Chapter 12
TWELVE
ROME
Flashback
I’ve spent years working out a way to leave the family business behind. I knew the day was coming when I would turn eighteen and officially become one of them, as if it wasn’t in my birthright from the moment I was born.
My mother’s silence over the years hasn’t helped.
When my father insists I go out with him for what he calls ‘on the job training’, she doesn’t bother trying to stop him.
Though that’s understandable, considering what the family business entails.
But I also wonder how much my father must love my mother for him to continue what he’s doing, knowing she’s at home waiting for him.
Because now that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m in love with Julianna Capuleti, I can’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather be than with her.
It’s been nearly twenty-four hours since I snuck into the bathroom at Sola’s party and kissed her.
The memory of it lingers like a ghost on my mouth.
I’m thirsty, no hungry, for more. She’s all I think about.
Even when my father brought me along to interrogate one of his clients.
A client who turned out to be an informant for the FBI, ready to turn over evidence that would put him and my father’s men in prison for life.
I watched as he carved the tip of his tongue off with our family blade before forcing the man to eat it as if it were a piece of steak.
If loving Julianna wasn’t already a reason to leave this life behind the moment the opportunity arises, that would have been it. It took everything in me not to vomit. If there’s anything worse than disobeying an order from Dominico Montgomery, it’s looking weak in front of him.
After leaving the men to deal with the informant, my father drove me home, describing how he hopes that one day I’ll be able to handle a situation such as that with as much tenacity as he did. I kept my mouth shut, too focused on the waiting message from Julianna on my phone.
The address to her second house outside of the city.
Once I knew it was safe, I snuck out of the house and turned off the tracking on my phone.
Once I reach Kingsten Capuleti’s second home, I search the grounds for the spot Julianna told me to go through, which is a security fence surrounding the expansive mansion that stretches for what seems like miles, but it’s difficult when it’s pitch-black outside.
I scale the fence and raise the hood of my sweatshirt before racing through the backyard and toward the vine-covered balcony as quietly as possible.
My heart races a million times a minute. This place is probably littered with security guards and cameras—my family’s house is the same—but Julianna assured me if I took this path, I wouldn’t be seen. I guess she’s spent time figuring out the weaknesses in her own family’s security system.
Of course she has.
I sneak past the expansive stone pool, remaining hidden in the shadows.
The large European style mansion is covered in thick vines, the smooth stone peeking out beneath.
Stopping behind the pool house, I peek around the corner and find the balcony Julianna was talking about.
It’s the only one, so it must be hers. Beyond the rail of the balcony is a set of open double doors.
A small light glows from behind the flowing white curtains. I grin, stepping out slowly.
Passing the pool, I see that, to my left, is a row of rose bushes covered in thick burlap.
A cloud of white floats into the air from my heavy breaths.
Poking out from under the burlap is one single rose.
I pluck it from the bush, surprised it’s survived this far into winter.
I carry it with me across the grounds. A vine-covered trellis scales one of the walls beside the column beneath Julianna’s balcony.
I grip onto it and climb my way to the top, bringing the rose with me.
The dry vines and branches scratch my skin, digging into my palms every time I pull myself up.
I grit through the pain, knowing Julianna is worth it.
I keep my hold on the rail of the balcony when I reach the top.
“Lark,” I whisper, hesitating before fully committing to climbing over the threshold.
“I’m here.” Appearing from behind the curtain, Julianna steps out onto the balcony.
I nearly faint at the sight of her. She’s fucking beautiful, like a bright white light emerging from the shadows.
She’s wearing a pair of tiny white shorts covered in little flowers. Her matching tank rests just above the hem of her shorts, and the thin straps reveal those freckled shoulders that make me weak in the knees.
I climb over the railing and adjust myself before joining her on the balcony, chewing on the inside of my cheek, blown away by her beauty. Her brown hair is piled high on her head, with tendrils framing her soft, gorgeous face. She grins as my gaze drifts along her legs.
“It’s fucking freezing out here, Lark,” I whisper, anxiously darting my eyes to her bedroom. I’m terrified we’ll get caught.
If anyone were to find us here, I’m certain I would meet my death. But what would happen to Julianna?
“Oh.” She weaves her hands in front of her, looking down at her feet. “The tile is heated.”
I stare at her bare feet. “Seriously?”
“Yeah,” she giggles lightly. “I’m okay.”
The sound propels me. I close the space between us, unable to hold back any longer.
I crash my mouth to hers, breathing her in.
She sinks her warm body against mine. Her hands press to my chest before sliding along my shoulders and under my jaw.
The tips of her fingers weave into my hair.
A groan rumbles from my chest when she slips her tongue inside my mouth.
I jerk my hips forward, wishing we weren’t standing.
It’s impossible to satiate the hunger inside me when we’re standing like this.
After walking her backward until her back lands against the stone wall, I press my hips to hers, sending her the message loud and clear.
A message to tell her exactly what kind of reaction she draws out of me.
My dick is hard as stone, pressing at the sweet spot between her thighs.
She moans a sound that shoots straight through me.
My mouth breaks from hers, and I hold the rose up between us. “This is for you.”
She eyes the flower, her beautiful mouth spreading into a grin. “Is this one of mine?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry if I shouldn’t have picked it, but I had to.”
“It’s the middle of winter. I thought they were all dead.”
“Not this one.”
“My mom planted those a few weeks before she died.”
My heart drops into my stomach, remembering when I heard about Julianna’s mother’s death.
She was murdered in cold blood by two strangers while waiting for the subway with Julianna and Holt.
