“Because of James?” I’d always known Brent couldn’t stand James, but I didn’t think he’d ever truly cared for me. What we’d had was just sex. Surely, my deal with James hadn’t actually hurt his feelings.

“Yeah, Romeo wanted to be sure that Brent wasn’t playing him, so he asked why he was so unsatisfied with your leadership. Brent responded that he didn’t think you’d ever kill James, and that you were getting too close to your husband while ignoring him. He... um... He thought you and James were... having sex. And he thought it was impossible that you’d ever become his wife like he’d planned for years.” Meg cringed.

I couldn’t breathe. Brent had planned to marry me so he could take control of what was rightfully mine. What had he expected? That becoming my husband would magically let him rule everything? Well, if anything happened to me and if he’d taken my name... Shit. I never would have married him, though, but I supposed he thought I’d change my mind eventually.

“Are you okay?” Meg asked. “I know it’s a lot to take in.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need some air.” I got up from the chair I’d been sitting in and stumbled toward the door. When I made my way down the hallway, I felt as if I was watching everything through someone else’s eyes.

I spotted James lounging against the wall close to my room. When his gaze lifted to me, he pushed himself off the wall and started walking away.

“James!” I called. “Hey, wait!”

He stopped, tipping his head back, then turned toward me.

“Where the hell are you going?” I asked.

He shrugged.

I just watched his restless eyes for a moment. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re lying.”

He cocked his head at me. “Are you going to shoot me for that?”

“James...” I wasn’t sure what had upset him, but I doubted it was the fact that I’d killed Brent. “Talk to me.”

His lip twitched and I thought he wasn’t going to say anything. “What you did... It reminded me of something. It has nothing to do with you. I’m glad you found your mole.”

“Reminded you of what?” I’d pretty much rather focus on anything other than on what had happened today. The last thing I wanted was to wonder if Brent had had sex with me just so he could seduce me and make me his wife. That idea was so disgusting I couldn’t even contemplate it.

“Of someone I knew. Thompson. He was my teacher, and he came to my house every day to give me lessons because my father didn’t want me to go to school.”