“I couldn’t,” Dionne protested. “Bexley would have been in trouble if you ran straight to Hunter.” She placed a hand on my shoulder. “Why would you accept?”
“Because he promised to keep Grayson alive if I married him.”
“And you believe him?”
“He hasn’t killed him yet.” My eyes flicked back to Archer. “But he’s hardly a man of his word.”
Archer’s grip on my wrist grew tighter. “This wasn’t part of the plan.”
“Did your new best friend betray you?” I asked, ripping my hand out of his grasp and ignoring the burning sensation that lit up my skin. “For everything you think Gray is, Hunter is a thousand times worse.”
“You don’t know what you’re?—”
“Yes, I do. Larkin—” I stopped myself.
Archer narrowed his eyes. “What about Larkin? What has she told you?”
“It’s between me and her. But you know she carries secrets. You sense it.” His lips drew into a thin line at my comment. “Maybe it’s time to admit you don’t know everything going on here. Too many secrets for you to handle.”
“What’s his plan?”
“What do you think, Archer? Success. Hunter’s worries he’ll get dethroned, so he’s solidifying his power with me by his side.”
“And what’s your plan?”
“Who says I have one?”
“It’s not like you to sit back and do nothing, so I’ll ask again—what is your plan?”
“To survive.” I was going to leave it at that, but something compelled me to keep talking. “It’s not going to be easy. If I had some help?—”
“No.” The answer was blunt. “I have no interest in getting involved in whatever web you are weaving. These stupid games?—”
“You’re an integral part of why these games began!”
“I’m done here. Dionne, we need to leave.”
“Archer,” Dionne said, looking between us. “We can’t leave her. Not like this.”
“If you wish to take part in a suicide mission, please be my guest. I want my justice and I want to move on with my existence.” Archer cracked his neck. “But you know as well as Ido that if you get involved, Bexley will be in the firing line as well.”
There was a moment before Dionne dropped her head in defeat.
Selfish.
We were all inherently selfish.
“Good luck with your life,” Archer said. “It’s the least you’ll need.”
My nerves were already on edge when Hunter came to my room and announced that I needed to get dressed. Any questions I had fell on deaf ears as he handed me a yellow sundress. It was already difficult to breathe without the addition of the cinched waist.
“I have clothes,” I reminded him.
My gratitude for Erik was boundless. Despite my refusal to see him and my decision to align with Hunter, he had packed my clothes from Gray’s home and brought them here. It was these minor comforts that I clung to.
“This will be suitable for today.”
“Where are we going?”
