*
After Adam left, Mom sat with me until Dad got home. I could tell the news wasn’t good the second he walked in the door. He sat down across from us, rubbing a temple with one hand. “I couldn’t get a hit on her name or fingerprint. All that means is she’s never been arrested.”
“And the other thing?” I asked softly.
“DNA tests take longer. We won’t know for quite some time, unfortunately.”
“Oh.” I looked down, hiding the tears in my eyes. I had a suspicion what was going to return in that test was going to wreck our world.
Dad got up and sat on the other side of me. “Rylie, if there is some evil man out there who wants to hurt you, I will find him and kill him if I have to.”
I met his eyes and knew without a doubt that he meant it.
“I don’t want to fall asleep.” I leaned my head against my father’s shoulder. “I never thought I would say this, but I wish tomorrow wasn’t my birthday.”
“No matter what happens when you wake up, you are my little girl. I’ve loved you since the minute I laid eyes on your tiny little face. Nothing will ever change that.”
My mom made a noise of agreement, her hand rubbing my back.
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
I took three soda cans to my room, hoping the caffeine would keep me awake. I fought sleep tooth and nail, but before dawn came, it eventually won over.