Star-Crossed(6)

Romeo, looking nervous. “You were involved in the same incident as Mr. Powers and Miss Dylan, correct?”

“Yeah.” Romeo unwrapped his hand quickly. He really was desperate to get out of the hospital. “I told those ambulance guys I didn’t need help, but the cops were barking at me and the hotel manager was sweating over getting sued. Like I need their damn money. Sorry, man, this is probably a big waste of your time.”

“Oh, I dunno.” The doctor looked at Romeo’s hand, which was still bleeding.

“You definitely need stitches.”

“Great.” Romeo rolled his eyes. “Just what I need, more stitches.” The doctor lifted his gaze and stared pointedly at the line of stitches above Romeo’s eyebrow. “Get them often?”

“I’ve had my fair share.”

“I saw Saturday’s fight.” The doctor turned to the sink and started washing his hands. “It was pretty exciting.”

“Not from where I’m sitting,” Romeo said darkly. “I think Saturday’s fight sucked.”

“Hey, maybe we oughta get a real doctor in here. A specialist,” Nova snapped, making it obvious he was angry over the fight conversation and was about to start something to defend Romeo. “You don’t want some crackpot intern doing a hack job.”

“That was the first fight Romeo lost—ever,” Tino added protectively as he narrowed dark, menacing eyes at the doctor. “His fists are worth more than your life.”

“Okay.” Romeo knew this was about to go downhill fast. “You two need to get lost. Why don’t you take off and let this guy do his job?”

“What?” Nova gave him a look of disbelief. “No way, man. We’re not just gonna leave you here and—”

“You guys are suffocating the hell outta me.” Romeo rolled his shoulders and avoided his brother’s eyes, leaving it unsaid that he was still pissed off that their family

17

bullshit was messing with his career. “Lemme sit here and get my hand sewn up in peace. I’ll catch a cab back to the hotel.”

Nova hesitated for a long moment. Guilt showed on his handsome face once more before he nodded. “Okay, Rome. If you don’t wanna be around us—”

“I don’t,” Romeo assured them, not knowing why it was surprising. “I really don’t, Casanova.” He used Nova’s full name in the same voice their mother had when she was disappointed. “I need space.”

Tino and Nova both stood there looking hurt. For a moment they reminded Romeo of the two broken kids that’d lost their mother and had no one in the world to depend on except a nineteen-year-old brother who didn’t have a pot to piss in and barely knew how to take care of himself. Romeo almost caved and asked them to stay, even if they were bullying the doctor for shits and giggles. To say nothing of putting a career Romeo loved in jeopardy just to please a father and a grandfather who didn’t deserve their loyalty.

Almost, but not quite. The wounds cut a little too deep this time.

“I’ll see you.” Romeo turned away from them, spying the doctor washing his hands much slower than necessary.

He was sure their family drama would be the topic of conversation for months to come. Usually he loved being a UFC fighter. He’d worked hard to get where he was, and Romeo was vain enough to admit he liked the attention. He certainly appreciated those seven-figure paychecks, but every once in a while it truly sucked being famous.

Nova and Tino left.

No questions, no hug, they just sulked and disappeared in a way Romeo would have thought was impossible for his brothers. No matter how mad he got—and he was pissed off at them on a regular basis—they usually ignored the annoyance and smothered him anyway. Maybe it was because Nova and Tino were Italian through and through and therefore naturally open and affectionate. Maybe it was because it’d been the three of them against the world for a little too long for it not to leave a mark.



18



Whatever the reason, this was the first time in memory that Romeo parted ways with his brothers so sullenly.

“Your brother’s name is Casanova?”

Feeling dazed, his heart hurting over the wedge that’d been driven between him and his brothers, Romeo turned back to the doctor. “Yeah.” The doctor gave a nervous half laugh, making it obvious Romeo was every bit as intimidating as his mafioso brothers. Perhaps more so because Romeo had over seven inches and fifty pounds on both of them.

“That’s—unique.”

“My mother had a thing for romantic heroes.” Romeo felt that pang in his chest become more pronounced. “She believed in them for some reason.”