Page 44 of Romeo

“What’s your favorite childhood memory?”I ask her.“A happy one.”

She rests her hands in her lap and toys with the shirt she’s wearing.“My sixth birthday.I can’t remember much, but I remember my parents taking me on a Ferris wheel.My grandfather came, and it was just the best night.There wasn’t anything in particular that happened.I just remember feeling so happy.Like things couldn’t get any better.”She sighs.“And boy, was I right.”

I long to reach over and touch her hand.To take it and promise her that the happiness isn’t over.That we’ll stop the killer hunting her and she can start the next chapter of her life.But since I sense that wouldn’t go over well, I keep my hands to myself.

“Mine was when my dad brought us out here.I was only seven or so, but I remember staring up at it in disbelief.I’d been so sure I was dreaming that I brought my horse out here first thing the next morning just to make sure it was still here.”

Jules laughs softly.“That’s great.”

“It was.”I sigh.“Look, I didn’t have the childhood you did.But I want you to know that it doesn’t have to end in misery.”

“You have no idea the weight I carry, Riley.”When she turns toward me, the pain is back in her emerald gaze.

“I know.And I’m sorry you feel as though you have to carry it alone.”

My phone rings, a shrill tone cutting through the silence.I pull it from my pocket and nearly groan when I see Odie’s name pop up on the screen.When I show it to her, those walls she’d been just starting to lower shoot right back up.

“Hunt,” I answer, putting it on speakerphone.

“I need you to deliver a message to my sister.”His tone is agitated.Curt.Good.Then maybe he’ll think twice before berating his sister again.

“What’s the message?”

“I’m burying our grandfather the day after tomorrow.She can either come or miss the funeral.Frankly, I don’t care either way.I’ll send you a text with the details.”

Jules’s expression turns furious.

“She was stabbed a couple of days ago and nearly died.You can’t wait for her to heal?We have an appointment with?—”

“I’ve waited long enough,” he interrupts.“I’ll be putting him to rest with or without her.Tell her I hope she comes, for his sake.”The call ends.

I’m even more furious at Odie for destroying the momentary peace she’d seemingly found.I take a breath and give her a moment after the call before I ask, “Are you okay?”

“I am going to that funeral,” she says.“With or without you.”

And the walls are back.“I’ll take you.You don’t have to do it alone.”

“When will we leave?”

My phone dings, so I check the text from Odie.

Odie Landers: The funeral will be at Wallace Funeral Home, followed by a trip to the cemetery.Closed casket.Service starts at two in the afternoon the day after tomorrow.

“We’ll leave in the morning.That way we can make the most of the trip and head to your grandfather’s estate too.”

Chapter17

Jules

The last time I stood on the stoop of my grandfather’s estate—terrified to go inside—was when I finally managed to get away from my captor and make my way back home.

I’d stood here, tears in my eyes, so scared to face the man who raised me.

Odie had been the first one to find me.He’d told me that I should have just stayed gone because all I was going to do was “break the old man’s heart all over again.”I still remember the joy that I’d felt at seeing him again… and the crushing pain when he’d looked at me with disgust.

Tears burn in the corners of my eyes, but I don’t let them fall.Instead, I clench my hands into fists at my sides and let that sadness turn into anger.Anger, I can manage.Sadness will take me to a dark place I never want to be again.

“Are you doing okay?”Riley asks me.