Star-Crossed(9)

They walked along the sidewalk, heading toward the parking lot to find the rental car. Nova gripped Romeo’s shoulder, squeezing it affectionately, making it obvious he understood his inner turmoil. It didn’t help that they had to pass Juliet, who’d finished up her conversation with the police officer and was walking to the front entrance of the hospital. She had her gaze on her phone but looked up as they walked past.

“Oh!” Juliet gasped when she saw them. “Wellings, wait!” Romeo turned to her. A pulse of excitement shot down his spine and found its way to his dick when she rushed up to him. With hair sparkling like spun gold in the sunlight, and eyes such a stunning shade of blue they seemed to glow, she was captivating up close, and Romeo’s breath caught as he studied her. She was taller than he’d realized, probably close to five-eleven, and Romeo liked that for once he didn’t feel like a giant while standing next to a woman.

“I wanted to say thank you.” Juliet reached out and touched his arm, her small fingernails brushing against his bicep. “What you did for Melody? That was just—” She swallowed hard, her eyes growing watery as she looked up at him. “I dunno why you risked your life like that, but I want you to know how much we appreciate it. I appreciate it, because Melody’s the sweetest little thing in the world, and Clay loves her so much. I dunno what would’ve happened if you hadn’t stepped in.” 24



“Are they okay?” Romeo’s voice sounded rough even to his own ears. “I know the ambulance drivers said Powers would probably be okay, but he did get shot, and Melody was bleeding all over the place and—”

“Oh yeah, they’re fine,” Juliet assured him quickly. “They’re keeping Clay overnight, but he’ll be fine. Melody needed a buncha stitches, and her shoulder’s kinda messed up, but—”

“Shit, I did that.” Romeo winced. “I guess it was the adrenaline. I didn’t know my own strength.”

“Hey, it’s okay. Better a bum shoulder than the alternative.” Juliet held out her hand. “I’m Jules Conner.”

“Like Wyatt Conner?” Romeo couldn’t help but ask as he shook her hand and felt that electric pulse once more. “The Deputy. ”

“Yeah.” Jules rolled her eyes. “He’s my brother, but don’t hold that against me.” Bingo.

Romeo grinned in triumph. Of course she was his sister. He should’ve known with how tall she was. Wyatt Conner was nearly his height, and Romeo was sure if he had a full-blooded sister, she’d have easily been as tall as Juliet.

“I’m Romeo Wellings,” he offered, though it seemed redundant. He just used the moment to hold on to her hand for a few more milliseconds. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Are y’all in town another night?” Jules asked, looking from Romeo to his brothers beside him.

Nova and Tino spoke in unison. “No.”

“Yes,” Romeo said at the same time. His brothers turned to him, dark eyes wide and concerned, but he ignored them. “They’re leaving tonight,” he lied and stomped on Nova’s foot for good measure when he made a choked sound of denial. “Now, actually.

But I’m free all night.”





25

“Lemme buy you dinner,” Jules said so earnestly Romeo would have been inclined to agree even if this woman didn’t have him feeling fidgety and sixteen. “It’s the least I can do.” Her smile grew broader, more endearing and genuine. “Say yes.”

“Yes,” Romeo said without hesitation. “What time?” Jules glanced at her phone and then looked up with a guilty wince. “I’ll be a while.

I’m Clay’s lawyer. I got to finish a few more things with the police, and I wanna make sure Clay’s settled. Melody’s likely staying the night with him at the hospital, so I’ll have to grab them some things from the hotel. Is eight too late?”

“Eight’s perfect.” Romeo resisted the urge to take in all of her with a long, sweeping look, because it was obvious Jules was in that strange lawyer mode that was common for her breed. She was friendly and professional and obviously intent to wrap up everything for Clay, including a proper thank-you to the big fool who’d saved Melody’s life. Trying to play the game, he became cordial. “You wanna give me your phone number, and we’ll touch base once you’re done with everything here?”

“Oh yes, good idea.” Jules reached into her purse to pull out a business card and an expensive gold pen. She laughed to herself, shaking her head as she wrote on the back of the card. “If you would’ve told me yesterday I’d be buying Romeo Wellings dinner, I’d have called you crazy. Things change faster than I can keep up with sometimes.”