“No.”
Jules stepped closer to him and tilted her head back, making her eyes soft on purpose. “It’ll give us more time.”
Romeo took a shuddering breath, his gaze running over her features before it dropped to the dip in her nightgown. “I want that, but not at the risk off you getting hurt. Nothing’s worth that.”
“You can’t make me fall in love with you and then leave forever,” Jules whispered, suddenly fighting tears when she realized she was at risk of ending up like the rest of the Conners. “That ain’t fair.”
“It’s not.” Romeo sighed. “But—”
274
“All I’m asking for is a few days.” She ran a hand over Romeo’s chest, feeling his heartbeat strong and steady through the thin material of his shirt. “Please don’t make me let go yet, Romeo. I’m not ready.”
Romeo’s chest rose and fell, the war within him noticeable before he wrapped one arm around her back, pulling her closer. He leaned down, his breath warm against her ear as he gave a huff of defeat. “I’m not ready either. Come with me.” Jules took a shuddering breath and lifted her head, studying his face, seeing tears shining in his beautiful eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck, being careful of his ribs this time as she pressed her lips to his in a chaste kiss.
“Just gimme a few moments to gather everything,” she said after a second. “It won’t take long.”
Jules turned and rushed up the stairs, already making a mental list of all the things she needed. She went for the essentials and filled her carry-on efficiently. Then she changed her clothes and headed for the gun safe. She had a handgun in her nightstand, but she wanted her new Colt Commander. Once she had it open, she eyed the rest of their extensive collection. She considered grabbing the mini fourteen assault rifle she’d given Wyatt, but she didn’t have the heart. She grabbed an older model shotgun, and one of Wyatt’s favorite handguns, knowing it’d fit Romeo’s big grip.
Then she packed them carefully, feeling Romeo’s eyes on her when he showed up at the doorway to her bedroom. “How many guns do you own?” Jules lifted her head, unable to help the guilty smirk. “A few.”
“And you know how to use them?”
“Would I carry them if I didn’t?” Jules asked as if it were obvious. “Do you know how to use a gun?”
“I go to the range with Tino and Nova all the time.”
“Good deal.” Jules nodded in appreciation, glad they weren’t going to have to go through gun safety 101. “One less thing on my to-do list.
275
“You’re unique,” Romeo said with a soft, broken laugh. “You really are.”
“You ain’t exactly ordinary,” Jules assured him as she tossed her bag over her shoulder. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah,” Romeo said as he grabbed the gun bag. “We’re not going to have much room in my car. I packed twice as much as you.”
“That ain’t a problem,” Jules said dismissively as she brushed past him and walked down the hallway. “We’re leaving the Ferrari. My car’s got plenty of trunk space.”
“You expect me to leave behind my brothers and my car?”
“What’d you think is less conspicuous?” Jules asked. “You’re six-six, two-hundred-seventy pounds, and a famous UFC fighter. You don’t exactly blend, and a Ferrari sure ain’t gonna help.”
“And you think I’m gonna leave my car in your driveway?” Romeo asked incredulously. “At your brother’s mercy?”
Jules turned and smirked at him on the stairs. “I think it’ll be okay.”
“He’s gonna come home and find you gone. He’s gonna know it’s my fault. My Ferrari is in no way okay.”
“I don’t think he’s capable of criminal property damage.” Romeo gave her a look that said he thought Wyatt was more than capable of criminal property damage. “We’ll drive it back to Tino. He was gonna have to bum a ride off Chuito tomorrow to the car dealership and buy something. This’ll save him time and cash.”
“Does he know ’bout your dash for freedom?”
“He helped me pack.”
“That works. I’ll follow you to the lake house; then we’ll leave together in my car.
Course you still shouldn’t be driving, but I guess it can’t be helped.” 276
Jules walked over to the desk in the corner of the living room. She grabbed a pen and worked on writing Wyatt a note. She put thought into it, making sure he knew she was leaving of her own free will. He’d be one to put out an APB on them in a heartbeat if he suspected otherwise. She signed the note Ju Ju Bean just so he’d know she was being sincere, because no one except Clay was aware they still used the nicknames that’d carried over from toddlerhood. She wouldn’t sign it like that if she was being kidnapped, and he knew that.