Page 94 of Romeo

“I don’t know.But I don’t intend to wait around and find out.”Rushing upstairs to my room, I retrieve my go bag from the corner, along with the tactical vest hanging in my closet.As I’m slipping it over my chest, I note that my Bible is not where I left it.

It’s sitting on the bed, open to Mark 4.

“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence!Be still!’Suddenly, the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid?Do you still have no faith?’”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I imagine the fear His disciples must have felt as the waves threatened to capsize their boat.Yet, He was there, able to calm the storm.I clench my hand into a fist and press it to my chest.

“Lord, be with me now.Calm the storm in my chest and help me find her, God.Please let me get there in time.”Tears burn in my eyes as I picture the way she looked, standing on the porch as I was driven away.

She’d looked scared.

Alone.

And now she’s likely both.

Not for long.I take a deep breath and turn away from the bed.“I’m coming, Jules.”

By the time I’ve made it downstairs, Tucker is dressed in his tactical gear.Beckett is far more casual than I’ve ever seen her, wearing jeans and a black T-shirt.

“Ready?”

“I have a team prepped too,” Sampson offers.“They’ll meet us there but won’t move in without our signal.”

I nod at him and kneel to slip Romeo’s harness over him.I’ve prepped for a fight more times than I can count.I’ve walked into enemy territory without so much as breaking a sweat because Iknewthat I wasn’t walking alone.

And even though I know that still, feeling unsure what I’ll walk into now is a terrifying thought.

Crippling, if I let it sink in.

Straightening, I keep Romeo’s leash in hand.“Let’s go.”

Dodger buzzes Sampsonin without so much as a single question as to why.As we head up the drive to the estate, I look for any sign of Jules, though I’m not entirely sure what would even be out here.

We make it to the front, and I jump out, Romeo beside me.

Beckett, who’d insisted on riding along, gets out of the front passenger seat while Sampson climbs out of the driver’s side.Tucker, who’s been silent most of the afternoon, gets out opposite of me.

We’re ready for war, and the team Sampson called is just outside the gate, prepared to move in the second he calls.

We’ve just made it up the front steps when Dodger pulls open the door.One look at me and Tucker, and his expression falters.“You brought a murderer to my house?”he asks.“That man killed my friend.Your friend.”

“Odie Landers was my employer, not my friend.As for Riley Hunt, he’s been cleared on all charges,” Sampson tells him.“But I’m afraid I have some questions for you, Dr.Dodger.”He withdraws his badge and shows it to Dodger, who pales slightly.

“You’re a cop?”

“I am.Detective Sampson,” he says, placing his badge back inside his pocket.

Dodger crosses his arms, a mask falling into place over his expression.“And just what questions do you have for me?”

“Can we talk inside?”

“Wecan,” he says.“But I’m not allowing two fully armed men into my home when one of them was just picked up on murder charges.”

That’s it.What little control I’m maintaining slips, and I step forward, putting myself directly in front of the monster.

“Where is she?”I don’t have time for games.Not when Jules could be hurt, scared, or—worse.“Where is Jules?”

Dodger’s eyes widen slightly.“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

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