Wayne knew exactly who Hayden was, and still sent him out. This was 100% a test.

“What’s Hayden planning to do?” I asked Ron, even though I didn’t really need him to explain. I already knew. Hayden had been lying low to take down the whole operation from the inside, no doubt.

Wayne, though? He was using this as a golden opportunity to take Hayden out for good. It all came down to who was playing chess and who was playing checkers.

“He said you don’t need to worry about him,” Ron said, clearly quoting Hayden. “He remembers everything he promised you.”

Of course he’d send Ron to say that instead of coming himself. Classic Hayden move avoiding the awkwardness of another emotional goodbye.

If I was the one thing holding him back, I had to be the one to give him space to finish what he started. I nodded, exhaling. “Fine. Let him handle it. But seriously, I can’t sit here forever. It’s safe, sure, but I’m about two minutes away from losing it from boredom.” “You wanna go out?” Ron asked, catching on immediately.

“Yeah. And FYI, the food here sucks,” I added with a dramatic eye roll.