Page 46

46

ROMEO

My skin crawled as I rode the elevator to Matteo’s office, and it had nothing to do with facing his fury, which was inevitable, but everything to do with leaving Juliet. I’d tucked her under blankets on the couch with a snack and hot chocolate. She’d teased me for fussing over her and assured me she would be fine, but my fingers curled around my phone to make sure I didn’t miss it if she texted or called.

I hesitated at the office door. I didn’t like upsetting Matteo and wanted him to accept Juliet as mine.

I knocked. The faster we settled this, the sooner I could get back to my girl.

“Come in.”

Matteo was sitting behind his desk, a massive window showing the New York skyline behind him. It was snowing, and I wondered if Juliet might want to go into the private courtyard or rooftop to play in the snow. It seemed like something she would like if she felt comfortable enough to leave the apartment. Maybe I could help her create some more safe spaces.

“Romeo.”

I stopped in front of his desk. There was no chair for me to sit in.

His fingers were steepled in front of him. “You had an assignment—monitor the Serbians. You abandoned your post.”

I nodded, jaw clenched.

The Don held my gaze, his expression blank, and then he sat back in his chair with a sigh. “I understand why you did it. But it can’t go unpunished.”

My heart pounded wildly in my chest even as I kept my expression blank. “You can’t separate us or send her away.” I took a step towards him. “The Albanians know about her. She needs me, and I need her here.” I didn’t want to betray Juliet’s confidence by sharing what happened yesterday, what she had done, but I needed him to understand the severity of the situation.

Matteo scrubbed his hand down his face and swore. “When did our lives become so complicated? I’m not going to send her away.”

My shoulders sagged with relief.

“The ring. Tonight,” he said.

I had disobeyed him. He couldn’t let that slide, even for his second-in-command. I would take whatever punishment he dished out happily as long as I could keep Juliet by my side.

I nodded and turned to leave.

“And Romeo? I’d like to meet Juliet sometime soon if she’s going to be part of our family. Sofiya wants to have everyone over for dinner.”

“I’ll ask her,” I said over my shoulder, my lips curling into a smile.