Devil's Pawn (Devil's Pawn Duet 1)

“The Bishop house?”

“I guess so.”

He tilts his head to the side, studies me. “Are you sure you’re welcome there?”

“What do you mean?”

He smiles, shakes his head. “And a phone.” He gestures to his cell phone on the desk. “Would you like to make a call?”

“That’s not… You know he’s restricting me.”

“And you’re here now because of what I said. You’ve come to me for protection.”

I study him now. Wonder at the game he’s playing. Wonder if I’ve made a mistake.

“Have you considered he’s protecting you?” he asks.

“From what? He’s the one I need protecting from.”

“I’ve seen how he is with you. I’m not sure if what you’re saying is correct. Jericho can be harsh but he’s loyal.”

“He’s unpredictable.”

“That too, but like I said, he is loyal. And he knows more about you than you realize.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just that you may be better off here in this house than your half-brother’s.”

“I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t I be safe at my brother’s house? That doesn’t make any sense.”

He folds his arms across his chest. “He loved her very much, you know.”

I’m taken aback at this change and hearing him say the words somehow makes my stomach hurt even though I already knew it. Jericho loved Kimberly.

“Back to your earlier question. No one needs to blame him for her death. He does that all on his own.”

“Carlton didn’t kill her. He’s not capable—”

“You don’t know what your brother is capable of, Isabelle, and you being here, under our roof, it may be keeping you safer than you realize.”

“Your mother said something similar the night before the wedding. She said Jericho would protect me, and that I needed protecting. I’m sure you understand why I wouldn’t believe either of you though.”

“We’re not lying to you.”

“Well, you’re not telling me the whole truth either, are you?”

“Why are you here, Isabelle? Why have you come to me? You are my brother’s wife, not mine.”

“You said—”

“I said you could come to me if he hurts you. I didn’t say I’d gossip with you.”

“I’m not gossiping.”

“You should talk to Jericho. Ask him your questions.”

“Jericho hates me.”