Page 98 of Dark Romeo

“Jesus Christ, Julianna,” Nora said. “Stop pointing that thing at him. You’ve been more jumpy than normal lately.” She leaned towards Roman and spoke to him from behind a hand, loud enough for me to hear. “I keep telling her she just needs to get laid.”

My cheeks burned. I didn’t care how relieved I was that Nora wasn’t in any danger, I was going to kill her myself. If I didn’t die of embarrassment first.

A grin began to form on Roman’s face. “Isn’t that funny,” he said, his eyes locked on mine, “that’s what I keep telling her.”

I’d have to kill him too.

I lowered my weapon but I didn’t slip it into my holster. I wasn’t ready to lower my guard just yet. Roman placed the box of cereal and bananas on the table before stuffing his hands in the front pockets of his dark jeans, a deceptively boyish move. Trust me, there was nothing boyish about this man. I hated myself for running my eyes greedily over his wide frame, his firm chest, his tousled hair getting caught in his long, dark lashes. Damn him for looking so good. My heart gave out a little kick of agreement. And damn you, heart. You’re supposed to be on my side.

I glared at Roman, the anger and shame from the way he’d rejected me the last time we spoke resurfacing to heat the underside of my skin.

If I were there…

Come here, then.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice hard. “What do you want?”

You didn’t hurt me enough the last time we spoke? Come back to rub it in? You will not find a stupid little girl pining over you, Roman Tyrell.

“Julianna Abigail Capulet,” Nora snapped. “I’m embarrassed for you. There’s no reason to be so rude to this nice young man.”

Roman Tyrell was a nice young man. And the devil was just a guy in a red suit.

If only she knew the truth about Roman. I wasn’t about to tell her. Not while the Mafia prince was standing here smirking at me.

“I was struggling with my groceries when dear Roman offered to help. He was waiting for you outside the building.”

I stared at Roman. “Why were you waiting for me?”

He shrugged, making his shoulders appear even more rounded, then shot me a roguish grin. I bet that grin got its fair share of use. I bet it worked too. Well, it wouldn’t work on me. “I just wanted to see you again.”

Liar. He wanted something. I could see it in the way he eyed me, like a cat eyeing a mouse. I wasn’t going to like whatever he came here for.

“Now that you’re home, Julianna, you two kids can catch up. In your apartment. Alone.” Nora gave me a big obvious wink and began to herd us both out of her apartment. “I can handle these groceries myself now, thank you.”

“Are you sure I can’t help clean up?” asked Roman, indicating the mess of jam and glass on the floor. I almost snorted. Suck up.

Nora, the flirt, just swooned at him and clasped her hands together. “Such manners! They don’t make men like you these days.”

“It won’t be any trouble, ma’am.”

“Oh, go on now. I’ll be fine, thank you.” She even had the nerve to bat her eyelashes up at him. Roman bowed—bowed? Who did he think he was?—to her before holding an arm out to me. “Ladies first.”

I glared at him. “And turn my back on you? Not a chance in hell.”

“Julianna!” Nora admonished me again.

Roman dipped his head at Nora, an amused twist to his lips. “It’s fine. She just wants to watch the view as I walk away.” He winked as he sauntered past me.

The nerve! I was left gaping after him.

Nora shoved me out the door after Roman before I could protest. “You have fun with this handsome young man, Julianna.” She sent me a grin, wiggled her eyebrows, and gave me a thumbs up before she slammed the door in my face. Leaving me in the corridor alone. With Roman Tyrell.

JULIANNA

____________

I stood there staring at Nora’s closed door, debating over whether banging on it for her to let me in would seem smart or just cowardly. I could feel Roman’s stare burning into my back.

---