Page 53 of Chandelier Enthralled
“Do they know you’re Pendulum’s grand architect?” she said, enjoying this.
I shrugged.
“That surprises me,” she said. “You looked so concerned when I offered to share that secret. You preemptively confessed it to them?”
“Everyone out,” I yelled.
Gradually, the men got to their feet and made their way to the exits.
Time to die.
She peered over my shoulder at someone and laughed, and it sounded sinister, and arrogant, and tethered in power.
Firm hands gripped my shoulders, pulling me backwards.
I caught a glimpse of a tuxedo and then heard the familiar growl of Atticus as he forcefully ushered me out. I fought him, twisting to break his hold. With every ounce of his weight pressed against me, his body trembled with exertion, eyes wild as he gritted his teeth in defiance.
“She’s not worth it,” he said, hisvoice cracking under the strain, as if holding me back was his final act of resistance against my fate.
I fought against him, trying to get back into that room, but another set of hands gripped me, and I couldn’t push them off.
“Listen to me,” snapped Atticus, his voice deep and steady, the kind of voice that wrapped me in compassion. “Now is notthetime.”
“I have to—”
Atticus refused to let go of me. “You deserve to survive this place.”
“She murdered Amelia!” Glancing left, I looked into the eyes of Jake Carrington, his ironfisted grip causing me pain.
“If you touch her, Greyson,” he whispered, “she’ll win. Do you want that?”
“She already has,” I yelled.
“If you harm her, she’ll get everything—not just Pendulum, but your fucking soul.” Atticus led me farther down the hallway. “We won’t let that happen.”
“Get off,” I snapped, jaw tense with anger.
I’d been so close, I could taste her death, envision her bulging eyes as I squeezed all the life from her.
“Take a breath,” said Jake, helping Atticus pull me along the hallway, putting more distance between me and Hadley.
Soon, we were outside the front door and scurrying down the stairs. They probably wanted me out of the sight of security.
Atticus led us toward his car. “Jewel’s hired Cameron’s sister at Pulse360.”
“I know,” I said. “Cameron won’t let her go back.”
“Willa went back,” said Atticus.
Stunned, I tried to read the truth in their faces as to how Cameron had been unable to prevent that from happening.
My heart sank for Willa, for her safety, and our reluctance to share the truth.
“You don’t think me ending Jewel would keep Willa safe?” My voice was as sharp as a razor’s edge as I moved unwillingly with them toward the waiting car.
“Get in,” snapped Atticus.
I looked back toward Pendulum. “I was in the room with her,” I said in frustration. “I was right there.”
