Page 119 of Dark Romeo

I slid myself slowly out of the tangle that was our bodies. She let out a soft moan as she shifted. I froze. Thankfully, she kept sleeping as I crept out her window.

The city was already awake below me. It was already too light. I was too exposed up here. Anyone could see me looking like a criminal slipping out of her window and onto the fire escape. Anyone. I took a risk going to her apartment last night. I took an even bigger risk in staying.

No more risks, I told myself. Stop being so fucking weak over her. She’s not worth it.

But even I knew that was a lie.

* * *

“What the hell happened last night?” Mercutio’s voice rang out.

I stiffened. Mercutio was standing in my living room, a blanket rumpled on the leather couch. He must have come here after he dropped Julianna off. He’d been waiting for me.

I shut my apartment door behind me. “How did you get in here?”

Merc tilted his head. “You gave me your spare key, asshole, and you didn’t answer my question.”

“Julianna got jumped by two hired guys last night.”

“And you just happened to be there?”

Smart fucker. “Yeah.”

“Some coincidence, huh?”

I gritted my teeth. “Some coincidence,” I repeated.

Mercutio’s eyes narrowed. He knew I was full of shit. “Who hired them?”

“I don’t know. I just got the handler’s name.”

Mercutio snorted. “I bet he just gave you that name freely. Who’s the handler?”

Goldfish. Your father. I wasn’t going to reveal this piece of information to him until I’d verified it. Mercutio thought his father was reformed, just hiding out somewhere. It’d kill him to know his father was back in the game. I repressed the guilt at lying to my best friend and shrugged. “The less you know the better.”

“What do you think you’re doing with her, Roman?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I kept my mask on as I walked into my black marble and stainless steel kitchen to mix up a protein shake. I would take out my frustrations on a bag once he left.

“Don’t fucking bullshit me. I’m your best friend.” Merc followed me into the kitchen and stood with his arms crossed over his chest. “You stayed with her last night, didn’t you?” He said her like she was some kind of virus. I wanted to throw him against a wall for talking about her like that. But showing any reaction would just confirm my guilt.

I didn’t answer. Mercutio was someone I promised myself I’d never outright lie to.

Merc let out a string of curses. “Did the pussy in Europe give you shit for brains? She’s the police chief’s daughter, Roman.”

I was all too aware of that.

“If your father doesn’t find out, hers will.”

Yes, I knew that too.

“You and she can never be anything. Just the idea of it?—”

I slammed my protein shaker down on the countertop, every single one of his words stinging as they found their mark. “Don’t you think I know that?” I bellowed. Mercutio was the last person I wanted a lecture from.

“Then why?—”

“I don’t fucking know. I’ve tried to get her out of my head. Believe me, I’ve fucking tried. I’ve tried to stay away from her since…”

---