His Juliet: An Age Gap Hurt Comfort Mafia Romance (Empire of Royals Book 2)

“Suitcase? Um, I don’t have one.”

“What about trash bags?”

“They’re under the sink. Why?” I stared at him, confused.

Romeo walked to the kitchenette, and I pulled on a bra and underwear before dropping my towel and reaching for my clothes.

“Why do you need a trash bag?” I asked again.

“I need something to pack your stuff in.”

I pulled on sweatpants over my stinging thighs. “Pack my stuff? Where do you think I’m going?”

Romeo turned to me, garbage bag in hand. “To my place.” He said it so simply, like it was obvious.

My palms grew sweaty and my chest tightened. “No.”

“Yes.” He came to my side and scooped all the contents of my underwear drawer in the trash bag. I swallowed the lump in my throat. I’d spent too many days as a kid throwing my stuff into garbage bags when I had to move to a new foster home.

I tried to grab the bag, but he just snagged my hand and kissed my palm.

“We have to go. There’s—” His jaw clenched and he didn’t quite meet my gaze. “You’re no longer safe here, and it’s my fucking fault. My apartment is safe, and I’ll be there to take care of you.”

My throat was so tight I could barely form words. I didn’t understand why my apartment wasn’t safe, but it didn’t change reality. “I can’t leave, Romeo.”

“Of course you can. We have to⁠—”

“No,” I said louder. “I can’t leave.”

His brow furrowed and he dropped the trash bag so he could put his hands on me. “What do you mean?”

“My agoraphobia,” I whispered.

His eyes widened. “Fuck. Fuck!” He ran his hand through his hair. “We just have to get you into the car and we’ll drive there.”

I shook my head. “I can’t.” My breaths were already growing shorter, making me feel like I was breathing through a straw. “I’ll be fine staying here. I promise I won’t hurt myself again,” I whispered. I wasn’t confident I could keep that promise, certainly not indefinitely, but I didn’t want Romeo to feel guilty.

“I need to tell you something.” He ushered me to my bed and sat me down. He stayed standing and started pacing back and forth. “I have a dangerous job.” He ran his hand through his hair, his movements aggressive.

It had been hard to imagine him at some desk job, but the confirmation that he’d lied to me sat like a rock in my stomach. “Okay? Are you a bodyguard or something?”

“No. Well, yes, sometimes. But I do more than that.” He took a deep breath. “My boss is the head of the Italian Mafia in New York.”

I eyed him carefully, waiting for him to shout just kidding! He met my gaze, and there was something vulnerable in his eyes.

“You’re not joking.”

He shook his head.

“The Mafia is a real thing?”

“Yeah, angel. It’s a real thing.”

Romeo was either delusional or a liar. Or he’s telling the truth, a tiny voice in the back of my head whispered.

I rested my head in my hands. Today had already been too much. I was past my ability to cope.

“Let’s say I believe you. Why would I come with you if you’re in the Mafia?”

He stopped pacing and faced me head-on. “Because some of our rivals are watching this apartment.”

Everything in my world slowed. “What?”

“I tried to keep my distance from you. I really, really tried. It’s why I lied to you about being out of town—because you deserve better, and I wanted to keep you safe. But it’s too late because they’ve driven by this apartment several times in the past hour.” He knelt before me and cupped my face with both hands. “I can’t let you go, Juliet. I’m sorry if that makes me a bastard.”

I tried to blink away the tears in my eyes, but they still spilled over.

“Don’t cry. Fuck, I can’t stand it.”

Romeo sat beside me and pulled me into his lap. The moment his warmth surrounded me, some of the anxiety in my chest eased.

My heart still ached from how he’d treated me in the bakery, how he’d looked at me like I was nothing. “The guys you were with?”

“Serbian Mafia. They want to form an alliance with us, but I don’t trust them for shit. I’m so sorry, baby. You were so brave for going to the bakery. You have no idea how much I wanted to celebrate with you.”

I sniffed, wiping my tears on his already damp shirt. He deserved it.

“I’m still not sure I believe you.”

“That’s okay.” He stroked his hand down my hair. “As long as you’re willing to come with me.”

“Romeo, I really don’t think⁠—”

“No, Juliet. The security here is shit. I can’t protect you, even if I move in.” His fingers dug into my hips.

“Why would you move in here?”

He gave me a stern look. “I am not leaving you alone.” He glanced down at his phone, jaw ticking. “You’re stuck with me now. I tried to stay away so you wouldn’t be brought into my world, but I’m too fucking selfish and can’t let you go.”

“I don’t get why,” I whispered. “It’s not like those guys in the bakery were wrong. Nothing about us looks like we belong together.”

Romeo let out a sound that could only be described as a growl. His fingers gripped my chin as he forced me to look at him. “They were so wrong it’s not even funny. I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you, and I never want to hear you suggest otherwise.”

The intensity in his voice startled me. He tucked my hair behind my ear before leaning in to kiss my forehead, my nose, each cheek, finishing with a gentle kiss on my lips.

When was the last time anyone had wanted me like this? Had cared this much about my safety?

“Will you trust me, sweetheart? Enough to come with me?”

I was probably being stupid. None of this made sense, but the thought of sending Romeo away… I couldn’t do it.

