Page 155 of His Juliet

“Angel?” She flinched when I reached up to run my fingers through her tangled hair. I pulled away like I’d been burned. Was she scared of me?

She grabbed my hand and pulled it close to her chest. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“Don’t apologize, stellina. Not to me. But I hope you know I would never hurt you.”

She squeezed my hand hard. “I do. I promise. I’m just…” Her voice hitched, and a tear escaped her eye.

“Fuck.” I slowly wrapped my arms around her, running my hand up and down her back. “I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”

Ever so slowly, her stiff arms clutched my waist.

Once she stopped crying, I pulled away and wiped her tears. “Let’s get in.”

I gently stripped her, kissing her scars and bruises, and helped her into the bath. I got in after her, arranging us so her back was to my chest, but she quickly squirmed and turned around so she was straddling me.

Her eyes were glassy, her lower lip trembling. “I need to see you.”

“Anything you need.”

I poured her strawberry body wash into my hands and carefully washed her. I tried to pour all my love and care into my movements. While I massaged her shoulders, she slumped forward on my chest. Her eyes fluttered shut, and I took it as the greatest victory.

I washed her hair and gently combed out all the tangles. The pink ends were almost completely faded and I hated it. She needed her vibrancy back.

Juliet was half asleep as I lifted her out of the tub, dried her off, and pulled one of my shirts over her head. I tucked her under the covers and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

She whimpered and grabbed my wrist.

“I’m just going to check over the apartment security. It will only take a couple of minutes.”

Leaving her was agony, but I couldn’t risk anyone getting inside. I flew through checking the locks on the doors and windows, arming the alarm, and coordinating with the four men stationed outside the apartment door and on the fire escape.

Once I was convinced everything was secure, I rushed back to my angel.

“Come here.” I held my arms out to her, and she clutched at me with desperate hands.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I ran my thumb across her bruised cheek. “For what?”

“For being my safe place.”

This time, I couldn’t stop my tears. “All I want in this world is for you to be safe and happy. I love you so much.”

Her lips brushed against my bare chest. “I love you, too. Forever.”

75

ROMEO

“You’re sayingthey were fuckingtriplets?”

It was rare to see Matteo shocked. After almost fifteen years as Don, not much surprised him, but secret triplets was some wild shit.

Everyone was gathered in our new living room, where an assortment of folding chairs supplemented the seating. I didn’t understand why we needed to have this meeting now when Juliet had only come home yesterday. She needed to rest while I spoiled and cuddled her all day, but instead, she sat stiffly on my lap while Matteo, Sofiya, Sienna, Angelo, and Leona sprawled around the room.

Juliet had slept through the night thanks to the drugs Aria gave her, but I had stayed wide awake. My mind wouldn’t stop reeling. Every time I closed my eyes, the image of her lifeless body haunted me.

Juliet leaned over to pet Queenie, who had claimed her perch on the back of the couch cushion. I tightened my hold on her automatically.

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