Page 45 of Chandelier Sin
Jake was unwittingly jeopardizing us by stealing away the club’s most precious asset—an ingénue.
I faced the others. “In the early hours, there was an altercation at Jake’s place.”
“Rylee, is she okay?” Cameron’s concern was shared with Greyson.
There was no time to share the rest.
Jake was strolling toward us with the swagger of a retired football player with nothing else to prove.
All together, we entered the prestigious club.
The concierge escorted us to a table by a window. From here, we had a better view of Cameron’s admirable yacht “The Mrs.”
We were presented with menus from the friendly waiter.
Soon, we’d ordered our food with Greyson choosing a bottle of Napa white wine from a vineyard he liked—meaning he routinely ordered crates of the stuff from them.
Pretentious fucker.
Jake highjacked the conversation to discuss the latest news out of the NFL. His old team had purchased a linebacker, and he was obsessing over the decision.
Greyson shared glances with Cameron and I because he adored Jake and found his obsession amusing. The sports jock scared everyone except us because we knew his arrogance hid a goofy side.
Me, on the other hand, I had ice water running through myveins. My only obsession was medicine. I’d dedicated my life to surgery, so I respected Jake’s fanaticism.
Jake stopped talking and frowned at someone across the room.
We followed his line of sight and saw Jewel Delaney. She was having lunch with a young woman.
No fucking way.
It was the twenty-something Jake had rescued last night. She saw us staring and quickly rose from the table.
I couldn’t look away. Because it really was Stella.
I started to ask if he knew Stella would be here, but from his expression, I knew the answer wasno.Jake’s jaw flexed with annoyance.
He stood and followed her out of the dining room. I’d have done the same.
Cameron shot Jewel a warning glare, then refocused on me. “What happened at Jake’s’?”
I continued the story. “Rylee invited Lance home.”
“To Jake’s Mulholland house?” Greyson looked horrified. “Tell me she didn’t—”
“She did,” I said.
Cameron flinched.
I let out a sigh. “Jake discovered Lance in his bedroom, having you know what with his ex. He punched him.”
“Can’t blame him,” said Greyson.
Cameron remained quiet but caressed his temple as he processed the news.
I sipped my sparkling water, trying to cleanse my palate from having to think of Merrill in any capacity. “After Lance left the house, he sent a warning text to Rylee. He’s threatened to report Jake for hitting him.”
“He’s filing a police report?” said Cameron.
