Page 52 of Juliet & Her Romeos

All of a sudden, Vito’s face creases with concern.

He scrambles on his knees closer to Swan, who curls his arms tighter around me. “Hey, your arm’s bleeding. Are you okay? May I see?”

Swan scrabbles to sit up, pulling away. “It’s nothing.”

For the first time, I notice the jagged rock, which Swan must have landed on and been driven onto, when he caught me.

Alarmed, I turn to Swan. “Show me.”

Swan glances between us. “Gang up on the Beta, why don’t you?”

I blush, but Vito’s expression is amused.

“Tough life, huh? My Omega sister, Candy, has me trained in the same way. I don’t dare hide a paper-cut from her anymore. I wish that I could say that having people around who are protective has stopped me from doing reckless things like…climbing on statues…but that’d be a lie. Dancing, partying, causing a fucking riot. It makes you feel alive, right?”

I stare at Vito.

Since when do Alphas speak to Omegas and Betas like this? As if we’re equals?

He should be barking orders at us or treating us like servants.

Swan exchanges a confused glance with me.

We’re both thinking the same thing.Who the hell is this Alpha?

“Why are you visiting the academy?” Swan demands.

I can hear the strain in his voice.

Heisin pain but is hiding it.

I want to kick Swan’s ass, however, because no matter how kind Vito appears to be, that’s no way to talk to any Alpha, let alone a guest.

Vito doesn’t appear bothered, merely unzipping his biker jacket. “I’m delivering Christmas treats to some local sheltersand clubs for poor Omegas. I figured why not drop some here too?”

My chest tightens. “We won’t be allowed them.”

Vito’s gaze sharpens. “Why’s that?”

“We’re never allowed anything at Christmas.”

I don’t tell him that Swan ensures that we all get something anyway.

“Hmm.” Vito scans Swan. “How’s the arm holding up?”

“It doesn’t hurt,” Swan replies, defiantly.

“I’ve heard that before.” Vito’s expression darkens. “I’ve spent most of my life saying it in order to stop my sister worrying. So, I guess that means your arm hurts like a bitch, right?”

A look of understanding passes between Swan and Vito.

Then to my surprise, Swan slips off his coat and extends his arm to Vito, as soft as a kitten.

“Who are you and what have you done with Swan?” I blurt.

Vito looks smug. “Here, Jules, those shit coats are paper thin.”

Jules.

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