Page 83 of His Juliet

“He’s… a coworker.”

Oh god, that wasn’t very convincing. Was Angelo in the Mafia? My hands fisted Romeo’s shirt. It felt impossible to even consider leaving my apartment, but I believed him when he said I was in danger. Besides, I wanted more for my life. Maybe this was the first step and I had to be brave enough to take it.

I nodded, and Romeo kept me tucked to his side as we squeezed out of the bathroom. He settled me on the bed as he made a call.

“We’ll be out in five. Have the car ready to go.” He paused for a moment and turned to me. “Do you like dogs?”

I nodded. What kind of question was that?

“That’s perfect,” he continued. Then he scowled. “None of your fucking business. See you in five.”

He hung up. “Okay, let’s get the rest of your stuff packed.”

“Why’d you ask about a dog?”

“You’ll see.”

* * *

By the timewe got to the lobby, I was having trouble breathing. Even though I was still in my safe zone, my body clearly knew I had plans to leave it and was putting up a fight. I couldn’t believe I was going somewhere new for the second time today.

After two years of being stuck, this was too much to handle.

Romeo placed the full trash bags on the floor and gathered me in his arms.

“You’re so brave.”

It wasn’t true, but it was nice of him to say it. I sank into his embrace, practically collapsing in his arms. My limbs felt like jelly and nausea churned in my stomach.

“Angelo got the car ready and is outside,” Romeo murmured. “Let me bring your things out to the car and then I’ll come back for you.”

I clenched my teeth against the whimper bubbling up in my throat at the thought of him leaving me here alone.

He eyed me with concern. “Okay, angel? I’ll be right back.”

Somehow, I moved my neck muscles enough to nod.

The moment he was out the door, my legs lost all their strength. My back pressed against the grimy lobby wall as I slowly sank down to the floor and wrapped my arms around my knees.

How had it come to this? How had I grown so pathetic that the idea of a car ride was enough to send me into a panicked spiral? I hated thathehad made me this way.

Strong arms surrounded me as Romeo lifted me off the ground, one arm under my knees and the other supporting my back.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured.

I squeezed my eyes shut as we left my apartment building. I kept them closed as he placed me in the car. There was the thud of the door closing, and his body pressed against mine as he buckled my seatbelt. It wasn’t until something cold and wet hit my hand that I cracked open an eyelid.

Romeo was beside me in the middle seat, but sitting on the floor next to him was a golden retriever who was currently nudging my hand with his nose.

“Who is this?” I asked. At the sound of my voice, the dog started wagging his tail.

“This is Noodle,” Romeo said. “And driving the car is Angelo.”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment that I hadn’t even acknowledged Angelo. “Hi,” I said nervously.

“It’s nice to see you again,” Angelo said.

Again?Then it clicked. The huge guy with the man bun and the woman in the wheelchair and service dog.

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