Page 102 of From Rome, With Hate

“Jules.” I sigh, tossing my head and giving her a smile. “Hi.”

I’ll never get over how much she looks like our mother. My chair screeches across the marble floor as I stand, still holding Luca in my arms.

“Here, Selene.” I hold Luca out slightly. “Take Luca so I can give my sister a hug.”

“Wait.” Julianna holds her hand out, her smile dropping. “Don’t hand him to her just yet.”

“What?” I scoff, confused. “Why?”

“Because you can’t get mad with a baby in your arms.” She winces. “Or murder anyone.”

“What the hell?” I ask, holding Luca closer to my chest. “Why would I have any reason to murder?—"

I don’t get to finish my sentence before Rome steps out from the end of the hallway. I’m suddenly standing face to face with a man I’ve hated my whole life. While the reason has been convoluted for generations, my beef with Rome isn’t. It’s crystal fucking clear.

“Take the baby, Selene.”

Selene takes a step, holding her arms out.

“Don’t do it, Selene,” Julianna warns, locking eyes with me.

Selene freezes mid step.

I grind my teeth, unable to break my focus from Julianna. “Take our son, Wallflower.”

“Using her nickname is useless right now, Holt.” Julianna smirks, and that look makes me want to fucking explode. I hate she’s fucking right in this moment. I can’t get angry with Luca in my arms.

“But,” Selene mutters, quiet as a mouse, “I do like it when he uses my nickname.”

Julianna shoots her sister-in-law a glare. “Not the point right now, Selene.”

“Right.” My wife snaps her mouth shut and waves a hand before taking a step back. “Sorry.” She chuckles, hoping it’ll lighten the mood, but it doesn’t.

My entire body is humming with anger. White hot blood is racing through my veins, and I want nothing more than to set my son down gently before murdering Rome fucking Montgomery, staining my marble floors with his blood.

“You were trying to be friends with Rome, remember?” Julianna reminds me. “All those months you spent cozying up to him.”

“That was before the asshole fucking sued me, Jules,” I seethe. “He nearly destroyed my magazine and my life.”

“Yes, and you nearly destroyed his. Plus, he dropped the lawsuit.”

I scoff, cackling with disgust. “As if that makes it any better.”

“Actually, it does,” Rome cuts in, his voice setting me on edge.

“Rome,” Julianna whispers, grabbing onto his hand.

“It’s fine, Lark.” Rome touches her cheek, and if I could, I’d chop his fingers off just for doing it.

“Don’t you fucking touch her,” I hiss, anger building in my chest. I take a step closer.

“She’s my wife, so I have every right to touch her,” he barks back, broadening his shoulders.

I blanche, my skin growing cold. A chill wraps around my spine, and I’m utterly frozen. Only seconds ago, I was seething with rage, but now I’m simply… numb.

“Yourwife?”

“Holt.” Julianna drops Rome’s hand, and I can’t help catching sight of the ring on her finger. “Please. I just need you to hear us out and then I think you’ll understand.”