Page 9 of Chandelier Enthralled
After realizing my life had crashed and burned, I’d packed up a bag and hopped on a plane, telling no one—not even Hugo. I’d just turned up here and hoped for the best. I’d been too emotional to think straight—but with that potential job lined up I’d felt some sense of a future.
He hugged me tighter.
“You’re the only one who gets it,” I said.
“Henry’s good with these things, too.”
Because his wisdom knew no bounds. He’d literally been captured during a tour of duty in the Middle East. Then tortured. After that, our brother had returned home a changed man. We were all humbled by his sacrifice and bravery.
As bad as life seems, it was never that kind of experience where you were fighting for your life.
Cameron pulled away and gave me a reassuring smile. “Let’s spend the day together tomorrow. Would you like that?”
“I’d love it,” I said. But there was also somewhere else I had to be tomorrow. Telling him where would set off a thousand more questions.
“Stay for as long as you like,” he whispered.
His house was like a sanctuary. I could breathe freely here, knowing his presence was enough to quiet the storm.
Tomorrow, a mile from Cole Tower, I had the most important interview of my life. I just hoped that Cameron, whose opinion I trusted most in the world, wouldn’t be the one who tried to block my dream.
Ihated going against Cameron’s advice like this, potentially damaging a relationship that went back years.
But I saw no other choice.
It would probably be Pendulum that broke our friendship.
I parked his BMW a long way down the street making sure it was out of sight from guests arriving or leaving Pendulum.
During the drive over, I recalled the times that Cole had mentioned a sister, but nothing had prepared me for meeting her. I felt compelled to find out more about her, but at the same time, I was wise enough to know she was forbidden.
Even though it was Amelia who drew me back to Pendulum, it washerI was thinking of—the woman in the hallway. She had bewitched me completely.
It’s best to forget her.
I hoped Cole came to understand why I had to return to Pendulum, despite the risk.
The club’s security guard welcomed me back as I strolled through the foyer.
The hardwood floors bore witness to the privilege that permeated each room. The place resonated with entitlement.
I asked the concierge to order me a taxi and have the driver wait at the back of the club. I offered to pay the driver double for having them wait for an undisclosed amount of time.
I didn’t expect to be long.
My thoughts flew back to Cameron’s hallway and that ethereal vision backlit by the chandelier. A rare beauty edged with unyielding elegance. There was something about her, even though she hadn’t said a word, and I had experienced a visceral response to her—something that slipped past reason and took hold of me, a sensation I couldn’t fathom.
Stop thinking of her.
I needed to be alert.
I may be hurt beyond repair, but it was here, on the brink, that I saw everything clearly—knew the extremes needed to end this.
I encountered familiar faces, the usual members seemingly unscathed or unbothered by recent events.
Amelia wouldn’t be bold enough to come back.
Even thinking that, I strolled along the hallways searching for her.
