Page 152 of His Juliet

She was right, but I couldn’t shake my guilt for leaving Juliet alone in that room.

For giving up on her so fast.

I gently pet Queenie, who absolutely refused to be parted from Juliet. She was curled up on her lap. I had a strange gratitude towards the cat for being with my girl when she was alone.

We finally pulled onto the tarmac of the private section of the Tirana Airport. Matteo and Leona got out of the van first, and the rest of our men fanned out to cover us.

“Do you need help with her?” Matteo asked.

I shook my head but did allow Leona to carry Queenie.

I held Juliet close to my chest so she wasn’t jostled as I strode up the stairs to the plane, heading straight to the bedroom at the back. Aria was already there, her medical kit set up on the side table. She threw a concerned look at Juliet and gestured at the bed. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I could get away with keeping Juliet on my lap. But she needed to be thoroughly checked, so I reluctantly laid her on the mattress.

“Romeo?” Juliet’s voice was hoarse, and I grabbed a bottle of water.

I propped her up with my arm around her back. “Here, angel. Drink this.”

She took a few sips before pushing it away. “Where are we?”

“Private plane. We’re headed back home.” My voice cracked and I gathered her up in my arms again. “I’m so sorry, Juliet. So fucking sorry.”

“Did—” She paused and her gorgeous green eyes met mine, slightly unfocused and glassy. “Did you give me to the Butcher?”

Her whispered question sent ice through my veins.

“That’s what he said—that you knew about my connection to the Albanians and were using me.”

A slow, sinking horror filled me like heavy stones. In the horrifying chaos, I’d forgotten the Butcher’s words. “No.No. I never… Fuck, did you believe him, sweetheart? I would never betray you. I love you, angel.” Tears dripped down my face, but I didn’t care.

She let out a deep breath and relaxed against me. “No, I didn’t believe him.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Are you sure? I swear, I would never work with?—”

“I know. I’m sorry I asked. I just needed to hear you say it.” She ran her fingers through my hair and I shuddered. I missed that. I’d missed all of her.

“It was agony without you,” I murmured. “Do you understand how much I love you? I can’t live in a world without my Juliet.”

“My Romeo. I love you, too.”

Her eyelids fluttered closed and I lightly shook her. “Stay awake for me, angel.” Panic entered my voice again, and I looked to where Aria was standing off to the side in an attempt to give us privacy.

She rushed over. “Juliet, can you hear me?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m Dr. Aria Amato. Is it alright if I check you over?”

Juliet nodded, her eyes still closed. I took her hand between both of mine, hating how they felt like icicles. She was still in her horrible wedding outfit. Why hadn’t I thought to bring clothes for her? She would just have to wear mine until we got back.

Aria started by drawing blood, letting us know she was going to get it tested to see what poison Juliet had been given.

“Your vitals are stable, but your blood sugar is low, your blood pressure is low, and you’re dehydrated. You’ll need lots of rest and care for a couple of weeks.”

“She’ll get it,” I said fiercely.

Juliet’s eyes were still closed, but she managed to pat my leg, a small smile pulling at her lips. “You’re going to be super overprotective, aren’t you?”

I brushed my lips against her forehead. “You know it.”

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