Page 128 of Dark Romeo

I remember my father once telling me that my mother was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. She was beautiful. But as far as I was concerned, all women had something beautiful about them. How you could pick out one above all the others, I couldn’t understand.

Until now.

There was something about Julianna. She just seemed to glow, as if the light inside of her was so strong, so pure, it lit up her skin. I found myself mesmerized by her dainty fingers, the soft curve of her lower back, the hollow at her neck. If God was an artist then she was his masterpiece. The slightly crooked tooth, that tiny freckle on her chest, it was all perfection.

I loved the teasing, sweet scent of her freshly washed hair, the way her skin gave way under my fingers, the way she threw back her head when she laughed…they were layer upon layer of melodies, all singing to me. She was my siren. My lighthouse.

She cuddled into the crook of my arm as if she accepted my protection. As if she needed it.

Mine to protect. This whisper grew and grew inside me until it rang in my soul like a bell and my chest swelled with purpose.

And yet, a sour knot sat in my gut, a bitter seed taken root. Would she still want my protection if she knew what I’d done? Would she still look at me the same? Could she love a murderer?

I almost laughed at myself. Stupid boy. Of course she wouldn’t. I was a monster hiding under a façade of a man misunderstood. She had fallen for it.

I didn’t deserve her. But I was a selfish, selfish man. I would keep her. Hold her tight. For as long as I could. Until the day she figured it out and she ended me.

JULIANNA

____________

When I woke up Roman was gone. As if he was never here. As if last night was just a dream, a glorious, wonderful dream broken by the harsh morning light filtering through the edge of my curtains.

But a dull, empty ache lay between my legs, my nipples tender from his teeth, my ass from his palms. I rolled over to his side and pressed my nose into his pillow. Cedar cologne and man. If I could bottle up that combination, I’d make millions. Memories of last night flashed through my mind, making my body ache all over again.

My stomach gave an uneasy flutter. Why did he disappear this morning without saying goodbye? Did he regret last night? Did he realize it was stupid for us to risk a relationship?

Something crinkled as I moved. It was a small note on white paper crushed under my arm.

Tonight. Make sure no one follows you.

Underneath was an address. Roman had told me about his mother’s secret apartment. This must be it.

Tonight. I’d see him again tonight. Butterflies took off in my stomach. I had to bite my lip to stop from laughing. Roman and I. We were really doing this.

* * *

Something had been bothering me since my kidnapping attempt two nights ago—had it only been two nights ago? At work, when Espo had gone out for lunch, I opened our arrests database. From Roman’s reaction to the name Goldfish, I suspected that it would be someone who had a reputation in the Verona underworld, likely someone who had a record. I typed in “Goldfish” and hit search.

I sat back in my chair as I waited for the results, glancing around me at the few officers who were at their desks, nodding at one of them who caught my eye. All of this, my job, my reputation, my career, I was risking being with Roman Tyrell. If we were ever caught…

I imagined the worst, trying to bathe myself in these stupid risks I was taking, a part of me hoping that these realities would snap me out of the insane decision I had made last night. That I would continue to risk if I went to him tonight.

Somehow, all these consequences just lapped around me like inconsequential waves. My deep longing for Roman, which began at the very sight of him, had in these last few weeks grown into something…greater. Like a mountain risen out of the sea. I was tied to him like he was to me.

And where could this relationship possibly ever go, Julianna? spoke a bitter voice inside me. Do you think you’ll marry Roman and have his children? Will both your families be present at your wedding?

I shoved these thoughts away as my search results came up. I had no answers. A single entry was headed, Tito “Goldfish” Brevio.

Brevio? I frowned as I clicked it to open the file.

There was an arrest photo of a man in his mid-fifties, softening skin around his mouth, a few dark freckles on his cheeks. He had an almost bored look as he stared at the camera, his head slightly tilted.

My blood drained as I read the details of his file. This is why the name sounded so familiar. Goldfish was Mercutio’s father.

Before he went into hiding, he worked for the Tyrells.

JULIANNA

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