Chapter Twenty-Eight
I t was a crisp Friday morning, and I was back in the car with my brother. I knew an unwelcome conversation was looming.
This didn’t feel like a trip out for brunch.
Cameron was seriously quiet, driving his BMW with a steady focus. While I was still having trouble shaking off the effects of Pendulum—and him.
Greyson was a mystery, and I couldn’t let him go, couldn’t forget the brief but compelling intimacy we’d shared at that sinister club.
Pendulum was so much more than it first appeared. I remained overwhelmed by a mixture of awe and wonder and confusion, thinking of the hauntingly beautiful music of last night that served as backdrop to the vision I’d seen.
I’d become the voyeur.
Memories of the erotic scene stillleft me breathless, as if I’d stepped into a world where time had slowed, and nothingwas real. The performance had awakened something deep inside me, sparking a need to explore my own desires in ways I never thought possible.
Yesterday, while driving me away from Greyson’s Hollywood Hills estate, Cameron hadn’t asked me anything at all, which was strange.
Guilt washed over me for not going into work today. I’d be missed, then probably fired, so this might be his strategy.
So far, Cameron had refused to tell me where we were going, and we’d been driving for an uncomfortably long time. He kept looking at me with an intense expression of concern.
Oh, God, he knows about Pendulum.
Finally, he broke the silence. “Thought we’d get out of the house for a while.”
I turned in my seat to look at him—really look at the man who everyone hero worshipped. I’d seen it at family gatherings, at the parties he had thrown and the dinner events he’d hosted. He was often surrounded by close friends who always deferred to his opinion on important matters.
Even so, sharing my experience with him was hard because I did not want him to put me off from digging further for information. Jewel was the story, there was no doubt in my mind—I just needed an angle.
“Nice music,” I said. “Who is this?”
‘“Experience’ by Ludovico Einaudi.” He glanced over. “It’s sublime.”
“It is,” I agreed.
Greyson had used that word to describe me yesterday, in his kitchen. Minutes later, he’d looked like he was going to kiss me, but instead, he’d interrogated me.
My disappointment had been obvious, like a spoiled girl not getting what she wanted. He must have been put off by that.
The notes of the Einaudi song had begun softly, gradually building to a sound that danced between hope and melancholy, moments of calm stirring up visions of rare beauty. When I glanced over at Cameron, I knew he drew comfort from it.
He was scared for me, that’s what I sensed from this moment.
Cameron eventually pulled the car over and parked on a tree-lined street.
We started walking alongside a fenced-in field, a vast emerald expanse that stretched onward toward a hill.
As though conjured from a dream, I saw a white mare, her silken mane rippling in the gentle breeze. After staring over at us for a few seconds, she resumed grazing.
The tranquil scene made me feel a sense of peace.
Then, realizing what this was about, I felt a deep sadness.
Cameron leaned against the fence, contemplating my reaction. The mare was obviously a gift from him.
I closed my eyes, sensing what he was trying to do.
Memories flooded in of those days I’d spent with my own horse, a gift from my parents when I was a teenager. That was long ago now, and though I still loved to ride from time to time, owning a horse carried with it the kind of responsibility that would distract me from my dreams.
Spending my days living a leisurely existence, a selfish existence, where all I did was lunch with friends and shop and think only of myself, wasn’t me anymore.
I wanted to give something back.
I glared at Cameron, annoyed that he had assumed this was a better choice for me, that he had not asked me about this first. How could he have read me so wrong?
I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration. I’d ventured into Pendulum and gone too far, dared too much, and this was his way of placating me.
“We are going to have a challenging conversation,” he said, meeting my gaze.
“Bit serious.” Stay calm.
“You have no intention of leaving Pulse360?”
I shrugged and hoped it didn’t come off as petulant.
“Willa, we don’t get to move through the world without security.”
Being the daughter of a billionaire brought its own complications. Friends either avoided me or wanted to get closer—for the wrong reasons. It was hard to know who to trust. And yes, security was part of the price.
“Are you ready to talk about what happened in New York?” His tone was comforting. “With Hugo—”
“I already texted him.” Last night, after visiting Greyson. “Gave him a week to find somewhere else to go.”