I only heard about it from my father, who delighted in her murder.
He couldn’t help laughing, thinking of the pain he knew it would cause Kingsten.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, uncertain what I’m apologizing for exactly. Picking the flower, or my father’s reaction to her death, even though Julianna doesn’t know that part.
“Don’t be.” She shakes her head and holds the rose to her chest. “I love it.”
I give her a tiny smile before kissing her again.
“Thank you,” she mumbles against my mouth.
The sadness of our conversation disappears. I keep kissing her as my finger hooks under one of her tank straps. I pull it down, revealing her bare shoulder. “Is this what you sleep in?”
Goosebumps rise along her skin from my touch.
“Yes,” she whispers, her breathing heavy. “Do you not like it?”
I pause, searching her face. We haven’t tossed any insults at one another. It’s a strange sensation but one I hadn’t noticed until now. Could we finally be breaking the habits instilled in us since birth? Has my love for her broken the bonds of hatred?
“I love everything you wear,” I tell her.
She starts giggling, covering her face with her hands.
“What?” I ask, chuckling.
She lowers her hands and looks at me with disbelief shining in her eyes. “I’m still getting used to this.”
“Used to what?”
“You talking about me as if you’re in love with me.”
“I am.”
Her smiles fades, then it disappears completely.
But I’m fucking serious. I’ve never meant anything as much as I do now.
“It’s crazy, I know. I planned on telling you tonight, anyway, but I guess I’ll just say it now.”
“What?” she whispers, her cheeks bright red.
“I’m in love with you, Julianna Capuleti.”
“Oh, my God,” she whispers, her bright eyes widening.
“Fuck.” I sigh, a bit of worry creeping in. I’m terrified I’ve pushed her away, but then I think what’s the worst that can happen at this point? She’ll hate me forever? Been there, done that.
“I’m so fucking in love with you,” I continue, not backing down as I drag my thumb across her bottom lip.
“This is all happening so fast.” Her eyes drop to where her hands are pressed to my chest.
“Is it though?” I tilt my mouth into a grin I can’t hold back. “We’ve known each other our whole lives.”
“True.” She presses her lips together. Her breathing has quickened, thoughts clearly racing through her mind.
“Hey.” I hook my fingers under her chin, pulling her gaze up to mine. “Do you not love me?”
I’m terrified of her answer. This whole affair could be one sided. I could have made this all up, made it more serious than it really us. But then my mind goes back to our emails, our letters, Sola’s bathroom.
Loving Julianna is a risk, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take because I’ve never felt this connected to someone. Someone who sees me for me instead of the name attached to me.
“I’ve never felt like this with anyone before,” she finally says.
“My mother used to tell me love made you crazy. I thought she was wrong then, considering how crazy you made me feel. But I think I’ve realized she was right.
Both hating you and loving you has made me crazy.
” She runs her gentle fingers along my cheek before sinking them into my hair.
“And I’m crazy in love with you, Rome Montgomery. ”
“Fuck, Lark.” I sigh with relief, dropping my forehead to hers. Our heated breaths quicken as the truth sets in. Julianna and I love each other.
“Fuck, I love you,” I tell her.
“What are we going to do now? How is this going to work?”
“I don’t know.” I shake my head, unable to stop laughing with the happiness coursing through me. “We’ll figure it out. We’ll figure out a way to be together.”
“Okay.” She nods, agreeing, with hope in her eyes. I can tell she believes me, that we can make this work.
“I want you, Rome. Kiss me. Touch me.” She grabs my hand and dips it into the front of her shorts, pausing just above the space between her legs.
“Are you sure?” Fuck, I want to touch her, but only if that’s what she truly wants. I’ve imagined this moment ever since I saw her staring back at me in the library.
“Yes.” She breathes in, sinking my fingers between her thighs. She’s fucking soaked. “I want you to feel what you do to me. To know the effect you have on me.”
“Oh, shit.” I kiss her, allowing her hand to guide me as I sink two fingers inside her, forcing her to release a satisfied moan. “You feel amazing, Lark.”
“Please, Rome.” She grips the back of my head as I work my fingers inside her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I pull her mouth to mine and kiss her, stifling her moans.
“Julianna?” a voice that belongs to neither of us calls out.
“Oh, shit.” She presses her hands to my chest and pushes me away before she turns to her left. She’s panting, pressing her fingers to her mouth.
I glare at her open door, waiting to hear Kingsten Capuleti’s voice shout his daughter’s name again.
“Julianna?” his voice booms again, growing closer.
“Fuck, he’s coming up here.” Julianna turns back to me, filled with panic. “You need to leave. Now.”
“But, Lark…”
“Please, Rome,” she begs, grabbing my hands and forcing me backward toward the balcony railing. “I don’t want him to see you. If he does, he’ll have reason to go after your family. Go.”
“Okay,” I agree, finally snapping out of the trance I’ve been caught in.
Kingsten calls out for Julianna again, followed by a knock on her bedroom door. She snaps her head over her shoulder before turning back to me.
“Go, Rome,” she hisses.
I nod and scramble to climb back over the railing. I’m on the other side but stop to grab onto her hand and pull her down, crashing her mouth to mine. I savor our kiss before pulling back.
Resting my forehead against hers, I whisper, “We’ll find a way to be together, Lark. I promise.”
I plant one last gentle kiss to her forehead.
She smiles, backing away. “I love you, Rome Montgomery.”
“I love you, Julianna Capuleti.”
I climb down the balcony just as I hear her bedroom door open, then I sneak out of her yard and drive home, knowing I’ve never been this deliriously happy in my life.