Page 154 of Juliet & Her Romeos

They suit him.

Next to him, Vito is wearing a scarlet sweater over leather pants.

The noise of the cars is loud, as they swerve around the imaginary racetrack, cheered by fictional crowds.

The two men’s gazes are intently fixed on the racing car game that they’re playing. They’re swerving and jostling each other as they play like they’re truly driving the cars.

Swan’s never played on a computer before. As Betas in the academy, you don’t play, you work.

I haven’t seen Swan this playful with anyone but me.

My eyes widen.

Play.

This is what Ambrose meant in his note.

Ambrose and Vito must have thought this out together. It wouldn’t surprise me if they have a list of experiences that they’re trying to give to Vito and me, as if they can make up for everything that we’ve missed out on.

I need to speak to Ambrose.

I don’t understand the guilt that’s tearing him apart. I can sense his agony through the bond.

I don’t need him to try and make up for everything. I simply needhim.

Whatever his burden is, I want to share it with him.

“Would you look at that, Little Snake.” Swan smirks. “I’m about to beat your McLaren ass again.”

“How are you so good?” Vito tries to take a corner so fast in a last ditch attempt to overtake Swan that he spins off the track completely. “Fuck, I’m out. You’re a noob. You’ve never even picked up a controller but you’re playing that thing like my sweet honey plays the piano.”

It’s true.

I watch the fluid, artful way that Swan’s fingers dance over the controls.

“I’m a natural.” Swan races over the finish line, dropping the control and jumping to his feet to twirl into a bow. “A natural winner.”

“It’s co-ordination,” I explain from the doorway. “We’re taught about that, along with timing.”

“Don’t give away my secrets.” But Swan’s grinning as he stalks to the doorway and grabs my hand. He pulls me into the lounge. “You were sleeping too happily for me to wake. When did you do that, before we came to Romeo Hall? It’s better than pancakes to finally see you sleeping. They’ve got all these amazing games here. It’s incredible, JuJu. It feels like you’re really there. It’s like magic.”

“Morning.” Vito sprawls back, leaning on his hands. “Honey is being meanly hoarded by Ambrose. Something about important things to discuss together in the studyblah blah. But you’re just in time to see our Beta beating my ass again.”

“I should have guessed that you loved racing games.” I settle on the floor next to Vito, as Swan slouches on the couch behind us.

Vito looks affronted. “This is Ambrose’s game. He’s obsessed with cars, in real life too. In fact, obsessed with all competitive, deadly shit. I’ve never beaten him in any game. It looks like I won’t defeat our Beta either. How about you give me a game?”

I cross my arms, trying not to smile. “Oh, I get it. The Omega walks in, and you think that you’ve scented easy prey?”

“You show him the true strength of Omegas, my Queen.” Swan pushes himself up from the sofa, before prowling to the other side of Vito and sitting behind him with his arms around his waist.

Seated like that, it’s as if Swan’s holding Vito asour prey.

My core throbs at that idea, and it’s impossible to miss in his tight trousers, how much it’s turning Vito on as well.

I snatch up the controller. “Omega vs Alpha. Let’s play.”

Vito nods, before quietly running through what the different buttons do for me.

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