A male reporter stood in front of yellow tape that cordoned off an area near the shore.
His voice was muted by the volume level, but it was still loud enough that I could make out what he was saying.
“I’m here in Southern Oregon, twelve miles south of Harrisburg Beach where the bodies of five men were discovered early this morning by local fishermen. At this time, neither the cause of death nor the victims’ identities have been released, but we are told this is being considered a homicide investigation.”
He gestured behind him. “As you see, we’ve had constant activity by law enforcement agents, but so far, no official statement has been made.”
He returned facing forward. “But a local resident who wanted to remain anonymous spoke with me, telling a sordid story about this corridor being used for drug trafficking, their small community wrought with a string of fentanyl overdoses. While we have no confirmation of a connection, there is speculation that this morning’s grisly discovery may be related. We’ll bring you more details as we have them.”
The camera cut to the female reporter in the studio. “Thank you, Greg. And after this break, we’ll be back with your weather forecast…”
The peel of giggles coming from the kitchen ripped my attention away, and I shook off the chills that slid down my spine.
I hated it.
Hated the violence and cruelness and the horrible things that infiltrated our homes and communities.
The things that destroyed our families.
That shiver cut deeper, the sickening thought of Dereck getting involved in something so deplorable turning my stomach. Last night, every scenario had spun through my brain as I tried to piece together what he had done that was so awful.
I just couldn’t imagine it or accept it. Not after he’d promised he would clean his life up. That he’d never repeat his mistakes.
But he hadn’t exactly been honest about that, had he?
I inhaled a cleansing breath, forcing it off, then fortified my armor again as I inched toward the kitchen archway.
Stalling at the threshold, I peeked inside.
Meems was on the other side of the bar, dumping ingredients for what looked to be a dessert into a big mixing bowl, while Elena was beside her with Kai in her arms.
She swayed and danced with him, the little boy’s soft curls bouncing around his chubby, pink cheeks, his eyes full of joy and mirth as she spun him around, nonstop giggles rolling out of his precious cherub mouth.
My heart squeezed. Squeezed so fiercely I didn’t recognize the sensation.
Sorrow and hope and this perception of protectiveness that came completely unbidden.
Silas had it all wrong. His determination to fight for that little boy with everything he had was whatmadehim human.
I should be afraid of it. Of the clear threat that he had made. But standing right there, I realized the lengths I would go, too.
Because that little grin only grew when Kai noticed me, and he reached a hand in my direction.
“Bwinwey!”
Elena stopped spinning him, and her expression brightened even further when she turned toward me. “Well, good morning, sleepyhead.”
I arched a brow. “It’s not even eight.”
She giggled. “We’re early risers around here. You’re going to have to get used to it.”
For real? There was a biker club across the property. You’d think everyone would be dead to the world until two.
And I would not be getting used to it. I wasn’t going to be around that long. This had to end, and it had to end soon. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could take it.
Not when Silas kept confusing every rationality that I possessed.
“We’re almost ready for breakfast dessert,” Elena added with a grin.
