He said it. I have the opening. This is the moment when I can finally ask him.
Ever since my conversation with Dereck that thought about Bay’s involvement never fully left my mind, lingering somewhere in the background of my thoughts. What happened to those boys?
"And did you?"
Our eyes meet.
Bay’s face goes still, like carved from stone.
"There were too many lies and omissions between us all these years, Alex, and I did not tell you many things because I did not want you to live burdened by that kind of knowledge that might have criminal implications."
I snort. "Just tell me, Bay, you know I am the last person who would condemn you."
The words rush out of me as I clench my fists.
"I killed them all."
Wow. I expected it, but hearing it delivered so coldly and decisively sends a chill down my spine.
Bay really did change.DoI like it?
"All of them?"
A slow nod.
"Matt? Kit?"
A nod.
"Doug? Neville?"
A nod.
"Rob, Vin?"
Yet another nod.
My emotions rise and rise and then gather into a single point and one word comes out of my mouth.
"Good!"
Then I lift the piece of bread to my lips and start eating as if nothing happened.
I decide,I like it.
The Hansons are the last people on earth I could care about. Their lives have no value to me, and maybe that sounds horrible, but that is the truth, and I had far more guilt surrounding Oswald. He was just a stupid young alpha who made the horrible mistake of coming here without taking into consideration how powerful his rut could be. They were scum, hardened criminals, rapists and attempted murderers.
Bay returns to eating as well. We sit in silence for a moment, both of us chewing our sandwiches.
"So how do you know Eugene still has his eye on you? It’s been so many years."
Bay hesitates. "From Ennio."
I lift my brows.
"Oh. Right. He’s got connections in the police and pretty much everywhere."
"He told me that one of the guys who helped stall the case against me back when the Hansons fell off the cliff, ran into Eugene in town and recognized him. He said Eugene bragged that he had finally made a breakthrough, had some incriminating recordings, and that he never stopped looking for evidence against me. When the officer asked if he wanted to submit it, Eugene laughed and said, ‘What for, so you can ignore it?’ Then he walked away. That’s all I know from Ennio. But it’s enough."
