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“No? Let ot out of jail—”

“Juvenile detention For so I didn’t even do,” I corrected

“Right,” he scoffed “You got out of kiddie prison and aged out of care, right?”

I set my jaw in a firm line and crossed my arms over

“It was a stroke of luck, that wo the house “So, you’re thinking, what? You’ll move in and live off her like a tick?”

“No,” I growled It was a testament to howclock

“Uncle Dex” Juliet’s harsh voice pierced our glaring contest “Don’t you dare talk to Roman like that” She hurried to ainst ht”

“I’m worried about you, Julez”

“I haven’t seen you inthe wind,” she sneered

Dex winced

But Juliet wasn’t finished “Then, you show up unannounced and i the one person who actually cares about me?”

“I care about you”

“Yes,” she said with a heavy dose of sarcasm “The post cards you sent froood when I was scared here all byfor me”

I tilted my head and stared at her She always see she’d been so scared and alone while I ay I nudged her hand with ers around mine

“He hurt you?” Dex snarled

“That’s not the point”

“The hell it isn’t”

She ground her teeth “I love you, Uncle Dex And I’et to shohenever it’s convenient for you and play paternal protector”

Oof Those last words landed on Dex hard I aluy His shoulders slu his elbows on the table “Juliet, I’uys—”

“What’s changed?” Juliet snapped “You liked Roh before to help him find a job”

It was an odd experience sitting in theup But this see I said would’ve s worse Plus, I enjoyed this feisty side of Juliet

“I felt bad for hih the system But—”

“He still got railroaded!” Juliet exploded “Not that it’s even your business, but did you bother to ask if he even did what they accused him of?”