Page 76 of His Juliet

The color red was so vivid against the dull gray room. Against my dull gray life. I poised the blade in my hand, wondering if I should do it. Just end it all.

A voice in the back of my mind stirred.Are you really going to kill yourself over aman, Juliet?Come the fuck on. You’re better than that.

I leaned back against the wall, razor blade dropping to the floor. The voice sounded a lot like Breanna. A slight smile twisted my lips as blood pooled underneath my legs, and finally everything went numb.

There were no feelings, no pain, no cold. I floated, the exhaustion and stress of it all pulling me under.

42

ROMEO

The Serbiansand I entered Nocturne, an exclusive sex club on the Upper West Side that belonged to the Family. The early evening hour meant it was still quiet, although there were already a number of couples by the bar and topless waitresses serving drinks around the room.

We settled in a corner booth. Vlad and Dragan were trying to hide wide, amazed eyes behind stoic expressions.

Dragan leaned in. “This is exactly the kind of place we could find clients. We could even hold the art auctions here.”

“We’ve held them in similar clubs in Europe. Of course, we would give you a cut of the profits in exchange for use of the trade routes and the space.”

My mind wandered as the two men explained to me the intricacies of black market art trafficking, and I could practically feel the weight of Matteo’s disapproval at my inattention. We didn’t need the Serbians as allies, but their art trade would be a way to bring in extra money, and it was stupid to make enemies when it wasn’t necessary. But right now, nothing mattered more than fixing the tears on my girl’s face.

I had to get to her, but I was fucking trapped here. The meeting dragged on, and with each minute, I felt Juliet slipping further away. Staying seated instead of sprinting after her was one of the hardest things I’d ever done.

A waitress came to our table—a blonde wearing an underbust corset. The Serbians leaned towards her, captivated by her curves and smile, but there was only one woman I wanted to see now.

I would lose Juliet if I didn’t explain my behavior in the bakery, but it meant telling her everything, and that might mean losing her anyway.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I fumbled as I pulled it out, hoping against all odds that Juliet was calling. My heart sank when I saw it was Sienna. The Serbians were still occupied by the blonde, so I answered in case she needed something.

“Romeo.” Her intense tone immediately put me on edge.

“What?”

“The Albanians just drove by Juliet’s apartment.”

The world stopped.

“You sure it was them?”

“I got a list of their license plates, at least the ones we’ve identified, from Franco. I don’t know who’s in the car, but it is their car.”

I got up and moved out of the booth. The Serbians looked at me with confusion.

“I must leave. Please, enjoy your evening.”

I turned away before they could respond and pushed through the growing crowd towards the door. “When did they drive past?”

“Two minutes ago. So far, they haven’t doubled back. I’m tracking them through the city now.”

“I’m on my way. Call me with any updates.” I hung up and gestured at Alessandro, who was keeping watch at the edge of the room. “I have to go,” I said hurriedly. “Watch the fucking Serbians. We need them happy, but don’t let them pull any shit.”

Alessandro frowned. “Where are you going?”

I was already halfway to the door. “Just watch them.”

He lifted his chin, and I was gone.

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