It was no wonder to Riley why his father had done what he did, and in someway, Riley was a little proud of him. After all, how often does an omega get the opportunity to turn the tables on an alpha? Especially one as powerful as Stephen Reaney?
After serving the tea, Thomas sat down in the arm chair across from Noah, and lifted his own cup to his lips. He sipped quietly, his dark eyes watching the two men with a measured gaze. After a long pause, he sighed, and set his cup down with a soft clink. “I take it,” he began, his voice low, “that you’re here to ask about Eleanor. About the night she died.”
Noah nodded. “We’ve already read Eric’s letter. We know what he said happened but there are always two sides to every story, maybe more, we want to hear yours.”
Thomas raised an eyebrow and his eyes darkened slightly, a faint, bitter smile curling his thin lips. “Ah,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I always wondered about Eric’s alleged letters, if they truly existed. Seems they do, after all.”
Noah frowned. “They’re real.” He said. “At least the one we read is. The one he wrote in the back of El’s diary.”
“And what, according to young Eric, happened to Eleanor?” Thomas asked, giving Noah a thoughtful glance, but it was Riley who answered him.
“According to my father,” Riley said as he took a seat next to Noah. “She fell and later died in childbirth. I know that my father helped Lilian deliver the baby…” He paused, reaching out and picking up a cup of tea. He looked into the rich, dark, liquid. “Noah. He helped deliver Noah. After El died, you and Stephen buried her in the woods, under an old spruce. Did I leave anything out?”
“Only the part where your father blackmailed Stephen in exchange for his silence.”
“I know about my father’s deal with the devil.” Riley stated coldly.
Thomas snorted a laugh, though there was no humor in it. “The devil, really? Well, Mr. Hicks, it seems as though you know the whole story.” He said, sipping his tea. “What is it that you need from me?”
“It’s not the whole story.” Noah told him. “We know what happened to El but I think there’s more. I think what happened to El has something to do with my father’s murder, and Riley’s parents accident. It’s too big a coincidence not to be related. No more secrets, Thomas. It’s time for the truth to come out. What really happened the night my father died? The night of the Christmas eve celebration? How is it all connected?”
Thomas sighed. “Sometimes, Noah, it’s best to leave the past in the past. Dig too deep, and you may not like what you uncover.” Thomas took another long, sip of his tea, his eyes cold. “But, I suppose, you want to know anyway. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”