Colt’s idle threat brings the temperature in the room down a notch, reminding us all of why we are in this mess in the first place.
“We might not know who The Society is yet, but I have a good idea of how they found out what we did that night. They were in the house the whole time when shit went down. I’m furious it took me so long to figure it out,” I explain, looking for my smokes in the pockets of my leather jacket draped on Linc’s chair.
“You’re wrong. There was no one in the house but us.”
“You mean there was no one we could see. But trust me, Colt, one of those fuckers was definitely in there with us.”
I light up, taking a deep inhale of my second favorite poison, preparing to explain what only dawned on me last night while showing Scarlett the secret tunnels, when a serene Lincoln surprises me with his own conclusion.
“Easton’s talking about the hidden passageways inside the house, aren’t you?”
I stare into his blank expression, a chill running down my spine.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“The tunnels are a guarded Richfield secret. I couldn’t tell you about their existence. I didn’t even know you knew about them until you insinuated as much just now.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I question, appalled, looking at the man standing in front of me with fresh new eyes.
Who the fuck are you right now, Linc?
I see no shame or even regret on his face for keeping such a secret from the rest of us.
Nothing.
“You’re upset.”
It’s not a question, but an affirmation—one I resent being so calmly uttered by my best friend.
“Shouldn’t I be?”
“No, you shouldn’t. Every family has secrets, East. Even yours. Don’t be angry with me for trying to keep mine hidden when you keep yours just as close to the vest.”
My jaw ticks as I walk to his bathroom to flush my cigarette, hoping the small stroll will temper my rage. I have mixed feelings about Linc keeping shit from us. We are putting our necks out on the line for him, and Lincoln turning around and not being upfront with us on every aspect of his life rubs me the wrong way.
But he’s right.
I have my own secrets.
Secrets that not even my best friends know about, so it would be fucking hypocritical of me to demand that Lincoln share every last skeleton in his closet. And knowing the Richfields, they must have plenty.
When I return back to the room, Colt is uncharacteristically mute, looking out at the vast Oakley Woods through the bedroom window, while Lincoln stands in the middle of the room waiting for me.
“Are we good?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure.”
Crestfallen, he bows his head, showing the first smidgen of contrition.
“There will always be some things that neither Colt nor I will ever be able to discuss, East. Especially when it comes to our family’s legacy.”
“You sound like The Society,” I retort scornfully, but immediately regret it when sadness coats his ocean blue eyes. “I didn’t mean that.”
“Yeah, you did. And you’re right. Maybe this is just karma catching up with me. I’m sure my family has been on the other end of blackmail and extortion more times than I can count. You’ve seen it for yourself. Those tunnels were used to spy, not only on acquaintances but also friends. Maybe even family. Serves us right that, sooner or later, someone would turn the tables on us.”
“No one deserves this, Linc. Especially not you.”
“Are you sure?”
I open my mouth to deny the accusation, but then thin my lips. I’m not sure any of us don’t deserve exactly what we are being put through. We all have blood on our hands.
And Lincoln… he’s drenched in the vile stuff.
Instead of prolonging this conversation, I tell him that I’m going to see what’s taking Finn and Stone so long and leave the room. When two hours finally pass, a UPS truck drives up to the Hamilton estate and delivers a brand-new laptop for the sole purpose of using The Society’s enigmatic drive.
Now with Finn and Stone among us, we wait as Lincoln starts up the new computer. Once he inserts the drive, an eerie silence takes over the room. There is only one thing on it—a video.
“Is it just me, or is everyone having heart palpitations right now?” Stone asks with a quivering chuckle as Finn holds on to her waist from behind, apprehension marring his features.
“Are you ready?” Lincoln asks over his shoulder, directing the question at me.
“Just do it.”
He nods, turning back to the laptop to press play. He stands back so we can all have a clear view of the screen, the golden pentagram taking centerstage.
Then everything goes black.
“Is it working?” Colt questions at the same time Finn tells Lincoln to increase the volume.
At first, I’m not really sure what we are watching, but the sound coming through the speakers is telling. Moans and grunts come through as we begin to make out the shadows of two bodies aligned on a bed.
“Are they fucking?”
“Sure sounds like it,” Lincoln replies, not as enthusiastic as his cousin.
When the woman’s wails grow louder, as she is being pounded by the man on top of her, the back of my neck prickles. He suddenly turns her over so she can ride him, her long black hair cascading down, keeping us from seeing either one of their faces. It’s only when her lover wraps the woman’s hair by his wrist, forcefully pulling it back, do we have a clear image of the woman’s face.
“Shit!” Finn yells. “East, turn away! Fuck! Don’t watch this! Turn it off! Turn it off!” he continues to shout, putting his body in front of the screen to block my view, while Lincoln struggles to get to the computer to turn the video off.
But it’s too late. I know what I just saw.
I get off the bed and run to Lincoln’s bathroom, bile retching out as all my stomach’s contents resurface.
They got a tape of my mom.
My fucking mother!
I’ll kill them! I’ll kill them all!
I hear whispers in the other room while Finn stays by my side.
I feel like the world just tipped over, leaving me unbalanced and out-maneuvered.
“Was that Price on the video?” Colt asks, coming into the bathroom, leaning against the door frame.
“Does it matter?” Finn counters bitterly.
“Yeah, it does. If Easton’s mom has a side piece, then he is dead in the water when Price finds out. I wouldn’t blame him either.”
I get off my knees and go to the sink to rinse my mouth. I still feel lightheaded with what we just saw as the image continues to burn a hole in my head.
“It must have been my stepdad. Mom would never cheat on Dick.”
“I bet. It looked like she enjoys it too much to start batting for the other team,” Colt snickers.
Everything turns red as I spring on him, my hands on his neck, choking the fucker as we stumble into Lincoln’s room.