Page 233 of Chandelier Sin
I heard my ragged breathing in the stillness as I got to my feet, feeling desperate to leave this room and search for Eloise.
Fear of losing her all over again caused a surge of panic inside me. Digging my fingernails into my palms, trembling, I rallied my strength. I was capable of doing what had to be done.
I would get out of this room and search for my daughter.
I tried the door handle, knowing it would be locked.
Then I heard a soft sigh come from the bed, beneath the sheets.
I turned that way to make sure I’d not imagined it.
I moved closer to the bed, my flesh becoming clammy with uncertainty.
A familiar sound reached my ears…soft breathing.
There, barely visible beneath the bundle of sheets, lay a small child. I knew it was her before I approached her.
Dear God…tell me this is real.
Tell me this is really happening.
Eloise was sound asleep. She looked peaceful as the moonlight flickered shadows of palm fronds across her face, as though they waved with joy that she was here.
I reached out to touch her, needing to caress her pink cheek to prove to myself she was real.
But I pulled my hand back, fearing I’d wake her.
“Eloise.” I whispered her name like a quiet prayer.
She was here, with me. My heart contracted with raw emotion as I told myself that this was not a dream. My child lay close enough to touch, to hold, and to love.
From what I could see of her above the sheets, she wasn’t injured.
I detected a blur of movement on the balcony.
I jolted, ready to defend my daughter against anyone who got close to her.
It was Shay. He appeared as the curtain billowed around him.
His rugged face softened with the understanding that he’d scared me. He raised his index finger to his lips, warning me to remain silent.
I pressed my hand over my mouth to suppress a scream as I tried to assess whether he was a threat to us.
Glancing at Eloise, I feared I’d let her down by making her vulnerable.
“I’m here for you,” said Shay quietly.
The shock dissipated as I realized this was the plan they’d decided on before we’d even entered the house. Because Navy SEALs extracted victims covertly.
Victim. I’d always hated that word.
Bravely, I stepped forward. “What about Atticus?”
I refused to leave him in this house—with thatman.
“I can’t leave him,” I whispered harshly.
But then I looked at Eloise again, knowing he was right. We had no choice but to leave. I had to get her to safety.
