Page 212 of Pretty Little Lies

Something casts over Reeve’s eyes like a light bulb went off and he stretches his jaw. “I think I know why your dad has kept it a secret.” I keep staring at him and impatiently, waiting for that answer. “Because if you were found out, you might be dead.”

“I need that video.”

“Why, so you can black out the screen and put in some bullshit that might cover your ass?”

My body full one freezes at that voice. The dripping hatred that splashes over me and forces me to get on my knees and beg for his forgiveness.

I haven’t allowed myself to feel sorry about Judah.

Not anymore.

He attempted to off me when he knew I had a family that needed me. He spewed out bullshit that didn’t make sense and wouldn’t let me be.

Yeah, Matteo wasn’t the best-choice for a boyfriend, but that was my ultimate decision, not his.

Slowly I turn, using the fender of the Chevy Malibu I’m leaning up on to keep my weight from crumpling at the sight of a disheveled Torin Wildes.

He looks fucked up and was dragged through hell several times over. His tawny eyes are rimmed in red. His hair is every which way but still sexy as hell, which I want to throw a punch at because it’s not fair.

He fucked me, left me wanting, and wiped himself off on me like I was his whore.

“Tell me why Matteo would approach me out of nowhere?” he provokes. “What did you do, Bay, threaten his little town with Wallace? It seems out of character for him to be so desperate to get you offed.”

“That would require my speaking with him, Pretty Boy.”

“And I don’t care that you have or haven’t. However, that Penn Northcott secret you’ve kept bottled up for years seems to have done the trick.”

“It makes sense,” Reeve puts forth. “If Roger would’ve made it known she was the heir, we both know what would’ve happened to her.”

“I have no doubt that she’d be dead already,” Pretty Boy agrees. “However…I couldn’t give a flying fuck about who she is and what she is. The cold hard truth of the matter is that I had to have my fucking brother’s remains dug up to see if Emilio buried his ass. And, guess what…he did.”

My head cranes back and forth, even though I knew Judah was dead.

He had to be.

I never saw him again.

Matteo never mentioned him again.

It didn’t take a brain scientist to put two and two together that Judah never made it out of those woods.

“I didn’t kill him, Pretty Boy,” I explain. “I only—” Torin reaches behind him before a shiny silver pistol that screamshe doesn’t want me to speakpoints right at my face.

“Don’t fuckin’ call me that,” he leers, his fingers wrapped tightly around the handle as Reeve moves to stand in front of me, blocking half of my body with his.

“Chill out, brother,” he says gently. “You’re fucked up.”

“Am I?” Torin cocks his head and releases a mirthless laugh. “Maybe I’m seeing things clearly for the first time in a long time.”

“Torin, please,” I beg. “I’d never justhurtsomeone like that.”

“But he knew your secret,” Torin replies flatly. “Why would you want him to go off and risk it?”

“I don’t carry a gun.”

“Doesn’t mean you couldn’t get your hands on one.” Torin shakes his head, not allowing my words to sink in. He’s moving from side to side, drunk and upset, two things that aren’t mixing well in my favor. “Judah loved you.”

My brows knit as I watch him bring the barrel of the gun to his temple, snatching my next breath.

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