Page 96 of Star Crossed
“This is over the fight with Lipton. I know you got to forfeit, and I know it wasn’t Clay’s fight Tino was talking ’bout throwing.” Jules heart clenched in fear. “You’re in trouble.”
Romeo looked away. “I just gotta get lost for a while.”
“A while?” Jules repeated in horror. “How long?”
Romeo shrugged. “I dunno.”
“Forever?” Jules whispered the word, terrified of the answer.
The silence stretched out between them before Romeo’s shoulders slumped, and he admitted in a choked voice, “Maybe.”
Jules thought of the picture of a beautiful blonde woman on her father’s nightstand. He’d talked to that picture every night before he’d gone to sleep, desperately reaching out to his lost mate. She thought of Wyatt, who toted around a worn book that he’d reread a million times in a vain hope to reconnect with what he’d lost. Then she thought about herself and the future she’d expected before Romeo showed up.
“I’m coming with you.”
“Juliet, no.” Romeo’s raw fierceness nearly pulled Jules up short as he looked down at her with narrowed eyes, his big frame practically vibrating. “I’m not risking you.”
“Listen to me,” Jules said evenly, her brain kicking into lawyer gear as a defense mechanism. “You’ve got a concussion. You shouldn’t be driving.”
“I think it’s the lesser of two evils,” Romeo said with grim confidence. “I’ll be fine.”
“I could drive you where you need to go,” Jules went on. “There’s nothing stopping you from dropping me at the nearest airport once you get to feeling better. The responsible thing to do is to take me until you’re healed. You look like a strong wind might knock you over, and I’ve had a concussion before. You can’t tell me your thinking isn’t fogged to hell and back.”
Romeo shook his head in denial. “Juliet—”
“I’m coming,” Jules announced, this time more firmly because it occurred to her they didn’t have time to argue about it.
“No.”
Jules stepped closer to him and tilted her head back, making her eyes soft on purpose. “It’ll give us more time.”
Romeo took a shuddering breath, his gaze running over her features before it dropped to the dip in her nightgown. “I want that, but not at the risk off you getting hurt. Nothing’s worth that.”
“You can’t make me fall in love with you and then leave forever,” Jules whispered, suddenly fighting tears when she realized she was at risk of ending up like the rest of the Conners. “That’s not fair.”
“It’s not.” Romeo sighed. “But—”
“All I’m asking for is a few days.” She ran a hand over Romeo’s chest, feeling his heartbeat strong and steady through the thin material of his shirt. “Please don’t make me let go yet, Romeo. I’m not ready.”
Romeo’s chest rose and fell, the war within him noticeable before he wrapped one arm around her back, pulling her closer. He leaned down, his breath warm against her ear as he gave a huff of defeat. “I’m not ready either. Come with me.”
Jules took a shuddering breath and lifted her head, studying his face, seeing tears shining in his beautiful eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck, being careful of his ribs this time as she pressed her lips to his in a chaste kiss.
“Just gimme a few moments to gather everything,” she said after a second. “It won’t take long.”
Jules turned and rushed up the stairs, already making a mental list of all the things she needed. She went for the essentials and filled her carry-on efficiently. Then she changed her clothes and headed for the gun safe. She had a handgun in her nightstand, but she wanted her new Colt Commander. Once she had it open, she eyed the rest of their extensive collection. She considered grabbing the mini fourteen assault rifle she’d given Wyatt, but she didn’t have the heart. She grabbed an older model shotgun, and one of Wyatt’s favorite handguns, knowing it’d fit Romeo’s big grip.
Then she packed them carefully, feeling Romeo’s eyes on her when he showed up at the doorway to her bedroom. “How many guns do you own?”
Jules lifted her head, unable to help the guilty smirk. “A few.”
“And you know how to use them?”
“Would I carry them if I didn’t?” Jules asked as if it were obvious. “Doyouknow how to use a gun?”
“I go to the range with Tino and Nova all the time.”
“Good deal.” Jules nodded in appreciation, glad they weren’t going to have to go through gun safety 101. “One less thing on my to-do list.
