Page 5 of Romeo

“You’ll keep it confidential?”His gaze darts from me to Bradyn then back to me.“As I said before, our family is very well-known.The last thing we need is a scandal with Jules’s name attached to it.Especially when we don’t know the truth just yet.”

“I assure you, Mr.Landers,” I start, popping a piece of gum into my mouth.“The only thing I’m better at than keeping secrets is tracking those who don’t want to be found.I’ll track your sister, and I’ll do it without anyone knowing why.”

“Thank you so much.”He gathers his file and stands, then leaves the office without so much as a backward glance.As soon as the door is closed and we’re alone, I turn to Bradyn.

“What’s your radar saying, big brother?”

“That he knows more than he’s telling us.”Bradyn crosses his arms.“Just watch your back, Riley.And if something seems off, trust your gut.”

“I always do.”

Chapter3

Jules

Another day.Another name.Another place.

I pull the baseball cap lower on my face, hoping to shield the still-healing injury on my forehead, as I watch the screen on the other side of the restaurant I’m sitting in.

I keep waiting to see my grandfather’s face up there.Waiting to see if anyone is out looking for the killer—or me.But it’s been radio silence for the last week.Fear has kept me from going home and reaching out.Fear that the killer will find me and Odie will get caught in the crosshairs.

And worse—fear that the killer did just what he said he was going to and find a way to make it look like I murdered the man who raised me.A man who I loved more than life itself.I can only hope Odie saw through it, but with my past?—

I shake my head.

“You are not defined by your past.Moses was a murderer.Noah was a drunk.Yet, God still used them.Jesus died so you could have a chance to live.So, what will you make of that life, girl?What will you make of your second chance?”My grandfather’s words echo in my mind, a reminder that I amnota drunk anymore.I amnotbroken.And I will find a way to bring the killer to justice and reunite with my brother.

We may fight more than we get along.We always have.But he’s still my brother.Blood or not.

Despite the tension between us, I felt like we were right on the verge of turning a corner and growing close.Maybe even closer than we’d ever been.

Until grandfather’s killer knocked us down and scattered us again.This time, permanently.My throat constricts with emotion I’ve tried to ignore for the last week.Tears won’t get me anywhere.

“Hi, is this seat taken?”A deep baritone fills my ears as a man points to the chair beside me.

“It is,” I tell him without looking up.Don’t let them see your face.As famous as my grandfather was, both Odie and I have been seen at various red-carpet premieres.While it’s been years for me, the last thing I need is to risk anyone recognizing me.

“Oh, my mistake.”He keeps moving along, but not before I get a glimpse of him as he turns away.

Tall.Broad shoulders.Likely muscled beneath that leather jacket.

In another life.Before any desire I had to get close to anyone was ripped away from me.

I take a sip of the coffee in front of me then toss some bills on the table before I stand and turn to leave.The restaurant is crowded, though it could be like this every single night, and I wouldn’t know.Aside from hotels, Inevervisit the same place twice.

Another rule for not being noticed.Something I’ve become quite adept at over the years.

After stepping out into the warm summer air, I make my way across the street toward the hotel I’m staying at.

It’s far from the Ritz, but the bed is comfortable, and the room is clean.It’ll be my home for one more night; then I’ll be moving on from here too.Likely to another city since the pawn shops here are claiming they know nothing about any jewels fenced.

Aside from the ones I sold, of course.Jewels I grabbed from the floor of my grandfather’s study after returning to check to see if he’d somehow survived.I’d known he hadn’t, but I’d been praying for a miracle.

It broke my heart to sell such prized possessions, but to survive, I need untraceable money.So here we are.My grandfather’s life was worth far more than anything I could sell.Which means getting vengeance for his death is also priceless.

After unlocking the door, I step inside and immediately flip on the lights.The place is clean, everything exactly where I left it.I toss the keycard onto the table and remove my hat, letting my blonde hair fall loose to my shoulders.

I run both hands through it and let out a deep breath before retrieving the notebook I’ve been using to jot everything down over the past week.“Back to square one?—”

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