Page 349 of Romeo

“They’ve been looking for me.”

“I know.”

“Banshee promised her he’d find me.”

“I know that too.”

“And Angel has been searching.”

“Still doesn’t mean you owe anybody somethin’ before you’re ready.”

I looked down at his arms wrapped around me. “That sounds selfish.”

“No, it sounds like you found out two days ago that your entire goddamn family tree is different than you thought.”

A reluctant smile tugged at my mouth. Jasper caught it immediately.

“There she is.”

“Don’t.”

“Wasn’t gonna say anythin’.”

“You already did.”

His grin appeared, and for the first time that morning, the pressure in the room eased. I leaned into him and looked at the phone again. Three photographs. Three strangers. Three people connected to a name I had never known belonged to me.

“What would you do?”

Jasper’s smile disappeared. I regretted asking almost immediately because I knew what he would say. Jasper had been careful since yesterday not to push me toward any decision. I also knew him well enough to know he had an opinion.

“I asked what you would do,” I added. “Not what you think I should do.”

He studied me for a moment before leaning back. “If it was me, I’d probably need to know.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

“Yeah, well, I’m nosy as fuck.” His mouth twitched before he became serious again. “But I’d also be pissed if somebody decided I had to have the conversation before I was ready. There’s a difference between tellin’ them you’ve been found and handin’ them your phone number.”

I looked toward the window. That difference settled slowly. I had been thinking about the choice as all or nothing. Either they continued searching, or I opened the door and let them into my life. It didn’t have to work that way.

“I could tell them I’m safe.”

Jasper nodded but stayed quiet.

“Nothing else.”

“Whatever you want.”

“King could tell them Carly found Kaitlyn Grace.” I hated how strange it felt referring to myself that way. “He could tell them I know who they are and I’m not ready to talk to anyone.”

“He can.”

“No phone number.”

“Nope.”

“No location.”