“So, what are you saying?”
I sat on the bed, running my hands through my hair. “At the time, Max believed I still had that statute as protection. With the way he reacted when Morty told him the truth, what if he’d been depending on me having that trump card? What if his reaction wasn’t because we’d slept together, but because I didn’t have that protection anymore?”
Landon stiffened. “You think they’re threatening you to get him to go through with the engagement?”
I shrugged as he sat down beside me. “With what we know now about his inheritance, it’s possible, right?”
He let out a heavy breath. “Yeah, it is.”
I dug into my pocket for my phone. “I need to run it by Gia.”
Once I got her up to speed and shared my logic, she was on board. She hadn’t seen, heard, orfeltwhat I had during my time with Max, but she trusted my gut.
And one thing I was sure of? Max had learned a valuable lesson during our six days in the cabin. Something he’d already taken to heart.
Language mattered.
Words had meaning.
During the Nobility Introduction, I believed he’d used that to try and help me see what was going on with him.
“Which side do you need me on?” Gia asked. “Angel on the left shoulder or devil’s advocate on the right?”
“Landon knows some things we can’t share, and he’s on board, so you play devil’s advocate for me.”
“You got it. Hit me.”
“I think he’s doing what he did the first night in the Round Tableau, saying one thing but hoping I’ll uncover what he really wants to share.”
Landon bristled. “Wait. What did he do?”
“Unimportant. But he said very few nice things that night.”
Gia donned her role. “A bit of a red flag, if you ask me…”
When Landon nodded, I jerked my thumb at him. “Compared to theonegiant red flag he waved in front of everyone? Perhaps you both remember, it sounded likeNo.”
I shot him a look, and he put up his hands between us.
“Yeah, she has you there.” Gia snorted. “Plus, that’s what we said about The Quest and your contract.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, but those red flags were actual red flags, Gia. That isn’t helping. Now, don’t distract me.”
She mimed zipping her lips.
“Look, if I hadn’t trusted my gut and believed more was going on with you, Landon, I would’ve walked away. But once youdidn’t say anythingat the Maiden Appeal, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. I wouldn’t admit it to myself at the time, but I held onto hope at the first sign there was more going on beneath the surface. Max deserves the same. I won’t give him any less than that.”
“You’re right,” he said softly. “I get it.”
“Thank you.” I huffed. “Now, of the conveniently limited options, he used the wordtrappedonce. Right after he’d come into the room and, more importantly,beforeVivian walked in and threatened to get his father, which is when he started saying the…less nice things.”
“What did he say at first?”
“He told me I was safe.”
Landon’s expression communicated his doubt, and even Gia looked skeptical. And yes, maybe I was grasping at straws, but I had other points to make.
“Max also didn’t clarify whichfirst nighthe meant. Not when he said that. He could’ve saidin the Round Tableau. Orat the Maiden Selection. But he just saidthe first night.”
