Page 74

74

ROMEO

By the time we pulled into the garage, Juliet was much more awake and alert. I wasn’t sure that was a good thing when she clutched my arms, her nails digging into my skin.

I gripped her neck, giving it a light squeeze. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t, I can’t—” Her breaths turned rapid.

Shit. Panic attack.

The second we parked, I unbuckled both of us and pulled her into my lap. “I’ve got you. Just listen to my voice and take nice, slow breaths.”

She curled up against my chest, and I slowly inhaled and exhaled in an attempt to guide her.

“I don’t like the darkness. I feel trapped,” she gasped.

The image of her tied to that chair, locked in that cell, flashed in my mind. Our underground garage had lights, but the windowless space certainly wasn’t welcoming.

“Just hold on to me and close your eyes, angel. I’ll take care of you.”

She shook her head. “No, no. I can’t go back into that apartment. I just can’t.”

Realization dawned on me. I hadn’t told her about the change.

“We’re not going back there, baby.” I wanted to burn the whole building, knowing what Juliet had suffered there. Since the other residents might not approve of arson, I’d asked Sienna and Sofiya to prepare one of the empty units for us. Juliet didn’t need to be reminded of bad memories in a place that was supposed to be safe.

“We have a new apartment. Once you’re feeling better, you can buy whatever furniture or decorations you want for it. Is that okay?”

She gave me a shaky nod, her hand curled around Queenie’s sleeping form.

“My brave girl.” I kissed her forehead, my lips lingering on her skin.

Matteo opened the car door, and Juliet wrapped her arms and legs around me. We entered the elevator surrounded by Matteo, Leona, Angelo, and Dante—a wall of protection for my girl. I kept up a babbling stream of nonsense about the new apartment to distract Juliet until the elevator door dinged.

Our new front door was already programmed with my fingerprint. I nodded at my friends in gratitude before bringing Juliet inside.

The apartment was a little smaller than my old one, but this one had a balcony overlooking Central Park that I hoped Juliet might enjoy.

“I know it’s sparse right now.” The living room featured a couch and TV, and our bedroom was empty except for the bed. “We can hire someone to design the whole place if that’s easier, but I thought you might like to have some input. We can turn one of the rooms into a library for you. Sienna already made plans for the bookcases.”

The words spilled from my lips, driven by my anxiety. Now that Juliet was conscious, I was scared shitless that she would tell me all of this was too much, that our relationship was too much. I had put her in danger. I had failed to protect her. I wouldn’t even blame her if she wanted to leave this building entirely…leave me .

Except I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t let her go, so I would just have to earn back her trust.

Her love.

Fuck, what if she could never love me again?

I had to accept that as a possibility. The only thing that mattered in the world was keeping her safe and happy.

“A library would be nice,” she murmured.

I let out a shuddering breath. Thank fuck. Maybe I’d done something right.

“I really need a shower,” she said.

She needed a lot of things. Every time she’d woken up on the flight, I’d tried to get her to eat as much as possible. The poison had made her nauseous, but she managed to keep a protein drink down.

“How about a bath instead?” I asked as I headed into the bathroom. I doubted she had the strength to stay upright in the shower.

She nodded, and I gently set her down on the vanity. “I’ll put Queenie on our bed, okay? Leona is going to drop off the cat stuff we need.”

Juliet reluctantly released the kitten. I got her settled in our bedroom and rushed back to the bathroom. My hands were busy getting the bath ready, but my eyes were glued to Juliet, just in case she passed out. She was so quiet, so pale. It terrified me.

“Angel?” She flinched when I reached up to run my fingers through her tangled hair. I pulled away like I’d been burned. Was she scared of me?

She grabbed my hand and pulled it close to her chest. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“Don’t apologize, stellina. Not to me. But I hope you know I would never hurt you.”

She squeezed my hand hard. “I do. I promise. I’m just…” Her voice hitched, and a tear escaped her eye.

“Fuck.” I slowly wrapped my arms around her, running my hand up and down her back. “I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”

Ever so slowly, her stiff arms clutched my waist.

Once she stopped crying, I pulled away and wiped her tears. “Let’s get in.”

I gently stripped her, kissing her scars and bruises, and helped her into the bath. I got in after her, arranging us so her back was to my chest, but she quickly squirmed and turned around so she was straddling me.

Her eyes were glassy, her lower lip trembling. “I need to see you.”

“Anything you need.”

I poured her strawberry body wash into my hands and carefully washed her. I tried to pour all my love and care into my movements. While I massaged her shoulders, she slumped forward on my chest. Her eyes fluttered shut, and I took it as the greatest victory.

I washed her hair and gently combed out all the tangles. The pink ends were almost completely faded and I hated it. She needed her vibrancy back.

Juliet was half asleep as I lifted her out of the tub, dried her off, and pulled one of my shirts over her head. I tucked her under the covers and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

She whimpered and grabbed my wrist.

“I’m just going to check over the apartment security. It will only take a couple of minutes.”

Leaving her was agony, but I couldn’t risk anyone getting inside. I flew through checking the locks on the doors and windows, arming the alarm, and coordinating with the four men stationed outside the apartment door and on the fire escape.

Once I was convinced everything was secure, I rushed back to my angel.

“Come here.” I held my arms out to her, and she clutched at me with desperate hands.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I ran my thumb across her bruised cheek. “For what?”

“For being my safe place.”

This time, I couldn’t stop my tears. “All I want in this world is for you to be safe and happy. I love you so much.”

Her lips brushed against my bare chest. “I love you, too. Forever.”