Page 87 of Haunted

Tears glisten in her eyes, and I can’t take that damn look from her. That look and her words completely fucking destroy me. My heart that’s been fractured down the middle since all ofthis started, one half hers, the other half mine, starts weaving its way back together.

I squeeze my eyes shut and let my forehead fall back to hers. “I’ve tried so fucking hard to stay away from you, to keep my hands to myself and my feelings in check, but you make it impossible, Jules.”

“Then don’t.”

I open my eyes to see her beautiful golden ones staring at me, asking for things I want to give her so damn badly.

As I gaze back at her, I know one thing for absolute certain. When it comes to this woman, I’m completely and truly fucked.

24

JULES

ACOUPLE OF DAYS later, it’s Thanksgiving and we’re all at Luca’s parents’ house. I’ve ignored Theo as much as I can without coming across as rude to the rest of the family. I’d mentally prepared myself to see him again, but it hasn’t been easy avoiding his presence. Not when I constantly feel the pure malice radiating off him or the disturbing heat of his desire. It makes me sick to my stomach.

I wish I could just pretend he isn’t here, but I refuse to be impolite in front of the rest of the family that I’m learning to care for. I’ve only had a couple of opportunities to be around Helen and Wyatt, but from the beginning they’ve accepted and welcomed me into their family without question. And Ella, she’s become a friend. Vicki is still an unknown, as I’ve only seen her a couple of times and she’s always quiet. Her eyes were watchful as we were introduced, her arm possessively wrapped around Ella’s waist. I know her wariness stems from her love of Ella and her family, but I hope over time she’ll come to like me.

Aria. My heart expands every time I think of the sweet little girl. She reminds me so much of my baby sister. I ache with the misery of not having Teresa in my life, but Aria makes that ache not so pronounced. She’s only been in my life a short period of time, and I’ve only barely gotten to know her, but I’ve already started to love her as if she were my own. I’ve missed her so much over the last few days.

And Luca. My eyes sweep across the yard to find him standing with his dad. He has his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes are on me as his dad talks to him. I never would have thought it was possible for me to care for someone who has caused me so much pain in the past. I’m glad I don’t remember what happened all those years ago. On one hand, I’m terrified that if I do remember, it’ll spoil what I feel for Luca. On the other, I wonder if it would even make a difference. I don’t want to take the chance.

Luca has either stayed by my side or had his eyes on me since we arrived. With the weather being so beautiful today, Helen wanted us all to eat outside on the patio set Wyatt bought her a couple of months ago. Luca and I have both acted very platonic, not wanting his family to think anything is going on between us. Even so, I know his parents and Ella know something is going on. Luca hasn’t really been secretive about his animosity toward Theo, even though he hasn’t outright said anything. I’m not the only one Theo has been shooting daggers at with his eyes. Anytime Luca is near me, he alternates the hateful looks between Luca and me. The worried gazes from Helen and Wyatt aren’t lost on me, but I’m grateful they haven’t said anything. Yet.

A small tug on my hand has me clearing my mind and looking down into a set of beautiful blue eyes.

“Hey, Aria.” I smile at her.

Her eyes are somber, too somber for her a girl her age, and it hurts my heart.

“How come you don’t live with me and Daddy anymore?”

I’ve been waiting on this question and have tried to prepare for it, but I’m not.

I squat down so I’m on her level, keeping her small palm in my hand, and try my best to explain my reasoning in a way she’ll understand.

“I loved living with you, but your dad and I….” I take a moment to find the right words. “It’s just best for your dad and me not to live together.”

Her brows pinch together into a frown and indents form in her chin as she thinks over my answer.

“Is it because he hurt you?” I hold in my shock at her wobbly question, but she’s not done. She steps closer to me, her eyes pooling with tears. “I saw Daddy that night. I saw him hurting you. Why did he do that to you, Jules?”

My nose burns and my throat bobs as I fight back a quiet sob. This precious little girl should have never witnessed anything so vile, and it makes me physically sick and immensely angry that she did. I thought she hadn’t seen what her dad was doing, because she never asked me about it, but apparently, I was wrong. Silently, I condemn Theo.

When her chin quivers, it crushes my soul, and I pull her against my chest. Her tiny arms wrap around my neck and she hugs me just as tight as I hug her. My eyes lift and are caught by Luca’s worried ones. When he looks like he’s going to come over, I subtly shake my head, letting him know it’s okay. The last thing that needs to happen right now is for him to know that Aria saw what Theo did. I have no doubt Luca will lose his mind and go after Theo, and Aria certainly doesn’t need to see that. Her innocent eyes have seen enough.

I pull back and wipe away Aria’s tears. Cupping both of her cheeks, I make sure her eyes are on mine.

“I’m okay, sweetie. There are times when things happen that make people do things they normally wouldn’t do. It doesn’t make them a bad person, though.” I refuse to damage Theo’s character even more in Aria’s eyes. “I know he’s sorry for hurting me.”

Her lips purse out into a scowl, but luckily the tears have stopped. “I didn’t like him doing that to you.”

“I know you didn’t and you shouldn’t have seen that. I promise he won’t do it again.”

“Because you’re not coming back?”

Her question sends a shard of pain through me, because I can see the hopeful expression in her eyes that says she wishes I would.

“No, baby,” I say gently. “I’m not coming back. But even if I did, I know he wouldn’t do it again.” When her expression turns sad again, I can’t help but add, “I’ve been staying with your uncle Luca. Maybe you can come spend the night sometime.”

---