Page 29 of His Juliet

Yes, yes, it was.

At least now I could make sure she got home safe every day.

When I got back to my car, I opened the app to ensure the cameras were streaming correctly and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw they were.

I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel and opened a new text message.

Romeo

I’m sorry I missed you this morning. Did you get to work okay?

My heart thumped loudly in my chest as I waited for Juliet’s reply. Maybe I should put cameras up in and around the bookstore. What if something happened to her on the way to work?

The seconds ticked by, pushing my heart rate higher. What if she had collapsed somewhere? Should I go after her in my car or on foot?

I threw the car door open, ready to start sprinting, when I saw the typing text bubble pop up. I collapsed against my seat in relief.

Juliet

No detours this morning

Romeo

Glad to hear it

I rested my head on the steering wheel as my heart rate returned to normal. I wanted to go to the bookstore now. Juliet probably needed lunch and I could bring it to her. But then I got a text from Matteo asking me to take Enzo and Dante to visit one of our warehouses upstate that housed our cocaine shipments. Inventory numbers weren’t matching up, and Matteo was concerned that one of our men was skimming off the top.

I used to love my position as second-in-command to the Don. My work gave me a thrill and a purpose. But lately, something else was competing for my attention.Someone. And that worried me. Matteo was my brother and the Mafia was my family. They needed to be my priorities.

I started the car. I needed to get my head in the game. Juliet would be fine, and I had work to do.

14

JULIET

I putmy head down on the large desk in the bookstore. Today had been sloooow. The weather was horrible—a blend of rain and snow coming down in a gross slush that drove every sane person to stay inside.

The bookstore was nice and cozy. Too bad no one was here to enjoy it besides me.

I picked up my phone and scrolled aimlessly through my social media accounts before heading to Google. I glanced around as I typed in my search, feeling weirdly guilty.Romeo businessman New York City.

Unsurprisingly, nothing relevant came up. Unsurprising since my mystery man hadn’t given me his real first name. Or a last name. Or a profession. It wouldn’t shock me if he worked in business or finance—he obviously had money—but my current guess was that he was an international spy on an undercover mission.

My thumb automatically navigated to our text conversation. Romeo had messaged me a few times, checking in. Work was keeping him busy, so he hadn’t been in the bookstore in a while and I missed him.

I needed to be careful not to fall for him too hard, or I would end up with a broken heart. But I didn’t have anyone else to text, and I was desperately bored, so I started typing.

Juliet

How’s your day going?

I scrunched my nose at my phone. It was such a boring text, but I didn’t have long to dwell on it because he started typing back right away.

Romeo

It’s all gray and horrible because you’re not in it

I blushed, my insides squirming at the text. Romeo was flirty with me. At least, I thought he was flirting, but maybe that’s just how he spoke to everyone.

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