Chapter Fifty-Four
I found a beautiful gown covered in silver sequins waiting for me in Greyson’s bedroom.
I wore it, as instructed by him in the note he had left for me.
He had departed the mansion before my arrival.
The dress clung to my form with an intimacy that felt almost indecent, and I knew he would be captivated with the way it looked on me. My hair tumbled in spirals over my shoulders, flowing like dark silk. My jewelry was exquisite, but not gaudy—so very me.
I felt alight with a sense of adventure from his enticing invitation.
A limo soon picked me up and I was driven to a sprawling mansion perched high on a canyon.
I entered the opulent manor known as Chrysalis, where the dress code whispered of secrets, of rituals and glamour, and I was deliciously intrigued, as he knew I would be.
Two days ago, we had landed back on American soil, having altered the course of history at Mont-Saint-Michel. That experience still clung to us; a life-altering ordeal that had seen a modern-day monster’s reign come to an end. Jewel Hadley had been claimed by the tide.
It was over.
All the bloodshed she had wrought was now replaced with a certainty she would never hurt anyone again. Her violent death was cause for rejoicing for some—but for most, her name would soon be forgotten. That carried its own kind of justice.
But I didn’t want to think of her now—or what we had all faced in France. Or that I had almost lost the man I had fallen for, deeper than I had ever believed possible.
Tonight, my thoughts were my own—and they were only of him.
Above me, suspended like a constellation, hung the most majestic chandelier I had ever seen, its crystal droplets shimmering. Each crystal held a secret of its own, refracting light in iridescent hues, casting a radiant glow over every corner of the foyer.
The chandelier, delicate and unyielding in its beauty, was a reminder to visitors that they, too, could shine with quiet strength.
The dreamy entrance hall was deserted, its marble floors gleaming.
A grand central staircase rose like an invitation to another time. This private club was steeped in opulence, and every inch of this space bore the unmistakable signature of my brother. Cameron had founded this secret society several years ago, and from what I could tell, still had influence here.
I understood how it could captivate so many, how it wrapped itself around the weary and broken, offering a refuge like salvation itself.
I belonged here, too.
Cherry blossom petals were strewn at my feet, and I followed the aromatic trail that led off to the right side of the staircase…toward a door.
I headed out into a sprawling and well-tended flower garden, soothed by the warm breeze on my skin, and continued along a neat pathway, following the scattering of blossoms.
Two peacocks wandered by me, barely giving me a passing look, their vibrant plumage shimmering in the moonlight. One of them spread their tail wide, showing off striking shades of indigo and turquoise. Together, they moved away in perfect harmony.
I looked up and saw Cameron walking toward me.
“Hi,” I said, surprised to see him, and a little confused.
“Hey.” With his hands in his pockets, he approached me at a leisurely pace. “What do you think?”
“Of Chrysalis?” I gave him a bright smile. “I love it. It’s not what I imagined.”
“What did you imagine?”
“Not sure. It’s grander and more…everything.”
“Underestimate me at your own risk.” He raised a finger. “And that goes for you, too, apparently.”
“Just doing my bit for journalism.”
“With what happened in Normandy? Good luck with that.”
“Right, who would believe me?”
He looked amused. “It would be considered fiction.”
“At least Greyson’s secret is safe.”
Cameron gave a nod. “As it should be.”
Jewel had taken his precious secret to the grave with her. His mother’s past would remain protected by time’s caress.
“I’ve not forgiven you.” Cameron came closer. “Just so you know.”
“For what? For attending the gala?” I acted surprised.
“Next time, do as you’re told.”
“No, I don’t think I will. You boys always want all the fun.”
He nudged my arm. “Speaking of fun, he’s waiting for you.”
“Why are you here?”
He glanced behind him. “He’ll tell you.”
I looked down at the petals on the ground, wishing I could gather them all up and hold onto them as a keepsake.
“Love you, sis.” Cameron gave me a hug. “Welcome to Chrysalis.”
“I’m approved?”
“My casa is your casa.”
“My sex club is your sex club,” I joked.
He threw his head back in a laugh. “I’m heading home. Mia and I are having dinner. I’m cooking my signature dish.”
“She’s a lucky lady.”
“I’m the lucky one.” He gave me an endearing smile and walked away.
Drawing in a sharp breath, unsure of what kind of conversation lay ahead, I made my way down the sprawling pathway, stirring up the intoxicating fragrance of the white petals as I walked.
Greyson stood beneath an awning, waiting for me. He looked sharp, as always, his tuxedo fitting him flawlessly.
His gaze met mine, but he didn’t smile.
“Intriguing invite,” I said. “Very cloak and dagger.”
“I know you love that stuff.” His eyes lit up. “The more intriguing the better for Willa Cole.”
I rushed into his arms.
“I missed you,” he said softly.
“Not as much as I missed you.” Crushed against his body, my cheek resting on his firm chest, I inhaled his sensual cologne.
Finally, I stepped back and reached for his palms to examine them, like I had so many times before. The cuts and bruises from where he had clung to the rocks—clung to life—were healing now.
We didn’t need to say anything, we both knew what France had done to us, how far it had pushed us—and how it had brought us closer.
“Well, I’m here now. What do you have planned?”
