life itself.”
“You’re the best example of what men should be,” I said softly. “Though it is the twenty-first century.”
He smiled. “Hadn’t noticed.”
I pointed towards the horse. “Seriously, do you really want me to just go riding every day and not work? Not have a chance to fulfill my potential?”
“Do you believe you can think critically, at least?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then take another look.”
The animal was exquisite, her long neck reaching low as she grazed, tugging out blades of grass and munching on them without a care.
“Is that meant to represent me?” I hated my brother’s riddles.
“She was your age,” he began. “Loved horses as much as you. Wanted to explore life, just as you do. Followed her instincts. Became a member of a club that offered the chance for women to explore their sexual fantasies. Only what she did not realize was, she had entered one of the most dangerous clubs in the world. Soon, she was being asked to do things she didn’t want to do. She didn’t make it, Willa. That horse lost its owner.”
A cold chill washed over me. “This horse?”
“Yes.”
The mare was never intended for me.
“What was her name?”
“You can’t know it. If you ever go back to Pendulum. They might interrogate you.”
His words stunned me.
“I thought what you were trying to say…”
“I wanted to convey how grave the situation can become. Working for a woman like Jewel would place you in danger.”
I stared at him. “I have your approval to move forward with this?”
“Depends on what this is?”
“My investigation into Jewel.”
