Page 172 of Ace of All Hearts

We all expected her to get rid of him violently, but she chose peace, and I am proud of her.

Especially now that it means we can do whatever we want with him.

“Well,” Lik smirks. “Looks like you’ll be dealing with us instead.”

37

RACHEL

Rescue Me -OneRepublic

“Yes, at least twice a week. I promise,” Rose repeats for the fifth time to Juliette.

“Andonce every weekend. So that’s three times, right?” her little voice insists.

Rose pinches her lips and smiles. We’ve been in the doorway of the Murrays’ house for fifteen minutes, attempting to leave.

After freeing the other girls, we took Juliette to the hospital. Two weeks later, we’re bringing her to Rose’s favorite foster parents. They’re the ones with whom she had the most normal life, and they’re in the process of taking Juliette in.

Unfortunately, she had never been reported missing, and no one was looking for her. She said she was taken when she was three or four, although she wasn’t sure. She only remembers her mom, and we think she’s the one who gave her to the Wolves. For what reason, we don’t know. It could be anything.

Rose was adamant that she didn’t want to put Juliette in the system. She wants her with the Murrays until she can figure something out for her.

Juliette is holding the door tightly, Hannah and Thomas Murray standing behind her, but she won’t let go so we can shut it.

Rose squats in front of her and pushes Juliette’s long blonde hair behind her ears. “I will come to visit three times a week. Twice during weekdays and once during the weekend. But, you know, soon you’re not even going to want me to come anymore.”

“That’s not true,” Juliette pouts.

“So is. Because I stayed with the Murrays for a long time, and I know for sure that they are the best mommy and daddy you could have right now. You’re gonna be so spoiled, and you’re not even going to remember me.”

Juliette giggles and gives Rose a tight hug. “I miss you already.”

“Same. Now run along.”

Hannah puts a hand on Juliette’s shoulder. “How about we bake a cake this afternoon? What’s your favorite?”

Juliette shrugs and twists her hands in front of her. “I don’t know.”

I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop tears from falling. I can’t take this, it’s heartbreaking.

“Mine’s vanilla,” Rose helps her out.

“Rose and Jake never liked chocolate,” Thomas confirms. “But they do love vanilla.”

How ironic.

Juliette leans into Rose’s ear and whispers something that makes her chuckle. “Jake is my twin brother. Remember? We talked about him before.”

Juliette nods shyly as Rose goes back to a standing position. “I’ll bring him next time I come.”

“Okay.” Juliette turns to Hannah. “Vanilla is my favorite too. Like Ozy.”

“Vanilla cake it is, then,” Hannah smiles. She takes Juliette’s hand, and they head back inside the house.

“I’ll see you in a few days,” Rose tells Thomas as they hug goodbye.

“What about when they go away on work trips?” I ask Rose as we settle in her car. She puts it into gear, and we head out of the driveaway.

---