“That’s good.”
The silence lingered.
“What do you know about evil?” he asked.
That was not how I saw this going. “What do you know about evil?”
“Answer the question.”
I paused, surprised. “It’s destructive. Cruel and…”
Cameron nodded, and his eyes filled with sadness. “And so much more than that. Evil isn’t just about actions. It seeps into you if you expose yourself to it.”
“Who are we talking about?”
“I want to make sure you’re ready for what I’m about to share with you. If you ever face it again.”
“Greyson told you about Pendulum?”
“We’re not even discussing Pendulum yet.”
I swallowed hard. “Oh?”
“You went into work to quit. And didn’t.”
“Not going in this morning will get me fired.”
“Good.”
“This is what this is about?” I pointed towards the horse. “You’re trying to placate me by buying me a horse?”
I cringed at how spoiled I sounded. But him treating me like this was frustrating.
“You’ve always been like this,” I said. “You and Henry have always underestimated me. I’ve seen you live your lives to the fullest. You make your own choices, your own decisions. Why don’t I get the same opportunity? Because I’m a woman?”
“That’s what you think?”
“Yes, that’s what this is. You are trying to bully me into leaving a job I want to keep. Even if my boss is a kinky bitch, she’s a woman in a man’s world.”
“That’s one way to put it.”
“What has she done? Run with a story that hurt someone’s career? I understand that’s wrong, but I hardly ever see her.” I didn’t want to admit to him that I knew Hadley was dangerous.
“You’ll see her more if you write a story about her.”
I snapped my jaw shut, frustrated that he had guessed what I was working on—or more likely, Greyson had told him.
He looked off in the distance. “We could buy you a news station.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are you even listening to me?”
“I am.”
“You always do this,” I whispered angrily. “You try to change people’s lives for the better, but what if you’re wrong? What if this time you trying to protect me ends up destroying me?”
“How dramatic.”
“Cameron, how about asking me what I need, what I want? Ask me what kind of life I want.”
“What do you want?”
“To give back to the world. I want my life to have meaning.”
“You have everything a woman could want. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want. You can afford to buy whatever your heart desires. Why choose to place yourself in harm’s way?”
I’d never known him to be this chauvinistic. Had I just not noticed this about him before?
I nudged his arm. “If you want to tell me what the danger is, it would be super helpful.”
“Am I speaking with the journalist or my sister?”
“Both.”
“Correction, sister. This is off the fucking record.”
“Of course it is. I’d never do anything to put you at risk. Family is everything.”
“Henry and I love you more than life itself.”
“You’re the best example of what men should be,” I said softly. “Though it is the twenty-first century.”
He smiled. “Hadn’t noticed.”
I pointed towards the horse. “Seriously, do you really want me to just go riding every day and not work? Not have a chance to fulfill my potential?”
“Do you believe you can think critically, at least?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then take another look.”
The animal was exquisite, her long neck reaching low as she grazed, tugging out blades of grass and munching on them without a care.
“Is that meant to represent me?” I hated my brother’s riddles.
“She was your age,” he began. “Loved horses as much as you. Wanted to explore life, just as you do. Followed her instincts. Became a member of a club that offered the chance for women to explore their sexual fantasies. Only what she did not realize was, she had entered one of the most dangerous clubs in the world. Soon, she was being asked to do things she didn’t want to do. She didn’t make it, Willa. That horse lost its owner.”
A cold chill washed over me. “This horse?”
“Yes.”
The mare was never intended for me.
“What was her name?”
“You can’t know it. If you ever go back to Pendulum. They might interrogate you.”
His words stunned me.
“I thought what you were trying to say…”
“I wanted to convey how grave the situation can become. Working for a woman like Jewel would place you in danger.”
I stared at him. “I have your approval to move forward with this?”
“Depends on what this is?”
“My investigation into Jewel.”
“We can advise you where the danger lies. We can do everything within our power to prevent any harm from coming to you. But preventing you from living your life to the fullest? That’s not who we are.”
“Cameron,” I said, tears filling my eyes.
