Page 80 of Dark Romeo

That night, with my room smelling like the rose I’d set in a vase upon my bedside table, I found myself standing at my open window, my eyes instinctively searching the shadows below for any sign of Roman Tyrell. I swear I could feel his eyes on me. He’d entered my apartment through the window before. Maybe tonight…

Don’t be so stupid, Julianna.

I slammed the window down even though the night was warm, turned off the light and slipped into bed. I had to get him out of my head. I had to stop believing that I could help him. I had to stop imagining he wanted me to.

A small beep alerted me to a new text. I grabbed my phone and frowned. It was almost midnight. Who would be texting me now?

Unknown: Good night.

I stared at the phone number attached to the message. I didn’t recognize it. Perhaps Christian got a new number? I texted back.

Me: Who is this?

There was a pause before my phone beeped again.

Unknown: Somebody who shouldn’t be talking to you.

My stomach clenched as the image of a certain dark-eyed man rose in my mind.

Me: Roman?

Unknown: So we agree. We shouldn’t be talking.

It was Roman. He messaged me to tell me we shouldn’t be talking?

Me: What do you want?

Roman: Did you receive my gift?

I blinked hard. It was Roman who sent me the rose? I stared at my phone. I wasn’t sure what I supposed to say. Thank him. Swoon. Demand an explanation. All the above.

Me: If you’re talking about the rose, then yes.

Thank you, I added after a moment’s deliberation and hit send. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling. Startled. Happy. Angry. Confused was the only sure thing.

Roman: It’s an apology.

Me: For what, exactly?

Roman: I was rude earlier. I’m sorry. But it’s better this way.

Me: I don’t understand.

Roman: You have to stay away from me. And my family.

I gritted my teeth. He was trying to scare me off the investigation.

Me: Don’t you dare threaten me! I’m not dropping the investigation.

Roman: I’m not threatening you.

Me: Sounded like a threat to me.

Roman: I’m trying to warn you. You don’t want to get involved with us.

Roman: With me.

I stared at his messages. He wanted to warn me? Why would he do that?

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