“We are going to explore the mansion, and all its delights.” His tone was heavy with promise. “But first, I wanted to let you know that while you were asleep last night, I completed the design for your house.”
I beamed up at him. “That’s wonderful, Greyson.”
“I think you’ll love it.”
“There’s no doubt. When can we start building?”
“Right away.”
I felt a surge of joy, radiant and irrepressible, as if my very soul had been set alight. My lover had created a home for me.
I wanted to ask him the big question, but wasn’t sure…
As though reading my mind, he said, “I’m ready to sell my house.”
My heart squeezed knowing he had to make this difficult decision about a place that meant so much to him. I understood why he had clung to it for the longest time.
He pointed to his temple. “The memories are safe.”
“Your happiness is everything,” I said softly.
“If I’m honest, I don’t see the next phase of my life being lived there.”
“Well, this talented architect designed my dream home. Maybe you’d like to move in with me.”
His face lit up with a joy that was boyish and then masculine. “That would be… Yes, of course. Thank you for wanting me there.”
“I know things are moving quickly with us,” I admitted. “We’ve not known each other that long. But still…”
“We’ve already lived a thousand lives together.”
“True. Though that’s enough adventures for a while.”
“Let’s not plan to take down any more villains for a least a few weeks.”
“I can live with that.” I squeezed his arm affectionately.
“There’s something I need to be honest about.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, during our first chess game, at Cameron’s, in his kitchen—”
“I remember.”
“I let you win.”
I thought back on it and grinned. “No, you didn’t.”
“For my ego’s sake, say I won.”
I threw my head back in a laugh, knowing he was joking. “You won me , how about that.”
“The ultimate gift,” he said brightly. “I’m the luckiest man alive.”
“You haven’t tasted my cooking yet.”
“Your toast is pretty rad.”
“Why, thank you.”
He took my hand and kissed my wrist. “Let’s cook dinner side by side every night, then curl up on the couch—”
“Wrapped in a blanket.”
“Drinking fine wine. The world kept at bay.”
“Sounds like heaven.”
“Well, we have your brother’s blessing.”
“Not that we needed it,” I admonished him playfully.
“Right.” Greyson peered toward the mansion. “He had news.”
“News?”
“The deal went through, Willa. We own Pendulum. Not sure we’ll keep the name, but it’s legally ours. We make the rules. We call the shots.”
“You can create everything you wanted within that club.”
“We’ll honor the sacred feminine at Pendulum.”
“No more black apples,” I said, smirking.
“We couldn’t have done it without you. You are the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met.”
“Hopefully, you’ll never forget it,” I said, winking. “And I’ll never forget that you wow me with your talent, Greyson.”
“I think we make a great team.”
“We really do.”
There was warmth in his gaze, a compassion that held me steady.
“So, what’s next for your career?” he asked.
“No going back to Pulse360, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
“I’m going to take Cameron up on his offer of an introduction. He knows a news director, and he said he would put in a good word for me. I endeavor to lift women up as my career takes off.” My way of saying if I used my name to get ahead, which was hard to avoid, best put that privilege to good use.
“I’m surprised your family didn’t buy you a news station.”
“You know them well, apparently.”
He planted a kiss on my forehead, tender and loving.
Greyson’s mouth moved down to my neck, nuzzling my skin, and then our lips met, and we kissed deeply, our tongues clashing, sharing the moments that had brought us closer. His arms were wrapped around me protectively, holding me against him, with the promise of pleasure and all the night had to offer—a silent vow to shield me against any seen and unseen forces.
In his arms, I was safe.
I was home.
It came to me like a blossoming flower, the revelation that in my saddest times, in the most challenging moments or during devastating events, I hadn’t needed to be frightened of them, because they propelled me into a brighter future, into a place that became mine—would become ours.
A little faith, a little hope, and it all eventually fell into place.
His admiring gaze found me again. “You were worth waiting for, Willa Cole.”
“I plan to love you forever, Greyson.” I let out a sigh. “And thank you for fighting for me.”
“I’ll do that every day for the rest of my life. No matter what.”
Together, hand in hand, we strolled back along the petaled pathway, back toward Chrysalis.
Greyson peered skyward. “See those stars?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what I consider God’s chandelier.”
Such a beautiful sentiment. It was easy to be enamored by the way they glistened and glimmered brightly, leaving me breathless.
What more could I want? “You, and an eternal sky,” I whispered.
There came a luminous reaction in him, a radiant glow ignited in his eyes.
He opened the door for me. “Let me show you around. Would you like that?”
“Very much.” This time, as I entered the mansion, I grasped the true spirit of entering this sacred space.
“The art is to surrender.” Greyson stepped in behind me. “Ready?”
I turned to face him, heart thrumming with excitement, and something deeper, something treasured and beloved, a profound trust inspired by all this serenity.
Gently slipping my hand in his, I pulled Greyson toward the center of the grand foyer.
Again, our lips met in an aching, lingering kiss, filled with passion, filled with understanding and respect, each breath given and shared in a cascade of love.
Drenched in shimmering light, I became lost in Greyson, letting the world fade away, letting the future hold its breath, as we shared our timeless affection beneath the dazzling chandelier—enthralled.