“We must let you go.” He hung his head, his tone filled with sadness. “Step out of your way, as much as it terrifies us. We love you and will always be here for you.”
My shoulders slumped with relief, my sense of power returning, my sense of purpose stronger than ever. “She really is a beautiful horse.”
“She really is.” Cameron smiled and it made him look so damn vulnerable. “I ask one thing of you, Willa.”
“Protect the family at all costs.” I gave a nod. “Don’t worry, I won’t sell you out for a story.”
“Yes, that, and please be careful.”
“Always.”
“We believe Jewel Hadley targeted you. I know it’s not what you want to hear. But it’s obvious to us. She has her sights set on you.”
“But I’ll hardly see her.”
“Did you hear what I just told you? She is a clear and present danger to you.”
“How?” I swallowed hard. “You really believe she targeted me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then I’ll use that,” I said stubbornly.
He drew in a sharp breath. “We wait for Jewel to show her belly.”
“You need my help,” I reasoned. “I’m already in there.”
“She’s terrifyingly smart and has no conscience.”
“I promise I’ll be careful.”
“Jewel will hurt you. Then, she’ll take your pain and spin it into hate and turn it back on you.” He looked away. “And she could use you to hurt us.”
“She has nothing on you, Cameron, right?”
His gaze met mine. “Best hear this secret from me first.”
“Should I be worried?”
He let out a sigh. “Jake, Atticus and Greyson have a fourth partner in the purchasing of Pendulum.”
My throat tightened as I realized what he meant.
I had the sudden urge to run away, feeling confused over my brother having anything to do with Pendulum.
“So, you see,” he said, “my philosophy of protecting you is contradictory.”
“You’re into that…?”
“Rose told you about Enthrall and Chrysalis?”
“Yes, but she was vague.”
“They are sanctuaries.”
“Right.” I had a million questions but now was not the time. “Does Jewel know you are the fourth partner?”
“She suspects.”
“What could she do with this, Cameron?”
He looked away from me.
“You’re not concerned about the exposure?”
“No, news travels fast and then it dissipates,” he said.
“So, the threat is more about her taking over Pendulum?”
“Once the veil is lifted and you see what’s beyond, you’re never the same.”
“This is why I wanted to be a journalist,” I said. “To see the truth.”
“Sometimes the truth ruins lives.”
“I’m ready.” My mouth went dry with anticipation. “Why do none of you want Jewel to own Pendulum?”
“Jewel traffics women.”
I blinked at him, trying to comprehend why a wealthy woman would do such a thing. “She doesn’t need the money.”
Cameron gave me a look that said darling, naive child .
“It’s how she buys people,” I said, realizing. “Controls them.”
“She gives her clients what they need. It’s a power play,” he said. “Once she has the men entrapped, she owns them.”
“Where are these women? We must help—”
“We got them out. But there is evidence she will begin again.”
“We have to stop her.” I followed his line of sight toward the horse.
“That’s why we are buying Pendulum.”
“Just tell me no one died.” I tried reading his expression.
He kept staring at the mare.
“Amelia died because of her?” I asked.
“That’s what we believe. Amelia was also working for Jewel. She betrayed Greyson, and he’s brokenhearted over it.
“I understand now.” I shot him a look of concern. “Jewel must be wary of the enemies she’s made.”
“That’s the thing, Willa,” he said. “She gets to them first.”
“And you really believe she’s using me to get to you?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“She also knows you’ll figure that out.”
“It’s all like a chess game in the end.” Cameron shook his head.
“The trick is for her to not see me coming.”
“Don’t get caught in Jewel’s crosshairs when she counterattacks.”
“Someone has to stop her,” I said.
“We are doing everything we can.”
“I need to do something, too,” I reasoned. “Maybe a story, or some kind of exposure that warns others about her.”
“An evil person eventually spirals into madness as their final act. She’ll unwittingly take herself out. Don’t get dragged down with her.”
“But until then?”
He wrapped his arm around me. “I can’t force you not to go back to Pulse360, but please, at least consider it.”
Stories were where the danger lay—the higher the danger the closer the truth became. I had already proven that.
And I would never tell my brother something just to placate him.
He already knew my answer.