Page 100 of From Rome, With Hate

Julianna winces, revealing her perfectly straight teeth. She scrunches her nose, then shrugs as Rome grabs her hand, weaving his fingers with hers.

“More like ten years, not two months.”

“You’ve been dating Rome Montgomery, the man youhate, for ten years?” I squeak out, flabbergasted. “Rome is your boyfriend?”

“Not my boyfriend.” Julianna winces again. “More like… husband.”

I fall back against the sink, catching myself. I press my hand to my forehead as Selene and London enter the bathroom. I feel like I might faint. Is it the pregnancy or is it that I’m just now learning my best friend in the entire world has been married for ten fucking years?

Ten.Years.

Selene and London come to a screeching halt when they see Julianna standing next to Rome. Their eyes drop to their joined hands.

“Rome is yourhusband?” I ask, struggling to make sure I heard her correctly.

London’s hand flies to her mouth as Selene gasps, “Oh, shit.”

I turn my attention back to Julianna and Rome, specifically to their hands. They’re both wearing wedding bands.

When I look back up to their faces, I can’t help the smile on my face. Catching my best friend screwing her husband and family rival of ten years is too good to not find humorous.

“We planned on telling you soon,” Julianna starts, sighing. “But it’s a lot to explain, and we only just got back to the city last night.”

“So, Holt doesn’t know?” Selene asks. “Or your dad?”

Jules worries her lip as her brows pull together. “Nope.”

“Oh.” London snickers, tipping her head back. “I’m totally going to stick around for that conversation. No way I’m missing it.”

“Um, this is the second secret London and I have stumbled in on, so for that, I ask what the fuck?” Selene teases, inching closer to Julianna and Rome.

“This is why our group can’t be separated for too long,” London adds. “We’re on a roll with the secrets tonight.”

Selene stands in front of Rome, holding her arms open. “I guess I would be remiss if I didn’t say welcome to the family?”

Julianna waves her hand, chuckling. “Technically, he was part of the family first, but that’s for another time.”

Selene hugs Rome carefully before stepping back. It’s a hilarious sight, since Rome is all hard edges, covered in tattoos, wearing all black, whereas Selene is all blonde hair and sunshine.

I shake my head, pushing off the sink again. “You both have a lot of explaining to do. Preferably before you tell Holt, because we all know the second you do, Rome is dead.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

HOLT

His face is flaming red.

“Oh, hey, buddy.” I bend over the crib and scoop my son into my arms. “We almost made it. You must sense your mom is coming home soon.”

Luca screams, with his little fists raised into the air, shaking them like stiff little rattles.

I pop his pacifier into his mouth, hoping it’ll curb his shrill shrieking. It does the trick and, within seconds, his eyes are floating shut again, his chubby cheeks puffing in and out as the pacifier bobs between his lips.

Grabbing one of his baby blankets, I set it down on the changing table and gently set him on top of it, swaddling him. Wrapping him tightly, he settles into the crook of my arm as I carry him out of his room and down the hall, back toward where Asher and West are sitting.

“Is he all right?” Asher asks, organizing his poker chips.

“Yeah.” I carry Luca over to the kitchen, where West is popping open a beer. “Are you ever not working?”