Page 19 of His Juliet

He helped me into my jacket, his hands running down my arms.

I raised an eyebrow. “Quite a gentleman.”

“Always.” He held the door open with a flourish.

The second I locked it, Romeo slung his arm around my shoulder, tucking me into his side as we started walking. I usually had to fortify myself before stepping out onto the street, but I felt instantly more relaxed with him beside me.

I had always been this way—anxious in public—even before the agoraphobia was as bad as it was now. I would only explore the city with my friends at my side, and they had never teased me for it. When we started community college classes, they made sure their schedules matched mine, so there was always at least one person who could walk with me to class and back home.

I’d forgotten how nice it was to not have to go it alone.

Romeo arranged me so he was closest to the street, holding me tighter anytime someone passed us. I’d often dreamed of finding an apartment even closer to the bookstore, but today, I wished there was a way to stretch out the seven blocks.

10

ROMEO

Fuck no.

Absolutely the fucknot.

No way in fucking hell was Juliet livinghere.

Her apartment building was a massive dirty rectangle, and it only took a glance to know the three guys loitering by the front door were dealing.

I tightened my hold on her. What were the odds she would notice if we just kept walking until we got to a good enough apartment? I would buy it for her, whatever building in the city she wanted. Or I could take her home with me.

The vision of her tucked in my bed danced before my eyes, strangely tantalizing. Matteo’s text had said we’d gotten urgent intel. I should have been home ten minutes ago, but now I couldn’t shake the thought of bringing Juliet with me. She could sit all cute on my lap, like Sofiya often did with Matteo.

“Romeo? Is everything okay?”

I looked down at Juliet’s confused expression.

“What?” My voice came out too harsh and she bit her lip. I took a deep breath and softened my tone. “Is this building safe?”

“Oh. I’ve lived here for a couple of years and haven’t had any issues. I mostly just keep to myself.”

I didn’t move, my mind whirring as I tried to figure out what to do.

Juliet poked my side. “I thought you were in a rush.”

“I am.” But I still didn’t let her go. Why was this so hard? I’d never felt like this about anyone, and the intensity of it made me uncomfortable.

My phone vibrated again and I sighed. “I need you to stay safe, stellina. I mean it.”

She smiled. “I will.”

I walked her past the three guys on the stoop, and she unlocked the door to the lobby. My phone vibrated again and I clenched my jaw. I wanted to walk her to her apartment, but I needed to go. Besides, if I didn’t leave now, I would throw her over my shoulder and run out of here.

“I’ll talk to you soon,” I said, pulling her into my arms for one last hug. “Have a good night, angel.”

Her cheeks turned pink as she looked up at me. “You too. Stay safe with whatever you’re doing.”

My mouth tugged into a smile. “You got it.”

I watched as she headed through the dingy lobby and up the stairs. Once she was out of sight, I rounded on the dealers on the front stairs.

“Do you know who I am?”

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