Page 37 of Aspen's Defense

"So, what? You decided to look at the camera and hope you got caught to ease your conscience?" I ask. "You committed a felony, Troy."

"Believe me, I'm aware. But I didn't fucking sign up to shoot at anyone. If he's willing to kill you, what do you think he's willing to do to me?" he asks, one brow arched. "I'll take my chances with the law."

"Then why hide?"

"The photos," he mutters. "Silar wouldn't hand them over unless I skipped town with him. I think he knew I'd go straight to Dillon. I laid low with him until I got my hands on the photos, and then I bounced."

I eye him, not sure if I believe him or not. People do stupid things all the time, but this is an entirely new level of stupid. "What was in the photos?"

He presses his lips together, refusing to tell me…which is answer enough, I suppose. Whatever was in them is bad. Bad enough to make a felony like this seem like a viable alternative. I'm not sure I want to know the particulars. Men with money tend to think they can do whatever they want to whoever they want. It's disgusting.

Troy isn't a hero. He isn't a good guy, either. He's just one who hasn't learned yet that there is no atonement for some things. He's here because he thinks it balances the cosmic scale. It doesn't. Throwing himself at my mercy won't absolve him of whatever guilt he carries for what he did back then. It won't make him sleep better at night.

"If what you say is true, you need to tell the sheriff."

"I know." He blows out a breath. "I just wanted to talk to you first."

"You want me to plead your case."

He shrugs almost bashfully. He isn't bashful though. It's an act, one he's perfected in his life. If you're charming enough, people do what you want. Unfortunately for him, I'm not easily charmed.

"What was in the photos, Troy?"

"It doesn't matter. It was a long time ago."

"Will it matter to the girl in the photos?" I ask quietly.

He flinches, and I know I'm right. My stomach turns.

"Plead your own case," I say, disgusted. I'm not helping him. He doesn't deserve it.

"Aspen, please." He takes a step toward me.

"Take another fucking step and you're going to be eating through a straw, motherfucker," Giant growls, stepping into the kitchen from the hallway.

Troy wheels around to face him, shocked.

"Surprise, motherfucker." Giant grins at him, the gun in his hands steady. "Bet you didn't expect to see me, did you?"

Troy doesn't say anything. He just stares at him for a long moment. And then something in him…shifts. I'm not sure how else to describe it. It's eerie. One minute, he's just standing there, staring at Giant in silent resignation. The next, he blinks and spins toward me, his expression completely blank. He takes a step in my direction and then another, quickly closing the distance between us.

Giant doesn't hesitate. He fires.

I squeeze my eyes closed as Troy stumbles to a stop…and falls.

Chapter Thirteen

Noah

"Areyoucoming?"Colterasks, poking his head into my room through the passthrough door adjoining our rooms.

"What? Where?"

Colter's brows furrow as he steps fully into my room. "What the fuck is going on with you? You've been tense and distracted all day."

"I can't get ahold of Aspen." It's been hours since I last heard from her, and she's not the only one not answering. I've tried Cormac, Dillon, and Jack, too. No one is answering. No one has called me back yet, either.

The pit that opened in my stomach when I left this morning keeps yawning wider. Something is wrong. Aspen wouldn't ignore my calls given the situation. Neither would Cormac or Jack.