Page 16 of Chandelier Enthralled
“Now there’s a delicious threat.” She paused and then added, “Let’s discuss your fourth partner.”
I studied her expression to see if she was bluffing.
She couldn’t know it was Cole.
And here was me walking towardshisfucking car. The one I’d arrogantly borrowed to get here.
Shit.
I’d have to get a taxi. Retrieve his BMW later.
“Your fourth partner has more to lose than anyone, Greyson. Otherwise, wouldn’t he allow his identity to be known?”
“What fourth partner?”
That made her smile, and it was one of those ruthless smirks that showed her vindictiveness.
My gut twisted. Did she already know who it was or was she just fishing for answers?
“Cole Tea’s shareholders will run screaming for the exits when they see the golden child is buying a sex club. The stock will tank so fast it’ll make headlines of its own.”
He used to own Chrysalis and Enthrall, so she really was out of the loop.
Looking away, I considered how best to deny Cole had anything to do with our impending deal to own Pendulum. We’d given Cameron our word that no one would know he was part of this takeover. I racked my brain to figure out how she could have discovered Cameron was part of the deal. A secret partner was meant to remain just that.
We all wanted to cleanse that club and flush out the evil. But this woman was in our fucking way.
“You’re wrong, Jewel, and embarrassingly off.”
This was probably a wild guess of hers.
Slowly and deliberately, I turned to face her.
My tone was smooth as glass. “Your intel is flawed. I have no idea where you get your stories, but they’re wrong. As wrong as your fucking morals. If you’re willing to get in the ring with me, prepare to be knocked out cold. You’re a criminal. You’ll end up exactly where people like you belong, rotting in a cell. Or worse, bait for the company you keep.”
“I don’t think so.” Her gaze was cold and calculating. “Powerful men love to play hard with the beauties I provide. They’ll do everything they can to keep their supply coming.”
“We stopped that.”
“Did you, though?”
My stare cut through her bravado. “Take a good look at me. I’m the man who leavesyouwith nothing but regrets. Remember that.”
“That’s right, Greyson, you’re the man who plays both sides. You once took a seat beside Roper, as a guest in the High Chamber, and observed the horrors he offered up.”
I looked away.
Her tone was triumphant. “I won’t tell them you visited the sixth floor. Just be compliant.”
I’d asked to be part of the ceremonyonce. When Atticus had unwittingly gone up there, I had to make sure he got out.
Jewel could use this against me.
“They don’t need to know,” she said. “In exchange, you will walk away from the deal at Pendulum. And then you will walk away from your friends. Let me have them. I’ll let you remain a member of Pendulum, if you’re a good boy.”
“Fuck off.”
She smirked. “How apropos. I’m heading back now for a fuck. Join me. This sexual tension has me all riled up.”
