Page 60 of Romeo

Tucker doesn’t immediately respond, and I sense he’s choosing the right words because, like me, he’s also furious.“I’ll gather that information for you, but there’s more to the story, and I want it before I deliver.”

“Fine.Also, if two or four of you can get here by the funeral tomorrow, you’ll likely prevent a murder.Or, at the very least, an assault charge on my record.”

“Care to elaborate on that one?”

“Odie Landers was responsible for immense suffering, and if he speaks to Jules in anything more than a positive tone tomorrow, I can’t promise I’ll handle it properly.I’ve already had to fight the urge to kick his door in a dozen times tonight.”

Once again, Tucker is quiet, though I hear some keys on his keyboard.“We’ll be wheels up in an hour.Don’t do anything until we get there.”

“Fantastic.”I end the call and cross my arms, studying Jules’s sleeping form.I’d sensed a darkness in her from the first moment I saw her picture.Now that I know exactly what put that haunted look in her eyes, the only thing I can think of is helping her remove it.

My mom always said that the devil attacks what God wants to use.There’s no doubt in my mind that the enemy turned his sights on Jules because of the light that was within her.Just as there’s no doubt in my mind that God has a plan for her.That she has a purpose greater than she can ever imagine.

I just have to keep her alive long enough to find it.

Lord, please keep her alive.Please guide me so I can put an end to her pain.And, God, please help me keep control of my temper.Help me heal this anger so I don’t do something foolish and bury both Glen and Odie six feet under right alongside Edgar.Amen.

Chapter21

Jules

Iprobably should feel foolish for last night.For pouring out my heart the way I did, but when I woke this morning, I couldn’t deny that I felt a bit lighter than I did when I went to bed.

Riley was asleep on the other end of the couch, sitting up with his head propped on his hand.I’d spent a few minutes studying the handsome lines of his face, the strength that radiates from him even when he sleeps, before heading into the kitchen to distract myself.

There’s a sleeping giant buried beneath his charming guy exterior.And I don’t doubt that he’s capable of being a deadly enemy.Even in my grief last night, I couldn’t keep from once again noticing the few scars on his arms and hair-dusted chest.He’s taken some hits, yet remains standing.

I guess we have that in common.Though I doubt he’s ever turned to a vice to cope with his pain.

What I can’t figure out is why he seems to care about me so much?Is it truly just because he feels as though God wants him to protect me?Do I believe that God brought him to me?

I crack a few more eggs into the bowl and scramble it up, then check the biscuits I put in the oven five minutes ago.It’s a late breakfast, given that it’s nearly ten in the morning, but I’d wanted to let Riley sleep as long as I could.

A knock at the door shocks me enough I nearly knock the bowl of scrambled eggs onto the floor.Romeo lets out a bark, so I rush out of the kitchen and start toward the living room to wake Riley.

He’s already on his feet though, gun in hand as he heads toward the front door.He puts his finger up to his lips and tells me to get back into the kitchen.I do as he says, hiding just out of view but grabbing a knife from the block just in case.

I hear the door open then muffled voices.

“You can come out,” Riley calls out.

I keep the knife in hand and come around the corner.Every single one of Riley’s brothers stands in my foyer, all of them dressed in dark suits.

“Hey, Jules,” Tucker greets with a kind smile, his blue eyes seemingly brighter when compared to the dark suit.

“Hey.What are you guys doing here?”

“Backup,” Elliot replies with a smile.“What is that smell?”

“Breakfast,” I reply with a smile.“And I guess I need to make some more eggs.”

“I’ll help,” Riley offers, his gun holstered at his lower back.

All of the brothers move past me and into the kitchen while Romeo wiggles his butt, happily greeting each one of them.

The relief that I feel knowing they’ll all be there today surprises me.It’s going to be a hard day.Between dealing with Odie and the funeral, I’d honestly wondered how I was going to survive it.

Now I know.

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