His Juliet: An Age Gap Hurt Comfort Mafia Romance (Empire of Royals Book 2)

It was three in the morning, and Juliet was fading. Her eyes drooped as she slumped against the wall. We’d finished all my travel-sized bottles of liquor and, judging by how much she had giggled through the rest of our game, she was a lightweight.

I’d gotten more truths out of her—she lived alone and did not have a boyfriend. She hadn’t asked me if I was dating anyone, so I’d pointedly volunteered the information. It felt essential that she knew I was single, but I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like we could date. We were from different worlds, but the more time I spent with her, the more captivated I became.

Juliet was stunningly gorgeous—every move she made drew my eyes to the curve of her hips, her lush thighs, her cute tummy. Her hair had been so fucking soft when I touched it, and I wanted to wrap it around my fist just to keep her close to me. I’d reluctantly put my shirt back on, but I wanted her hands on me again, and I wanted to keep looking at the tattoo she’d marked me with.

I shifted to hide my hard-on. Juliet was handling this whole being held hostage in her own store thing much better than the average person—or so I would imagine, not having spent time with anyone outside the Family in years—but she still had a careful look in her eyes.

It was smart. Good. She should be wary of strange men.

But I didn’t want her to be afraid of me.

“Truth or dare, beautiful,” I said softly, silently begging her to pick dare.

She did.

My heart skipped.

“I dare you to come here.” I widened my legs and patted the space between them.

She scowled. “Why?”

“Because I dared you to,” I said with a wink. Then I softened my voice. “I won’t hurt you. Promise.”

She slowly, slowly moved towards me until she was between my legs. I put my arms around her, pulling her into my chest until she was resting fully against me. My fingers trailed through her hair.

“Just relax. You can rest here. I’ll keep you safe.”

Her body was stiff, but I was patient. I ran my hand slowly up and down her arm, her back, her hair, until she let go, relaxing fully against me. It wasn’t long before she fell asleep.

My phone screen lit up and I glanced down at it. It was a text from Matteo giving me the all-clear. Franco had finally gained access to the street cameras and confirmed that the Butcher had left the area.noveldrama

I ignored it, hugging Juliet closer.

I’d cultivated a reputation throughout the years of going through women and never having long-term relationships. I was Romeo, the jokester, the playboy. It benefited me to have people not take me seriously. To not see the darkness that lurked underneath the surface.

Juliet was too pure for my life, and that made my throat feel strangely tight.

She shifted in my arms, letting out a distressed whimper like she was having a nightmare. I murmured quiet promises in her ear about how nothing bad would happen to her while I was here. She settled down, her breathing even and slow.

And I wished my promises could extend past this one night.