Page 59 of Dark Romeo

Alberto nodded. “Thank you, Gio. I stand by my statement that not I nor any of my family had anything to do with the death of your son. The people who did this, cut a V across his chest to make it look like we did. I propose that we call a truce while we search for the real murderer because they are targeting my family as much as yours.”

“These mysterious murderers haven’t killed your son, have they?”

“No, but they might.” Alberto lifted his hands, palms open, in a gesture of surrender. “Think about it. You can call me when you have an answer.” He turned and the men closed ranks around him, creating a wall as he strolled out of the warehouse.

I could hear father growling, his fingers twitching at his side, as he watched Alberto walk away.

“Do you believe him?” I asked my father once we were back inside the bulletproof limo.

He snorted. “Of course not. The Veronesis are liars.”

“Is he really that stupid to start a war between our families? Why? And why now?”

My father sighed. “I am getting old, Roman. In murdering Jacob, he weakened our family. I don’t think Alberto ordered the hit, it was too brash, too messy to be his style. I do think he knows who did it. Someone in his family maybe, one of his sons trying to impress him or to make a play for power.”

“Dante, the second brother, is reckless enough,” said Abel. “It’s common knowledge he’s been making power plays as to who will rule the family once Alberto is gone. The power struggle between the brothers could be their downfall.”

“Are you going to accept the truce?” I asked.

“Of course. It’s to our advantage to play along.” There was a glint in his eyes. “Mark my words, son, we are going to get our revenge.”

JULIANNA

____________

It was late by the time I left the station. Almost nine o clock. I’d buried myself in my work all day to avoid thinking about Roman and the revelation that he was a Tyrell. A Tyrell and my prime suspect. As I walked out the back exit into the parking lot, the heels of my boots clacking against the concrete, echoing between the dark locked cars, I had nothing left but my thoughts.

Why had he lied to me about his last name? How could he be so callous as to trick me? And why?

A thought struck me with such force that I gasped. I had heard of the creative ways that criminals used to blackmail people. He had insisted that we go to his hotel room. I had…I had let him do whatever he wanted to me. Dear God. What if he had photos of me? Footage? I felt sick.

I was so absorbed in my thoughts I didn’t register that I wasn’t alone. Something shifted in the dark before me. A wide figure detached itself from the shadows. I halted, my heart slamming to my throat and my fingers going to my gun at my hip.

He stepped into the light, his familiar features made harsh by the shadows. A jolt of pain and confusion slammed through me.

It was Roman.

What was he doing here?

His stare was pinned to me, his eyebrows drawn together in a look that, if I didn’t know any better, I’d almost call desperate. He was here for me.

He shouldn’t be here. We were meters from the entrance to the police station. If he were caught…

Roman started forward, his mouth opening as if to call for me?—

“Julianna!” My father’s voice cut through the air from behind me.

Roman gave me one last piercing look before he melted back into the shadows. I felt a tug inside my gut as he disappeared.

I spun, my heartbeat so erratic against my ribs I was sure my father would hear it. He cut across the parking lot towards me with his familiar long stride. From the calm look on his face I knew that he hadn’t seen Roman.

Roman… What had he wanted? Had he come to gloat? To taunt me? Had he come to blackmail me? To name his terms for his silence?

Roman’s not like that, a voice inside me said. Give him a chance to explain…

Don’t be stupid, Julianna. He lied about who he was to get you in bed. Don’t fall for his lies again.

I realized my father, now standing before me, had said something. I shook myself. “Sorry. What?”

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