Page 34 of Depraved Truths

I stir awake, blinking slowly, trying to focus on my surroundings. Where am I? It takes a moment to realize I’m still cradled in Eli’s arms, and I must admit, I feel safe here. Everything in mefeels grounded. My racing thoughts are at bay, and there are no nightmares. I swallow a sigh—I'm in quite a predicament. What started as sex has quickly become something more. I need to leave, even though I don’t want to. I disentangle myself from his embrace. He rolls over onto his left side, the sheets falling to his waist. Damn, if he doesn’t have the tightest ass I’ve ever seen. Fuck, I’m ruined forever. I tiptoe to the bathroom to pee, wash my face, and search for my clothes. The shower is in the middle of a remodel, which looks remarkable so far. He has good handiwork.Shit. Stop thinking about his hands. Get out of here now.Silently, I ease out of the bathroom and bedroom, giving him one last glance before sneaking away. I grab my clothes, throwing them on. My phone reveals it’s just after one in the morning. I rush to my car and drive home, scanning for any signs of danger. I’ve been more cautious since the break-in, and a glance over my security footage shows no unusual activity, inside or out. I grip the handle of my trusty pocketknife, just in case. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I head up the steps and enter the house. After securing the doors, and resetting the alarm, I rush through a quick shower and change clothes before retrieving my laptop from my secret room. Logging in, I pull up Bryce’s file on Ronald Tweed. Here we go, motherfucker.

Chapter 23

Iwake up to my alarm blaring. Reaching for Tess, I find only an empty bed. I can still smell her scent lingering on the sheets, but it’s clear she’s been gone for a while. That she could slip out without me knowing leaves me unsettled. Even before I joined the military, I was a light sleeper. She’s elusive, my Tessa.

After grabbing a shower, I get dressed and head downstairs. My phone dings with a new message, expecting it to be Jace or my mom—or perhaps a certain blonde goddess—I’m surprised to see Jonah Miles’ name pop up on the screen.

Call me.

The message is short and to the point, just like Jonah. It’s been nearly two years since I’ve heard from him. We first met during basic training and quickly became friends, both running from our troubled pasts. It was pure luck we ended up on the same SEAL team. When we left the Navy, I returned home to my friends and family, and he went to work for the FBI.

I try calling him, but there’s no answer. After leaving a voicemail, I hang up the phone, thinking his lack of answering is strange.

Grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator, I notice a black hair tie on the counter. I pick it up and run my finger across it, savoring the image of Tessa’s long blonde locks strewn across my pillow last night. Every encounter with her makes my obsession grow stronger, she’s seeped into my thoughts and dreams, she’s all I can think about. It takes everything in me to resist going back upstairs to rub one out, but I simply readjust my hardening length. Now is not the time, big guy. Looking at my watch, I head out the door and drive over to check on the renovation progress at the Cunningham residence. Jace is already outside, talking to the plumber. I glance over at what used to be the Johnson’s home; only black rubble remains. Days after the fire, it was confirmed that Conrad did indeed succumb to his injuries. Good riddance.

What if Ihadn’tbeen here working on this house that day? How much longer would it have taken for me to encounter my Little Killer?

Little Killer. She’s a sight to see with a weapon in her hand. If I didn’t know better—I’d say she’s had military training. Maybe she’s a trained assassin. I snort at the ludicrous thought.

“Hey, man,” Jace calls out. “Everything’s going according to plan. We should be able to wrap up in the next week.”

“That’s good. So, what else do we need to check on today?” I ask.

“You mentioned that Jane Hill wanted us to do something for her. We could swing by there. Maybe Tessa’s at home. Or is she still in your bed, keeping it warm for you?” Jace wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“Man, grow up.”

“Oh, so she’s not in your bed, huh?”

“Alljokes this morning, aren’t you?”

“I’m just saying. You’d have to be crazy to turn that down. So, if you aren’t interested—”

“Don’t even think about finishing that fucking sentence. She’s off-limits,” I growl, glaring at my best friend, fighting the urge to punch him in the face.

“Bro, I was just messing with you,” he says, backing away with his hands up mockingly. “I saw last night—there’s something going on between you two. And it doesn’t look like just sex to me,” he adds with a sly grin.

He’s far too observant for his own good. Changing the subject, I redirect the conversation toward safer territory, and we briefly discuss a few other projects we’re working on. He can handle most of this shit on his own.

I pat him on the shoulder before heading out. “You seem to have everything under control.”

“Hey, where are you going?”

I smirk back at him as I climb into my truck. “I’m going in search of a certain blonde.”

As I leave, I check my phone and find another missed call from Jonah. Immediately, I call back. After three rings, he picks up.

“This is Jonah,” he answers in a brisk tone.

“Hey, man, it’s Eli. Sorry I missed your call. How’ve you been?”

“Eli, I’m glad to hear from you. I’m good, just pretty fucking busy with work, but that’s nothing new. You?”

“Doing good. Living the small-town life, you know?” I chuckle. “Where are you these days? Still working with the FBI?”

“Yeah, hard to believe it’s been almost eighteen months now. And that’s partly the reason I’m calling you. There’s something you need to know.”

A sinking feeling hits my stomach.

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