Page 214 of Juliet & Her Romeos

They may only be playing nice becausethe enemy of my enemy is my friend, as Silvanus explained it to me.

But it makes a wound in my heart heal to see it.

I’m both a Cinders and a Romeo, and finally, I feel that’s okay.

I don’t need to deny either side of myself.

Ambrose’s gaze is piercing, when he turns to the shadows and waves someone else over to join us.

I nuzzle against Benedict because this new Alpha looks fucking fierce.

He’s tall with ebony skin and startlingly ice-blue eyes. He’s in his thirties with a severe expression. His black hair is cutmilitary short, but he’s dressed in an expensive designer suit and coat.

“This is Sheriff Dante Marshal,” Ambrose says. “He’s been doing good work in a unit that rescues Omegas from abusive packs and then protects them.”

“All dynamics, in fact. I’m fostering an Alpha right now, Richard. He thinks that it’s a punishment but truly, it’s a rescue,” Dante replies in a deep, cool English voice. “Some Alphas simply need to be shown how to become better people without the brutality of somewhere like the Alpha Center breaking them. Especially the young ones who’ve been mistreated themselves or were raised in toxic environments.”

“Like Dimitri.” Ambrose turns to Swan and me. “I’ve asked Dante to foster Dimitri for the next year, but only if you’re okay with that. If I exile or fire him, then he won’t survive. He’s institutionalized by this place, his mom, and his cruel contract. I want to offer him the chance to find out who he is outside it, while making sure that he’s somewhere safe where he won’t hurt anyone else.”

Swan and I exchange a glance.

Dimitri has always felt like he’s had the power.

He’s tormented Swan.

But he’s also been secretly in love with him.A twisted, possessive love.

Possibly, because he’s been isolated and alone. He’s been an unloved Alpha, despised by his mom because he reminded her of his dad.

He’s only our age, and now that I know he was sold the same as Swan was, it’d make me sick to imagine him abandoned or sent to the Alpha Center.

I nod my permission.

“Dimitri is a knothead.” Swan pushes his wet hair out of his eyes. “But he’s afucked up by his mom and seriously confusedby what love meansknothead. A year being fostered by this Sheriff seems fair. But good luck turning that asshole into a better anything.”

“We have our ways.” A Beta, who is younger than Dante, prowls down the path toward us. He’s holding his phone in his hands. The new Beta is wearing a Rat Pack style suit and hat. His black curls tumble around his face, and his large silver eyes are breathtaking. “I’m the deputy. My name’s Joseph. Joey to my friends.”

Vito studies him warily like he’s trying to remember if he knows him. “You’re not mafia, right?”

Joseph freezes, then he winks. “It’s the hat. Alphas love the hat. Or are you one of those mob fanboys who…?”

“Joey,” Dante growls, “hold your pretty tongue.”

“Yeah, yeah,shut up, Joey. I know.” Joey salutes with a swagger. “You’re the Sheriff.”

Swan grins. “I can see that we’re going to be best friends.”

Dante sighs. “Lord save us from brats, or at least, our spanking hands will.”

Vito grabs Swan by the arm and swings him against his side, as if to protect Swan’s ass.

Ambrose arches his brow. “Did you get the authority?”

Joseph waggles his phone. “It’s come through now. Luckily, the new Mayor of Haven is not only hot but a good Alpha. He convinced Sanctum’s Mayor to pass this case to our unit.”

“Good.” Dante’s voice softens. “Are you entirely certain about this? Once we start, there’s no changing your mind. Are you prepared for what this will mean?”

Vito rests his hand on Ambrose’s shoulder.

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