Page 163 of Juliet & Her Romeos

I’m relieved to see Ambrose’s lips twitch, before he glances back at me. “The important thing is that from the moment I arrived in England, I’ve been planning how to return to America and claim both Swan and you. Benedict helped me; he’s ridiculously smart. Vito’s undercover mission gave me the last piece of the puzzle. Yet the first step was to convince Mom that I’d become the model son, gaining her trust. Benedict was with me every step of the way. We did anything that was requested of us in order to perform for Mom. In many ways, we learned to dance as skillfully as you do upon a stage.”

I rush across the terrace, skirting the sculpture to stand on tiptoes and loop my arms around Ambrose’s neck.

Vito called us manipulateddolls.

Ambrose has beenplayed withas much as the rest of us have. But we’re going tobreak freetogether.

“You never forgot us.” I hug him.

“You never forgot me,” he rumbles.

I stroke his golden hair. “Laurent helped too, right?”

Ambrose’s expression warms in a specific way that it only does when his brother is mentioned. “Laurent has always been the best younger brother that I could have wished for. He created a code, which would trick Mom. Then he sent news to me about the academy, Swan, andyouhidden in his emails. Sometimes, he even managed to mail me things sewn into innocent looking birthday gifts.”

“Like a photograph of Swan and me dancing…?” I say with a smirk.

“I’m a stalker. Live with it,” Ambrose growls.

I chuckle, but then, my brow furrows. “Laurent takes a lot of risks to help the students. It’s dangerous. You haven’tseen what’s been happening, while you’ve been away. Laurent’s proud, and he admits to his pain less than you do. I bet that he hasn’t told you, but your Mom still beats him black and blue.” Ambrose winces and then growls. “She uses him like bait for investors, taking him on her arm to events and balls in flimsy, transparent clothing. You’ve rescued me. But you also need to rescue your brother.”

Guilt sheets through the bond. It’s so bitter that I choke on it.

“I’m trying.” Ambrose’s expression shutters. “Laurent insisted that I concentrate on everyone else first. That’s what he’s like. And Mom keeps him close like he’s leashed. He’s barely out of her sight. She took him to fucking Paris with her, or I could have found a way. Still, Laurent is stronger than you think. Since we were kids, Laurent and I have been plotting together on how to save everyone in the Romeo Ballet Company.”

I draw back from him in shock. “What?”

“Laurent is sharper and braver than most Alphas I know. When we were kids, he was brought into the academy more than I was. He saw enough of what was happening there to tell me. How could we live in luxury, profiting off our own pack’s misery? We’ve spent our lives waiting for the right moment to strike and save everybody.”

My pulse is racing. Excitement rushes through me.

Ambrose is not only working to save his bonded lovers but hisentirepack.

He always intended to reform the ballet academy.

“I love you, love you,love…” I throw myself back into Ambrose’s arms, and he twirls me around with none of Swan’s skill but twice his fierceness.

Above me, fireworks suddenly explode in the night sky.

“Fireworks,” I exclaim in wonder.

“What a surprise,” Ambrose deadpans in a way that tells me that it’s no surprise to him at all. “In time for the New Year. It’s midnight.”

I’m thrumming with joy.

Fucking buzzing.

I laugh, as Ambrose lifts me into a bridal carry. He turns to face out over the snowy garden.

The fireworks shoot and whirl above our heads in a dazzling array of purples, reds, and gold. I thrill at every bang, followed by glittering lights that spray out like flowers across the sky. They light up and then fade away in miniature Novas.

I remember sitting on the back porch of the ranch, when Silvanus and I were elementary aged, drinking hot chocolate and marshmallows. We felt smug and grown up, being allowed to stay up and watch the fireworks.

“Did Vito set these up?” I ask.

Ambrose nods. “He’s out there, freezing his ass off. Swan told him fireworks were your favorite part of New Year’s Eve.”

“They are.” My voice is wet with tears. This is perfect. “Apart from the New Year’s Eve kiss.”

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