I rummage through my head to think of something else to say or another way to comfort her, but Ellie gets to her feet and begins walking toward her room.
“I’m not hungry,” she claims. “I’m going to bed.”
And, just like that, Ellie stands and vacates the space without another word or a good night.
A nice reminder and show of how I responded toward Cairo and Ozzy when I believed Levi was truly gone.
Nice. She’s just like me.
My cell buzzes along the countertop causing me to mindlessly pluck it from the surface when my own form of dread comes coursing through my veins.
UNKNOWN: How are you holding up, Haven? I’m so sorry for your loss.
The man is smart.
Even Emilio knew to give me some space after Levi’s so-called death. Yet I don’t miss that he believes the ruse, and that’s what Levi wanted everyone to think in the first place.
If I were still in a downward spiral, I’d never answer this text.
So I don’t.
And that’s when I hear some ruckus outside.
I move for the front door, hearing male voices before Hot Rod’s amps up a notch. It’s irritated and hostile, two things he’s been lately, but I can’t blame him. He has a lot on his shoulders and he and I haven’t gone head-to-head yet on his lies.
Swinging the front door open, there’s a plethora of men on and around the front porch. Most of them with white masks on, alluding to their Nameless persona, and it’s straight-up creepy, to be honest.
But my attention falls disgustingly on Sheriff Muncy being surrounded by the guys and hollering at each and every single one of them.
“What the hell is going on?” I storm out, immediately receiving all eyes on me and Muncy’s shitty-ass smirk.
“Bay,” he coos like the dickhead he is, stepping toward me before Hot Rod gets in his face to stop him from getting any farther. His extensive frame would crush Muncy into powder if that’s what he wanted to do, towering over him like the gangbanger he is, and with limited patience.
“Youtouchher, Muncy,” he warns with bared teeth. “And you’re not gonna live much longer.”
Muncy glimpses over his shoulder with a nonchalance that must be a God-given gift to not heed warning when he should. “Is that a threat, boy? You’re already on thin ice. I know one of you buried that body.”
My blood runs cold at the mention of a body and follows up with thoughts of Nessa.
It wouldn’t be anyone else.
“And I’m about to buryyours,” Rod sneers with zero chill. “You wanna take that bet, old man?”
Muncy scoffs dismissively. “You think because I haven’t nailed you yet that I’m going to stop now? You can hide your illegal shit all you want, but I have solid evidence that Bay killed Nessa Cooler, and I’m taking her in.”
“Go ahead and try,” Hot Rod taunts evenly. “Let’s see how far you make it.”
Muncy moves for me again, attempting to get around the rest of Hot Rod’s body before Juice blocks his path.
“You’re in over your head, old man,” Levi’s third in command states evenly. “I don’t think you want to do this.”
“Move,” Muncy orders with some bite. “Or I’m taking youbothin for obstructing justice. And that’ll only be the start.”
“Not if you’re dead,” Juice claims. “And we’ve been itching to do that forever now, Muncy.” He cocks his head to the side. “Where’s your backup?”
Fuck up number one on Sherriff Muncy’s part. And we’re tied because the photo I sent to Matteo got me where I am now.
I knew he’d use it against me—sorta.
