“It’s okay, man. Just drop it.” He turns, giving me his back, walking toward the main building of Death Valley.
I run a hand down my face. “Scout?” I shout.
“I’m done with this conversation,” he throws over his shoulder. He takes the stone steps two at a time, and I run after him, yanking him to a stop, causing him to step down one. He spins around and snaps, “What do you want?”
I lower my eyes to my feet and adjust my bow tie again—all of a sudden, it’s suffocating. Fuck, Law. I’m going to beat your ass for not giving me more information to go on here. “I, uh …”
“What the fuck are you doing, Rellik? Are you fucked up on something?” he asks.
I wish. That would make this much easier. “I’m just doing what I was told to do.” I drop the ball, knowing I can’t keep up this charade. Even if telling the truth buys me ten more seconds.
He straightens. “What did you just say?”
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on. Law messaged me and said to keep you out of the way …”
He doesn’t let me finish. He spins around and runs into the building. I follow him, knowing that Law’s message had said to meet at the Graveyard. I run down the dark hallways, breathing heavily and heart pounding. Fuck, I had too many drinks at the fundraiser.
I come to the end of a hallway and take the stairs three at a time. You have to go up to the second floor and then go down to the first to get to the Graveyard from this building. If you come in from the back, you don’t have to go up to the second floor.
I can hear Scout’s shoes still ahead of me. He’s on a mission to find out why the fuck we’re here. I’m not too thrilled to figure it out. Whatever it is can’t be good. We’re never here on a weeknight unless it’s to fuck something up.
“I said fucking do it!” I hear Henley’s voice shout, and my body comes to an instant stop. The sound travels through the silent halls.
I hold my breath, trying to figure out if I imagined it or if it really was her. Why would she be here? Why would Law have us come here for her?
“I’m not going to fucking shoot you!” I hear Dax shout back.
Fucking shit!
I don’t wait to hear another word. I sprint down the last hallway, passing the chapel where it all started, and come to the balcony. Scout stands there, his hands curled around it. “What …?” I ask out of breath and look down below to the first floor. I see Henley on her knees in the center of the Graveyard. Her face is bruised and bloody. Her hands are tied behind her back and so are her ankles. Law stands next to her like a fucking guard dog.
What the fuck is going on, Law?
I take a quick look at Scout, but he says nothing. He’s glaring down at Law. My eyes go back to the scene below, and I catch sight of Dax and Mr. Monroe standing at the far end side by side. Monroe holds a gun in his hands.
“HENLEY!” Scout screams out next to me, making everyone look up at him. “What the fuck?” he whispers to himself. And I’m glad I’m not the only one confused as fuck.
“Fuck,” Law hisses loud enough for the sound to carry, and he takes a few steps back, dropping his crossed arms.
“What is going on?” Mr. Monroe demands. “Dax.” He turns to face him. “If you do not do this, then I fucking will.” He lifts the gun in his hand and raises it at Henley’s head.
She glares up at him as if she’s accepted her fate. Willing to be executed for a crime she didn’t commit.
“NOOOOO!” Scout shouts, gripping the railing.
A loud bang rings in the open space, and we watch Henley’s body fall forward. Facedown, she just lies there.
My heart stops as the gunshot echoes in the concrete building. Law stands behind her with his gun pointed at her back. She’s dead. He just killed her. “Fuck!” I finally breathe, reaching up and gripping my hair.
Mr. Monroe walks over to her and kicks her leg like she’s roadkill. “Make sure the body is disposed of. You can take the rope you brought with you and tie her to a tree out in the middle of the woods. Strip her clothing. The wild hogs will eat everything she has to offer,” he orders Law, and then he turns to Dax. “I’ve never been more disappointed in you than I am at this moment.” He shakes his head in disgust. He faces Law and slaps him on the back. “However, I’m proud of you, boy.”