Page 29 of Deadly Lies

“I know, right? And there are all these highlighted passages. About being innocent. Grant, I know you think I’m nuts…but could he be innocent?”

Grant gripped my hand, a look of anger replaced by worry. “Mia. Please. I beg of you. Listen to me. As the father of your child, as your husband. You need to stop. The FBI will figure out how that girl who visited Joaquín was involved in Sienna’s disappearance. That’s not your job.”

He didn’t even acknowledge my question. “Oh, but it is my job. I’m an NCIS agent now, remember?”

“Yes, babe, and I’m proud of you. But you are too close to Joaquín’s case. This is not your fight. Not your battle. You were the victim, for fuck’s sake.”

“I know that. But I’m the only one who can get through to him. I can’t just give this up. I can’t give up on him. I thought I could, Grant. I tried. Really, I did.”

I debated telling him that I had almost certain proof of Joaquín’s innocence, but I held back. I wanted more proof. The log in my hand. Statements from the rest of the Team. Surveillance of the base that night proving that Joaquín didn’t leave. That way, when I told Grant, he would have to believe me.

So, I decided to wait.

“But I can’t give up.”

“You have to, Mia. Please. For me. For Julián. Hell, for Joaquín! He wants you to move on. With me.”

I glared at my husband. A man I loved. A man I trusted and would do almost anything for. But not that.

Why did I feel like he was trying to stonewall me? He’d never wanted me to visit Joaquín, but for the past few months, he had practically done everything but prevent me from seeing him.

Why?

What was his agenda?

To protect me?

That was insane. Joaquín was behind bars. We were free. Joaquín could not hurt me.

I didn’t give him an answer. And I was too tired to fight.

We went back to the hotel. I ordered room service. Luckily for me, there were many vegan options. Grant ordered a steak, then he chose some war movie to watch.

And I just sat there staring at him. My husband.

We were married. Had a beautiful son together. Had a great life. I loved him with all my heart.

But why did I feel that he wasn’t being truthful?

I couldn’t shake the feeling that Grant was keeping something from me.

Marriage ebbs and flows. I had learned this over the past few years.

But you never truly know your spouse. Grant, like Mitch and my brother, was a SEAL. He was a killer by his own admission. And even though he was the only man I had ever loved, would ever love, I just didn’t trust him.

15

Ashley

WE DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL with Sienna. This poor girl had gone through hell and back, but she was still sweet. I had never seen myself as a mother, but for some reason, being with Sienna, my maternal instinct dripped out of me.

Even worse, watching how much Mitch cared about his daughter turned me on.

Was this biology? Or something deeper? Mitch and I had been through this traumatic experience. We were now deeply bonded.

Luckily, the hospital visit was quick, as they were waiting for us with a police officer present. Thankfully, Sienna had not been sexually abused. Mitch breathed a sigh of relief, as did I. That was always my greatest fear about my sister. That she was living somewhere, alive, being sexually tortured. I read about women who had been locked in a house for years, abused by their torturer. And those who have been kidnapped as children by pedophiles. Or even Pat’s wife Annie, who had been sex trafficked and forced into prostitution.

The real world was so scary.