Page 41 of Depraved Truths

We spend the rest of the weekend together, and on Sunday, we find ourselves at her house, nestled comfortably on the back porch, glasses of wine in hand. The water stretches out before us, and a light breeze cools the late summer air. We talk easily, occasionally lapsing into a comfortable silence, as we savor the simple beauty of the moment.

“There’s something I haven’t told you. About me. About my family. About my sister,” my voice trails off as I think about Paisley. I see her innocent face as clearly as if it were yesterday.

She glances at me, placing her hand on my chest. “Allie told me you lost your sister.” Sympathy is evident in her voice.

“It was a lot more than that. It was my fault.”

Her steel-gray eyes implore mine, waiting for me to continue.

“I just had to throw that party. A last hurrah before leaving for college. Instead of doing what I was supposed to do—looking after my sister while my parents were out of town.”

“It happened so fast. One minute, she was there; the next, she was gone. Her body was found a couple of days later. Someone raped and murdered her. The police have never found her killer. My mother never fully recovered. They say they don’t blame me, but I blame myself. And I always will.”

Her hands reach out, touching my face, wiping away the tears I didn’t realize were falling.

“I’m so sorry, Eli,” she whispers, her eyes filled with emotion, unshed tears shimmering in them. “But it wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known someone that vile was lurking, waiting to prey on a young girl.”

“Maybe not. But I could’ve done more to find the monster afterward.”

“You were what, eighteen? What could you have done?”

“I could’ve been stronger. But I ran away. Ran to escape the pain. To bury my grief. Joining the Navy was probably the smartest thing I did. I’m not sure if I’d still be alive if I had stayed on the disruptive path I was on. I kept myself apprised of the investigation, but the police found nothing. Her case is cold. I’m not sitting around waiting anymore, though.”

“What do you mean?” she asks, her expression puzzled.

“The FBI recruited a former military buddy of mine after we left the Seals. He’s been looking into her case. He hasn’t found any MO matching her murder, but he’s discovered that more girls have gone missing.”

“Every year, two girls disappear in the counties surrounding Lake Lucia. All girls between thirteen and fifteen years old. They vanish, seemingly into thin air. On the night Paisley went missing, another girl disappeared. Of all the girls, only my sister’s body was found.”

Her gaze sharpens, taking in everything I’ve said. “So, the sheriff doesn’t think the cases are connected?”

“Correct. However, Jonah and I have established a connection between all the girls. He’s just received clearance a few days ago to officially take over the case.”

“What’s the connection, other than age?”

“Every single girl that was taken has been petite, with brown hair and blue eyes.”

Chapter 29

This isn’t how I pictured my life. Since I was a little girl, I’ve had a plan for how things should go. I would find the man I love, then walk down the aisle to marry him, wearing a picture-perfect white gown, all while surrounded by loved ones. Then, we would start a family.

That’s it.

It was all I ever wanted.

In that order.

I glance down at the one-carat pear-shaped diamond solitaire on the ring finger of my left hand. It’s still hard to believe I’m engaged. I was incredibly nervous telling Dalton about the pregnancy, but he seemed surprisingly calm, even happy. The next day, he proposed. While he may not be my knight in shining armor or my Prince Charming, I love Dalton, and we can make this work. There’s nothing I want more than to build a happy and loving family to raise our baby in.

The morning sickness has been horrible, and I’ve noticed a slight bump developing as my body has changed over the last few weeks.It fills me with utter happiness. After my visit to the obstetrician, my refrigerator now boasts an ultrasound of my precious peanut.

I can’t wait for all the firsts. The first flutter in my belly. The first kick. Holding a healthy, happy baby boy or girl in my arms for the first time. I can’t wait for the sleepless nights of nursing a newborn.

We’ll have a small ceremony with family and close friends in a few weeks. I’ve been working on the guest list, but Dalton insists on keeping it short. He says we don’t need a big wedding. As long as my parents, brothers, and Tessa are there, that’s all that matters.

After cleaning the house and preparing supper, I head outside in search of Dalton. He’s home from work today, and I haven’t seen him in a while. He’s converted an outdoor building into an office. I’m not supposed to go in there, because that’s where he keeps secure work documents.

My hand hovers over the door, ready to knock, but a raised voice stops me in my tracks.

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