Page 99 of Romeo

And I’m out here, trying to figure out just how I ended up falling absolutely in love with her even as I tried everything I could not to.Above even that, though, I’m trying to figure out where I fit into her life when mine is halfway across the country.

Sampson arrested both Helena and Glen, as well as the hitman who’d been with her at the time of the fire.Glen cracked like a walnut as soon as Helena confessed to everything she’s done to protect his name, and the two of them will be going away for a long,longtime.

They even filled in some blanks as far as Odie’s involvement.Which apparently included offering Jules up like an item for purchase when she’d been sixteen as a way to become the sole inheritor of the Landers estate.

According to Dodger, after she escaped and returned home, Odie used it to his advantage and blackmailed Dodger into doing whatever he needed done.

They all used her.

Each and every one of them.

My hands tighten on the railing of the porch as a fresh wave of anger washes over me.

Romeo whimpers and gets to his feet to rub against my leg.“I’m fine, boy,” I tell him then take a few deep breaths to try and steady my breathing.

Even if it still doesn’t feel like enough after everything they put Jules through, I can breathe a little easier, knowing they’re not walking free.They willneverhurt her again.No one will.Not as long as I live.

“Hey there.”

Turning, I take in the sight of Jules as she steps out onto the porch, wearing a pair of dark leggings and an oversized green sweatshirt.“Hey.How are you feeling?”

“Better.But a bit lost, if I’m being honest.”She stops beside me, leaning against the railing.

“Lost?”

“I don’t know what to do now.Everything I’ve been running from over the last ten years is out in the open.My grandfather is gone, my brother—I haven’t even had the chance to grieve either of them.I know that Odie wasn’t who I thought he was, but it still hurts.”

“I know.”

She seems lighter somehow, like the burden she’s carried with her has lessened just a bit.My hope is that it lightens even more every single day until she no longer carries the weight of it.

“For the first time, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.Even though I have no idea what I’m going to do.”

“What do you want to do?”I ask.It’s a heavy question, and I can’t help but wonder if she’s feeling the same pull toward me that I feel toward her.Will she want to move and start over?Stay here and pick up the pieces?

“My grandfather wanted me to have grand adventures.He wanted me to be happy.And I think I want both.But above all, I want peace, Riley.”Jules smiles at me.“Can I tell you something?”

“Anything.”

“I know I wasn’t alone.In that fire.The flames moved.Which I know sounds crazy, but they were in front of the door, then when I got to my feet after getting free, there was a clear path between them.A place for me to walk without getting burned.I should be dead.”

She’s not wrong.Her clothes weresaturatedwith alcohol.There is no logical explanation for why she walked away without so much as a burn.Even I ended up with some minor burns on my arms.But Jules?There wasn’t a single red spot on her.

The doctor couldn’t figure out how, but I know that God can do anything.Nothing compares to the power of blind faith.Which is what Jules had as she’d taken step after step through those flames.

“He kept you here,” I tell her.“Because you have a purpose.”

She smiles.“I’m starting to believe that, Mr.Hunt.”

“Good.”And because I can’t stand the distance any longer, I reach over and take her hand.“I never planned to feel this way.”

“And what way is that?”

“The kind of crazy in love that had me running into a burning house, prepared to lay down my life if it meant not having to live without you.”

Tears fill her eyes, and she takes a step closer.“I didn’t plan to feel this way either.”

“And what way is that?”I ask, repeating her question right back to her as I brush some of the blonde hair out of her face and tuck it behind her ear.

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