“Please don’t break my heart,” I whispered.

“It’s safe with me.”

He held me close, and my eyes grew heavy with exhaustion.

“They just drove by again. We need to go now. Would it help if I got medication to knock you out so you’re not awake for the ride to my place?”

I jolted, my entire body stiffening as panic shot through me. Hazy memories of him touching me, of waking up and not knowing where I was, flooded my mind. Nausea rose in me so strong and fast that I pushed out of Romeo’s arms. He clearly wasn’t expecting it and released me. I made it to the toilet just in time to vomit. There was a high-pitched ringing in my ears, and it took me a long time to realize Romeo was rubbing my back and talking to me.noveldrama

“You’re okay. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“S-sorry,” I stuttered.

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

I heard the water running, and then he was kneeling beside me, gently wiping my face with a washcloth.

“Let me get you some water.”

He was back a minute later with a glass. I stood on shaky legs, my face burning with embarrassment as I swished out my mouth and quickly brushed my teeth. It had been a long time since I’d had such an extreme trauma reaction, but I was feeling fragile today.

Romeo wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, and I leaned back into him.

“I don’t want to be drugged.”

He hugged me closer. “I’m sorry for even suggesting it. I just want to make this easier for you.”

“The bakery was the first new place I’ve gone in two years and it didn’t turn out so good.” I wasn’t trying to make him feel bad, but his expression was one of pure guilt. “The only way I was able to do it was imagining you encouraging me,” I added. I wished I could take the words back as soon as I spoke them. They were too vulnerable, left me too exposed.

What could only be described as a smug smile spread across his face. “That’s right, because even your subconscious knows I’ll protect you.”

I looked down. “I’m scared.”

“I know, but we’ll get through it together. My soldiers are posted around the building right now, and Angelo will drive us back.”

“Who is Angelo?” My brain was latching on to inconsequential details because reality was too hard to face.

“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 time we 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 that he had 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.

“You came into the bookstore,” I said.

Angelo nodded. “Didn’t know who you were when I was there, though. This is all making a lot more sense.”

Was it? It wasn’t making sense to me.

“You went to the bookstore?” Romeo asked, voice sharp.

“With Sienna and Sofiya,” Angelo said.

Romeo made a noise in the back of his throat, but at my questioning gaze, he smiled and gave me a quick kiss.

Okaaay. So Romeo knew Sofiya and Sienna? Was that why they didn’t come to the event? And why was a strange clawing sensation that felt like jealousy eating up my insides?

I didn’t want to talk about it now, though, with Angelo in the car and my heart pounding as I tried to ignore the fact that we were driving far away from my safe route.

“Is Noodle your dog, then?” I asked.

“Nah,” Angelo responded. “He belongs to Sofiya, the boss’s wife. He was already with me when I got the call, and I didn’t have time to go back to the apartment to drop him off.”

I reached over Romeo so I could pet Noodle, who leaned into my touch, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

Angelo’s words sank in. He’d said boss. Did he mean boss in the normal sense, or Mafia Boss? I still wasn’t entirely sure Romeo wasn’t messing with me… or delusional.

“What do you do?” I asked Angelo.

There was a beat of silence and then he answered. “I work at Empire Properties.”

That wasn’t the answer I expected, and I found myself slightly disappointed that it was so normal. Then I realized where I’d heard that name before.

“Oh my gosh, you guys are my landlords at the bookstore. I just got a letter that my raised rent was a mistake and it’s actually going to be lowered.” I turned to Romeo. “I didn’t have a chance to tell you.”

“Is that so?” Angelo asked.

“It must be a good company to work at,” I said. “I’ve never heard of a rental company lowering rent, but it was really nice.”

“Yeah, it’s a great company,” he responded, an edge of laughter to his voice.

My follow-up questions died in my throat as another car honked at us and I was reminded that we were on the road far away from my apartment. Romeo rubbed his hand up and down my arm, and I forced myself to focus on his touch so I wouldn’t panic. Noodle squeezed himself between us, placing his head on my lap. The weight of it helped me relax, and it wasn’t long before we pulled into an underground garage.

My heart rate picked up again. I didn’t like dark spaces.

“Do you want me to carry you?” Romeo murmured.

Yes. But I shook my head. That was too dramatic… right?

He held my hand as I got out of the car, tucking me into his side as he led me to an elevator.

Fuck.

My legs felt like they’d been encased in concrete. The elevator door gaped open, but my body was frozen.

“Juliet?” Romeo’s voice was distorted as my body shut down, having experienced way too much today.

And then I was in his arms, his firm embrace and gentle words slowly bringing me back to reality.

“You don’t like elevators, sweetheart?”

I shook my head.

“Alright. I’m on the nineteenth floor, so I would recommend the elevator, but we can walk it if you can’t.”

The way he said it was so matter-of-fact. No judgement laced his words.

“Don’t let go of me,” I whispered.

“Never.”

I pressed my face to his skin and squeezed my eyes shut as he stepped inside the elevator. Most of my childhood memories were lost in a nightmarish haze, but I would never forget the days I spent curled up alone in a dark closet as a toddler.

A soft ding and a whirring sound signaled our arrival.

“Good job, angel. We made it.”