7. - – Dean #2
“My brothers were grieving. So was Pop, but being the only girl, the loss of Mama left me grieving in a way they’d never understand.
It was me and her against the world. You know the men in the family have a special bond because of the ranch—one I don’t belong to.
A piece of me died with Mama. By the river, you did more than help me find my tears and hold me while I said goodbye. You gave me hope.”
I didn’t want to ask, but she’d opened the door. “Then why not text or call me back?”
She stiffened in my arms, then grew eerily silent. We’d live in limbo until Jules shared the darkness stalking her.
A ragged exhale escaped her, rattling her body and radiating pain thick enough to choke on. I pulled her closer.
“When I went back to college after the funeral, the hope you inspired was ripped away because he left me forever damaged.” A weak sob trailed behind her words and echoed through the crumbling chambers of my heart. It’s what I feared.
“Jules, what the fuck happened? Who hurt you?”
I squeezed my eyes tight, blocking out the world like when I was a child trying to ignore the monsters under the bed—maybe it’d work this time like it did then. But when I felt the wetness of her soundless tears burning my flesh, the protector inside roared to life.
Determined, I watched every droplet fall, each one making me more hell-bent to avenge her.
Those tears stole her angelic appearance.
Someone tried to clip her wings. I brushed, then kissed the salty pain away.
She tasted of rain and sorrow. When her eyes met mine—I knew—some fucking piece of shit ‘boy’ took a part of her.
One she didn’t willingly give. The pieces of the puzzle clicked into place.
I tried to tug her even closer, wishing I could open my ribcage and tuck her safely away where no one else could touch her again.
Jules must’ve felt my desire to protect her because whatever force of will she’d been using to cage the pain snapped.
She shrieked—rage poured from her body in heaving sobs that shattered my soul.
Despair-filled howls reverberated throughout my home until she grew too weak to carry on.
I’d never felt more worthless in my life.
All I could do was hold her while she shattered, knowing I’d help pick up every fucking piece.
In a hoarse rasp, Jules spoke. “The worst—” She swallowed. “Or maybe the best part is I don’t remember much.” She hiccuped.
“He drugged you?”
“According to the toxicology report.” Her tone turned numb.
In that moment, blinded by rage was redefined.
I spoke in a whisper with my fury scarcely contained. “He’s in prison?”
“No… I tried. He walked.”
Fuck! I thrashed internally. She needed my strength, not my wrath.
In a grief-stricken murmur, she continued. “That legal battle hurt… more. The fight for justice was so much worse. I’d suffered longer and relived it for nothing.”
MOTHERFUCKER! I couldn’t stop the trembling. I just hoped it was lost to her since she was shaking too.
The twins had known. Had they been with her?
Jett would’ve killed him. I need to end him—now.
Shit, that’s why she didn’t tell me… or Jett.
She’d already lost too much—her mother, then the dead-man-walking took a part of her she didn’t offer.
Jules stayed silent because she wouldn’t risk her brother or the man she loved.
“The twins knew.” How my voice stayed unaffected was beyond me.
“Of course, I told them—I needed them. We do everything together, including fighting each other’s battles.”
I can’t say it didn’t hurt not being the one she turned to, but I understood why she went to them over me and Jett. Her eldest brother is a hothead, and I’m too protective for my own good at times. She needed the coolness of Jonah and the lightheartedness of Jace.
“What can I do, Jules?”
With an inhale, she said the last thing I expected. “Forgive me.”
“What the fuck for?” There was rage tucked beneath my soft whisper as I cupped her jaw to start the journey of neutralizing her past, one kiss at a time.
Everything made sense now—the haunted haze in her eyes was hidden pain. The barely contained rage was a desperation for vengeance. She’d ghosted me because that predatory bastard stole from her, and she blamed herself.
“For pushing you away. I didn’t want to, but it broke me, Dean. I couldn’t come back to you shattered beyond repair.”
“Hey—” I pushed up to sitting and took her with me, leaning against the headboard with her in my arms and my eyes locked on hers.
“Break you—never. You’re too strong to ever be broken by a coward.
Altered—yes. But Jules, many things can evoke a metamorphosis.
You’re stunning inside and out. You’re not fractured. You’re fucking exquisite.”
“I don’t deserve you, Dean.”
“Agree to disagree, Princess.”
She snuggled down into my arms. “You’re a brute.”
“Your brute.”
“It would appear so.” Jules yawned, and before I could say another word, her breathing evened out, and she was fast asleep.
I snagged my phone and pulled up my thread with the twins.
Me
She told me.
Jonah
You push?
Me
No. She was ready.
Jace
How is she?
Me
Hurt. Healing. Wounded but brave. Wiped out and asleep… relieved, I think.
Jonah
She loves you.
Jace
Always has.
Me
I know that now.
Jonah
How are you?
Me
Deadly, vengeful, murderous, hungry for blood. And needing to do something.
Jonah
She with you?
Me
Of course. Wrapped up tight in my arms with no plans of letting her go.
Jonah
Then you’re doing everything you need to be doing.
Me
She deserves justice. To be avenged. I’m losing my mind plotting murder and I don’t even know his name.
The bubbles danced. Stopped. Started. Stopped. Then…
Jonah
She’s gotten it.
My thumbs worked at warp speed without jostling her.
Me
He didn’t spend a day in prison.
Jace
Not wrong
Me
That’s not justice or vengeance.
Jonah
There’s no justice for what he did to Jules. Just retribution.
Bubbles danced.
Jonah
And that’s exactly what was delivered… cruel unrelenting retribution.
Jace
Dean… it’s handled.
Me
How?
Jonah
Me.
I reread the texts over and over to make sure I understood. Another came in.
Jace
Hold her, man. Take care of her. You’re the only one who can give her what we couldn’t.
If I was understanding the texts correctly, Jonah murdered, possibly tortured the responsible party. I was more than okay with that. Possibly a little sad to have missed it.
Me
And what can I give her?
Jonah
Resurrection. Give her a reason to live again.
Jace
Love Dean… Teach her to be loved again because it’s always been you.
Slay her demons. Be her light. Love her. Show her what she thinks is broken is actually beautiful. I can do that.