“It was you,” I said sadly. “You caused the power outage, you locked me and Ro in the basement, you made the chandelier fall.”

“Yes! It was supposed to scare Langston off or hurt him.”

“I nearly fell through that loose railing.”

“It was meant for him.”

“And that poor deer. You killed a deer.”

A proud look crossed his face. “I bet you didn’t know I hunted.”

I looked into his eyes, and what I saw sent a chill down my spine. He looked off, a dead, blank look behind his gaze.

“You poisoned me, Rupert. I almost died.”

“You weren’t supposed to be there! It was meant for Langston.” Rupert whirled, spitting the words at me.

I tried to loosen the ropes on my wrists. Maybe I could get free. “Why? Why would you do this?”

“The hotel should be mine.” His angry voice echoed off the walls. “Not his.”

I kept my voice calm and even. “It was a long time ago that it belonged to your great-grandfather. It has nothing to do with Ro⁠—”

His face contorted. “Don’t call him that. It’s Langston.”

I dragged in a deep breath. “You’ve never owned or run a hotel, Rupert. Your great-grandfather started it and lost it.”

“It was stolen from him.” Rupert ran his hands through his hair, his movements jerky. “It was my birthright and it was stolen from me. My father always talked about it. He was angry that we didn’t own the Windward Resort as we rightfully should.” He lowered his voice. “It should be ours, son. It was stolen from us.”

I swallowed. “I thought you liked your work. You’re good at it.”

He waved an angry hand. “It’s sissy work.”

“What?”

“My father hated computers. He said I was stupid and weak for liking them. He took me hunting to make me a real man.”

Oh, God. A mix of horror and sympathy hit me.

“But I had to pay the bills. It was the best paying work I could find. But he always said we should own the hotel, right up until the day he died.” His face twisted. “Then Langston bought it.”

“Okay, Rupert. Look, we need to go back and⁠—”

“I want him gone. He doesn’t belong in Windward. He’s rich, and handsome, and has everything he wants.” His gaze zoomed in on me and my breath hitched. “Then he got you.”

“Rupert…”

“After the chandelier, I saw the way he touched you. I saw the way you touched him, and I knew. I knew he wanted you and that you wanted him. Then you were with him in his room, and ate his food and got sick.” Rupert wrung his hands together. “I was so worried.” His face hardened. “Until I heard everyone gossiping. You were wearing his shirt. You’re fucking Langston.”

“It’s not like that.”

“You shouldn’t have let him touch you!”