Page 53 of From Rome, With Hate

Then there’s Julianna.

I’ve been working out a way to fit her into my plan, knowing it will need to be executed properly for us both to come out alive on the other side.

“I’m so sorry I’m late.” Julianna emerges from the trees lining her family’s second home—the one I snuck into months ago.

I’ve been waiting outside, in the shadows, replaying the memory of what happened only an hour ago over and over. I parked my blacked-out Benz down the road, out of sight from any security guards or cameras. We’ve spent months arranging clandestine meetings any chance we get. At least it’s no longer freezing outside and the rose bushes and trees are in bloom, the spring air warm and inviting.

Julianna runs toward me before leaping into my arms. She’s wearing a black, velvet mini dress with thin diamond embellished straps. The diamond tiara resting on her head reads ‘Birthday Girl’.

She grins from ear to ear, giggling as she wraps her hands around the back of my head and pulls me in for a kiss. Her pink-painted lips taste like strawberry, mingling with her signature scent of vanilla and patchouli.

The visceral memories of witnessing a stranger’s murder only hours ago immediately fade into the background because I’m here with Julianna, surrounded by her warmth.

“I left as soon as I could.” She keeps her lips close to mine as she breathes me in.

I pause, memorizing this moment.

“What’s wrong?” She pulls back, eyeing me with worry.

“Nothing.” I sigh, the squishing sound of my father’s blade slicing warm flesh filling my ears.

“Doesn’t look like nothing.” She frowns.

I hate that I’ve made her worry. It’s her birthday. She shouldn’t be worried about me.

“I’m sorry.” I give her a small, reassuring smile. “My father had me run an errand, and this one has taken a little while to forget. But I’m good now, I promise.”

She knows exactly what I mean by ‘errand’. I’ve told Julianna the truth about my family and the mantel my father wants me to take up. First step was turning eighteen. The nextis graduating high school. With graduation only two months away, he’s ramped up how many ‘errands’ he wants me to accompany him on.

Telling Julianna the truth about the origins of my family’s wealth was risky. Her father is the mayor of New York City, for fuck’s sake. Working with the police, it’s his sole job to break and uncover men like those in my family.

From what my father has told me, Kingsten Capuleti hasn’t ever been able to produce solid proof of my family’s crimes enough to put him away for life. That would be a Capuleti’s dream.

Maybe telling Julianna was risky, but only because of the name she bears. Not because of her heart. Not because of the love I know she holds for me.

She knows I want to escape this life, so I’ve been able to trust her with the torment I go through every day living in Dominico Montgomery’s shadow, and how badly I want to break free from it.

“How did you leave?” I nod toward the house behind her. “What did you tell them?”

“All the girls wanted to watch a movie in the theater before eating cake. I told them I wanted to take a walk.”

“Lark.” My expression falls. “What if Sola or one of them follows you out here?”

“They won’t.” She shakes her head confidently.

“So, it’s just a girl’s night, then?” I ask, hating how fucking insecure I sound, but my question isn’t without reason.

“Yes.” She grips the side of my face. “My dad wanted to invite William Trent, the senator’s son, but I told him no. I wanted it to just be me and the girls.”

“I hate how your dad is always trying to set you up on dates.” Rage simmers beneath my skin. “It’s so fucking weird.”

“He’s the mayor of New York City, Rome,” she tries to explain for the one hundredth time. I have yet to buy her excuses. “He’s just trying to ensure I find someone who will complement our family name.”

I pop a brow, trying not to let it get to me again. The last time she told me her dad was trying to set her up, it took me days not to let it send me spiraling. It was a mind fuck I couldn’t escape. But I trust Julianna.

I brush off the frustration and jealousy brewing in my veins, not wanting to ruin her birthday.

“And I’m not good for you?”