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Sterling gently squeezed my hand. “Jail for what?”
“I killed my ex.” Saying the words out loud was so strange and freeing. Their eyes widened at the news, or maybe it was the lack of remorse in my voice.
Hayes was the first to break the silence, his hand resting on my leg and recognition on his face. “He’s the reason for your flashbacks.”
“That, and the fear of being caught. Maybe guilt, but I’m not sure. I tried to break things off with him, but he was manipulative and controlling, one of those charming alphas who seemed perfect until he wasn’t. When I told him we were done, he tried to assault me in the back of his truck. I grabbed a crowbar and hit him. After a few blows, he stopped moving. It was almost like an out-of-body experience. Soon, I had the weapon cleaned, then I dumped it and his body in the lake we were at.”
“There wasn’t an investigation?” Weston asked.
“There was, but the case was thrown out because evidence had disappeared. They had no ground to stand on, and I was simplyoneof the suspects. I guess now we know where that evidence went,” I said with a dark laugh.
“What were you doing for them? Just keeping an eye on the senator?” Cyrus asked.
“Stopping that law from being introduced at all costs. My mission isn’t over,” I admitted. My eyes shifted to Hayes. “Did you make a connection with the name I gave you? There were details you held back.”
“My best guess is that she’s the senator’s daughter, a product of the ring. I tried to narrow it down to the mother, but I have yet to find her.”
“If she’s even still alive,” I said sadly. “We have to stop this law, but we also have to stop them.” Determination had my voice stronger than it had been. A sane person would have been ready to tuck tail and run, to tell the Syndicate to do their worst, but I was more invested than ever.
“You want to keep going?” Cyrus asked. His voice held something akin to reverence, likeIwas someone worth that level of praise.
“More than ever,” I answered. “I enduredhoursof torture. Yes, it was at the hands of the Family, but men like Danny and Burke are a dime a dozen. If I can complete this mission, stop these laws from giving them an easy out, then maybe all this bullshit was worth it. If we can save whatever omegas they have tucked away in the hotel, then maybe I’ll have paid my penance.”
I'd taken two lives now. Deserved or not, that wasn’t something I took lightly.
“You’re not evil, Bailey. No penance is necessary,” Weston said.
“I’m sorry… Did you see the monster stabbing that man over and over again?” They didn’t seem amused by my laughter.
“The man that tortured you for hours? He deserved every one of the wounds you gave him, but that doesn’t even matter. Bailey, he was already dead,” Weston said. “His blood is on my hands, not yours.”
I was almost disappointed to hear that news. What did that say about me?
ChapterTwenty
Bailey
Crickets chirped around us as the river reflected the sunset on its surface. It was once a peaceful place for me, but not anymore.
“Are you even listening to me, Bailey?” Anthony growled, slamming his hand onto the side of his truck. The metallic thud was followed by even more cursing as if I’d done that to him.
“I am,” I said with a sigh, “but I’m not doing this again. It’s over, Anthony. And before you think about doing something stupid, my roommates are checking in every five minutes. They’re waiting to call the police to our location the moment I don’t respond.”
It was my backup plan the moment he forced me into his truck and to our ‘special’ spot.
Anthony wasn’t put off by my words. He simply laughed and moved next to me, roughly grabbing my bicep and dragging me toward his truck. The alpha was twice as strong as me, so he easily threw me into the back.
“Sounds like I’ve got a solid fifteen minutes to remind you why you’re with me,” he purred. “You haven’t let me bite you yet, and I’ve been patient, but that was clearly a mistake.” He ran his tongue over his teeth in warning.
“Don’t do this, Anthony,” I pleaded, wishing I could slap my past-self for agreeing to meet him in that parking lot. I’d tried to keep the meeting in public and walk away first. Big mistake. How could I have known he’d drag me into his truck?
He undid his jeans as I struggled against him. My hands reached for anything they could grip, since his truck was riddled with tools. The moment my hands wrapped around the crowbar, I knew I had to take the chance.
Adrenaline and fear thrummed through me as I delivered the first blow. It wasn’t hard enough to truly hurt him, but the stunned alpha sat up, giving me a better shot.
The repetitive thud was echoed by the feral screams that ripped from my throat.
* * *
