Page 66 of Romeo

Jules

“He’s gearing up to announce his candidacy for governor.People who do that don’t want their secrets coming to light.”

Governor.

What makes me absolutely sick is that I don’t doubt he could get elected.He’s charming on the surface.A friendly smile and a reputation for doing great things.It’s highly unlikely that anyone knows about the serpent slithering beneath.The monster he keeps caged within, only letting it free when behind closed doors.

I finish applying my lotion for the night then stare at myself in the mirror over my bathroom vanity.I can still remember staring at myself that first night I got home and thinking about how I couldn’t even recognize myself.

Who even was I anymore?

I wasn’t a kid.

Not quite an adult either, even if the law considered me one.

All of the clothes I had were still those of a happy teenager.Bright, funny T-shirts, jeans with tears in the fabric, graphic tees from some of my favorite bands.I remember showering for over an hour when I got home, then putting on a pair of pajamas with smiling pineapples all over them, then lying in bed and crying the rest of the night.

The very next day, I’d asked my grandfather for a new wardrobe then ripped everything out of drawers and off of hangers.Nothing stayed.Not even a single sock.I was changed when I got home, so I needed that to change too.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath.

I’m no longer a teenager.

And I’m certainly not helpless.

Riley’s face swims into my memory.I know he’ll protect me.But what happens if Glen isn’t behind it?What happens when Riley goes home and I’m here all alone?You are no longer helpless,I remind myself.

And if Glen Dodger’s seriously going for a political position, the chances of him showing up here and trying to repeat what he did all those years ago is low.Because I’ve learned from my past mistakes—I’ll report him the moment I get a chance.

A soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts, so I set my lotion bottle down then head out into the bedroom to pull the door open.

Riley is standing on the other side, wearing gray sweatpants and a black T-shirt stretched across his muscled chest.He’s freshly showered, his hair still wet, and both feet are bare.Romeo isn’t with him—my guess is the pup’s sleeping soundly back in the room Riley is staying in.

He runs a hand through his hair.“Hey, I—sorry to bug you.Were you asleep?”

“No.I wasn’t.”I’m not angry at him anymore, not really, anyway.Because I know he meant well, and hurting me was not what he was aiming to do.Truth be told, it hadn’t hurt to hear the name; it was the idea that the men at the table would all start looking at me andonlysee a victim.

But Iama different person now than when I came home that night.

And it’s that strength I will stand on going forward.

“Is everything all right?”I ask when he doesn’t immediately respond.

“Yeah, I just wanted to show you something.If you have a few?”

“What is it?”

“It’s more of a show than a tell,” he replies with a slightly uncomfortable smile.

“Okay.”I step out into the hallway and crack my door.“Where are your brothers?”

“All sleeping.Except for Tucker, he’s like a dog with a bone right now.”

“Oh?And what’s the bone?”He eyes me, and I know without asking that it’s none other than Glen Dodger.“Gotcha.Well, hopefully, he’ll find something.”

“If there’s something to be found, Tucker will find it.”

“Would it help if they did know the truth?”I ask, stopping in the hall.“I don’t want to hinder the investigation.If telling them the entire truth about what happened will help, then do it.”

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