Page 125 of Chandelier Enthralled
“Right.” I had a million questions but now was not the time. “Does Jewel know you are the fourth partner?”
“She suspects.”
“What could she do with this, Cameron?”
He looked away from me.
“You’re not concerned about the exposure?”
“No, news travels fast and then it dissipates,” he said.
“So, the threat is more about her taking over Pendulum?”
“Once the veil is lifted and you see what’s beyond, you’re never the same.”
“This is why I wanted to be a journalist,” I said. “To see the truth.”
“Sometimes the truth ruins lives.”
“I’m ready.” My mouth went dry with anticipation. “Why do none of you want Jewel to own Pendulum?”
“Jewel traffics women.”
I blinked at him, trying to comprehend why a wealthy woman would do such a thing. “She doesn’t need the money.”
Cameron gave me a look that saiddarling, naive child.
“It’s how she buys people,” I said, realizing. “Controls them.”
“She gives her clients what they need. It’s a power play,” he said. “Once she has the men entrapped, she owns them.”
“Where are these women? We must help—”
“We got them out. But there is evidence she will begin again.”
“We have to stop her.” I followed his line of sight toward the horse.
“That’s why we are buying Pendulum.”
“Just tell me no one died.” I tried reading his expression.
He kept staring at the mare.
“Amelia died because of her?” I asked.
“That’s what we believe. Amelia was also working for Jewel. She betrayed Greyson, and he’s brokenhearted over it.
“I understand now.” I shot him a look of concern. “Jewel must be wary of the enemies she’s made.”
“That’s the thing, Willa,” he said. “She gets to them first.”
“And you really believe she’s using me to get to you?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“She also knows you’ll figure that out.”
“It’s all like a chess game in the end.” Cameron shook his head.
