I asked, “Why would you want to play dead?”
“Because Skylar tried to kill me, and I needed her to think it worked.”
I slipped off his lap and paced before him. “She tried to kill you.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“With poison.” He nodded. “That glass over there.”
I moved to examine the glass.
“Don’t touch it.”
I cast him a narrowed glance over my shoulder. “I wasn’t going to touch it.”
I totally was. If Hailey were here, she’d smack me for forgetting all the lessons we’d learned bingingSnapped. “So let me get this straight. I’m innocent of killing Jameson and you had me arrested and charged with murder. For my ‘own safety.’” I put that last bit in air quotes. “This Skylar chick tries toactuallykill you, and you let her waltz right out of here?”
He rose and crossed to the sideboard and picked up a crystal decanter. Pulling off the topper, he poured a drink. “That about sums it up.”
I nodded, leaning a hip against the side of his chair. “Yeah, sure. That wraps it all up in a nice little bow.”
He crossed and handed me the glass. “Drink.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Drink anyway.”
I took a sip of the liquor, liking how the burn soothed my anger. “None of this makes sense.”
“I know.”
“You rich people are all batshit crazy.”
“I know that too.”
“Are you going to explain?”
“Skylar is bitter that she will never be the next Mrs. Worthington. My brother is using that to play her like a marionette. He wants me dead. He tried to use her to do it.”
The room tilted. Every answer he gave only exposed more questions I hadn’t known to ask.
“What are you going to do now?” I asked.
“I’m going to lay a trap. It’s going to protect my inheritance, my power, and most importantly, ensure your safety. I’m going to make sure my brother never lays his hands on you again. And I might even get a little revenge while I’m at it.”
“How?”
“With incredible skill and finesse,” he deadpanned.
My lips thinned as I let out a long sigh and raised one eyebrow. He matched my look with a tilt to his head.
Finally, I demanded, “Tell me.”
He looked at me for a long moment, then said, “No.”
“I’m in the middle of all of this, and I don’t know what’s going on. I have a right to know; this is my life you’re messing with, Pierce. Please.” I fisted his shirt. “Please, just tell me.”
