Page 46 of Echoes

A smile tugs on his lips, amused.

"Who do you think killed Hallman, little killer? He didn't take his own life. No—I ended it. I ended that sad, pathetic excuse of a man because he touched you. He tried to hurt what's mine."

Chapter 16

Avery

I hear the words but they don't instantly connect. Silence falls between us while Grey waits for the puzzle pieces to fall into place.

"You?" I stammer. "You killed Sam?"

Grey smiles, unfazed. "Of course I did. Now do you understand? We didn't frame you. Ikilledfor you. So, yes—I guess Damon is right. Youdohave a hold on me."

I blink a few times, the candy bar slipping from my grasp. It hits the floor with a soft thud, but neither of us pay it any mind.

"But you were so mad at me," I murmur quietly in disbelief. "You told me we were done and that you didn't love me anymore. You told me to let you go."

He nods slowly. "I know. You hurt me badly. I want you all to myself and that was taken away from me. And on top of that, you let Ashwoodmarkyou."

Grey's eyes drift down to the tattoo on my wrist, hiding the burns that taunted me for so long. I resist the urge to move it out of sight, but I know it wouldn't help the situation.

"I'm so lucky," I murmur. "I came to Lilydale expecting this to be the end of my life. And when I met you and Theo, I realized it might be the start of it. I should have been upfront and honest with you about it, but I've never been good with confrontation. I'm always worried that if I speak up, people will leave me. And then you did." I pause, forcing myself to hold eye contact with him. "It was my absolute worst fear come to life. But even when I was taken away by the police officers, you were all I thought about."

His face scrunches up with unreadable emotion, still boxing me against the wall.

"I don't like sharing," he says quietly. "It's ingrained in me not to want it. It destroyed my father." He spits the word out like it's dirty. My eyes trail down to the red scar on his neck, sorrow and pain filling me. It all makes sense now.

Even though we were never officially together, I can understand why he acted the way he did. It's my responsibility to own up to this. Everything he feels is valid—and because it was caused by me, it's my job to accept that.

"You're right," I murmur softly, looking back up at him again. "You're absolutely right. It's my fault for not thinking about this more clearly. I was caught up in my own feelings because of the file situation. I never wanted you to know all those things about me. I didn't want you to think less of me."

Grey's face softens, surprising me. "Little killer, I already knew all that about you. I just wanted to hear it from you. I wanted you to open up to me, to trust me."

"You what?" I ask with a gasp.

He smiles at me, a fraction of guilt on his face. "We read everyone's file before they start. We have the system hacked. That's what drew me to you."

I don't know how to feel about his confession. By comparison, I should be mad like I was at Dr. Smith, but I can't bring myselfto feel the same way. It's a sickening feeling of relief, but also embarrassment.

And disbelief.

He knew everything about me… and still wanted me.

Me.

Flaws and all.

Murder charges, trauma, suicide attempt… everything.

"So, Damon read it too?" I ask wearily, looking down.

Grey hums in agreement. "I figured you'd be a good candidate to keep an eye on for the society. But as soon as I saw you in class, I knew you were going to be so much more to me."

"Until I fucked it up."

He laughs, letting out a sigh. "Maybe I fucked up too. Maybe that's the string that ties us together."

I look up in surprise, conflicted. "Then you'd be tied to every single person here."

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