Page 128 of Chandelier Enthralled
“So sad. You know his boyfriend works here?”
“Yes, Chad?”
“Did he ask you to help him?”
“Kind of.”
“Anything interesting come up?”
“It might be connected to Lance Merrill’s death.”
“That’s senior level shit. Don’t.”
“Don’t look into it?”
“Dean was digging around where he shouldn’t. No guardrails, if you know what I mean.”
“I don’t think I do.”
“Dean’s boss atThe Timeshad no clue what he was working on. Look, once you get close to billionaires, especially oil tycoons like Lance Merrill, and start digging into their business, you’re treading on dangerous ground.” She glanced at her watch. “You better head up.”
I took her advice and rode the elevator to the top floor.
Jewel’s receptionist wore an expression that reminded me of someone who’d bitten a bee; the woman seemed as intimidating as her boss. After a while, she finally looked up from her screen and, without a word, tapped on her phone to notify Jewel I had arrived. The coldness in her demeanor didn’t sit well with me. It was as if everyone around here was part of some silent conspiracy to bring my spirits down.
I was told to go in, and I nodded in thanks, psyching myself up to face off with the woman Cameron had described as evil.
My heart was racing as I strolled through her glass doorway.
Jewel Hadley sat behind her desk, speaking on the phone. She raised a finger, signaling me to wait until she was done. The gesture was a clear warning not to sit yet.
She looked truly stunning in black and white Chanel, her hair perfect. She sat there like running a billion-dollar news empire came as second nature to her—calm and collected, with eyes as sharp as a predator’s.
She studied me intently, sizing me up, ready to take a bite.
Her office was breathtaking, perched high above the city. If this was a skyscraper cock fight, the Coles would win with their grand tower, the tallest in the city.
This was the same building Greyson had designed, and for some reason knowing that made me happy.
Her office was immaculate. A massive glass desk sat in the center with files neatly stacked across the top.
Finally, Jewel hung up the phone and stared at me, not saying anything, merely letting the tension play out.
I really hoped she hadn’t recognized me at Pendulum.
Her sensuality was a thing to behold. She rose and rounded the desk, drawing closer to me, her beauty like a mask. Her scent was subtle yet tinged with something seductive, like a secret aphrodisiac.
“How are you?” I said, trying to read her.
“Let’s not begin with small talk.”
I gave a nod and raised my chin, trying to exude confidence.
“I hear you impressed Julia.” She came out and said it.
“That’s good to hear.”
“It’s me you have to impress, though, Willa.”
