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“Don’t ever apologize for those things Theo has done to you We’re the ones who should be apologizing” When Jules opens her mouth to interrupt, Mom talks over her “I know it’s not our fault either, but you’re a part of this f

amily now, and we take care of our family, not hurt them”

Jules reaches out and grabs Morateful to be a part of your beautiful family”

Mo proud to know my family has Jules’s back Not that I ever doubted them Theo may be family, but they would never be okay hat he’s done It’s abhorrent and disgusting and fucking cruel

It turns quiet after that, each of us in our own thoughts as ait for the cops to arrive I’ her in my arms just as much as she needs to be there

I hope like fuck Vicki is right and Theo either leaves or keeps hiain, there’s no stopping the wrath that’ll rain down on him

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Luca

IT TOOK AN HOUR AND forty-five minutes for the cops to show up at my parents’ house

Fucking typical

Not because it was the holiday or because they’re understaffed It wouldn’t matter what day of the year it was, how many officers they had on duty, or if Vicki’s call was the only one they received that day The city just doesn’t fucking care enough about this section of town to get off their asses I’uise of serving and protecting citizens were in the parking lot of the local donut shop when the call fro their faces before heading here Domestic abuse and attempted rape is the nor deal

It took every bit of control I had andone of the officers out when his eyes slid over her in a sleazy way In the end, the visit was useless Even if Jules wanted to press charges, I highly doubt the cops would have actually pursued it The little fuckers didn’t seem one damn bit interested in what happened to Jules and didn’t even try to talk her into pressing charges They were only there for twenty lad to see them leave

We’re noalking in my front door When I see Jules wobble on her feet as she tosses her purse on the couch, I go to her I still wish she had let me take her to the hospital, but I understand why she didn’t want to She was there for seven years, and I’htens her

Grabbing her hips, I turn her to face me then loosely wrap my arms around her She looks at me with dreary and tired eyes

“Shower or bed?” I ask