Page 74 of Romeo
“I almost suffocated!” the girl snapped breathlessly as her knees buckled.
Bones and the other man with him hefted her up, so she wouldn’t collapse.
Dante jumped from the chair near where she stood. “Set her down here.” He motioned to the chair.
The two Rebel Saints moved her over and sat her down.
Lowering her head into her hands, she cried, “There were dead people in that crypt. It was pitch dark after they shut the door. I thought I would die there!” She wept.
Dante looked a bit pale as he sat on the chair arm and timidly reached out to pat her back.
I watched him. Well, damn. Shaking my head, I looked over at Valencia. “Who is she and why did you lock her up in Neversmile’s crypt?”
Valencia shook her head. “My moth…” She sighed heavily. “O, had her as a secretary. She had lots of help like this. Servants. People who had no place else to go.”
“I had someplace! Then my family was killed and she took me in,” the girl said as she raised her head. “I don’t know why you wanted to get rid of me so badly.”
Valencia looked at her with sadness in her eyes. “Della, I didn’t want to tell you the truth, but I found out from Maddox…” She swallowed heavily then went on, “That your family was murdered.”
Della stared at her in shock as her face went white. “No! That can’t be true.”
Valencia had tears rolling down her cheeks too, as she admitted, “Believe me, I wish it wasn’t true. I asked Maddox if maybe it was an accident? But he said he did not know what happened to them. And after what I heard here today? I think she killed them.”
“W-what?” Della stammered as she looked confused.
“With all the things she’s done, I can’t deal with you right now.” It was Valencia’s turn to cover her face in her hands.
Della glared at her as she stood from the chair. “You are two things, V. A bitch and a liar!” She stumbled over to her and jumped at Valencia. Grabbing her ziptied wrists, she dragged her to the floor and started punching her.
Julianna looked astonished as she leapt onto Della and tugged her off of Valencia.
“Let me go!” Della shouted.
I didn’t really know what to do about a girl fight, but I felt concerned for Julianna.
Dante came over and grabbed Della up. Wrapping his arms around her, he tried to subdue her.
At the same time, I helped Julianna up.
“You women will stop this right now!” my father yelled.
“Wow,” was all I could say.
Chapter Twenty:Rinse And Repeat
Julianna
Valencia sat on the floor as she lamented, “O was no saint, Della. Believe me. I loved her, I admired her. But today…” Her voice cracked. “I found out the truth about her. When these people tell you about her, you’ll understand.” She peered up at Della. “I put you in that crypt so they would find you. I knew they were going to break into it. Deacon and I were going to leave the country and the Russians have already left. So, I did feel like the Descalias would take you in and you could have a better life.”
“That’s insane, V!” Della argued. “You put me in a crypt, so I could be saved?”
Romeo nodded at Valencia as he extended his hand out to help her up. “She has a point.”
“I was all out of ideas and Della refused to leave.” Valencia grabbed his hand and stood, but she wobbled on her feet.
He reached out to steady her.
“Can we untie her?” I asked as I looked over at Talon then at Stephano.
