Page 24 of Romeo

Riley opens the front door, and I step into a gorgeous living room that somehow manages to appear comfortable and elegant at the same time.A leather sectional angles around a stone fireplace.There’s a TV hanging above the mantel, but it’s the far wall that really holds my attention.

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves span from the wall with the fireplace all the way into the dining room.There’s a doorway leading outside right in the middle, but not an inch of shelf space is open.

It’s completely full.Top to bottom.

My book-loving heart skips a beat.

“That’s a lot of books.”

“I like to read.Feel free to borrow one if you get bored.There are more shelves in my bedroom and some tubs in the office.”

“Who says I even enjoy reading?It doesn’t sound like something a spoiled ‘red-carpet princess’ would enjoy.”

He eyes me, brow raised.“It’s written all over your face.My room and office are back that way.”He gestures toward a hallway off the kitchen.“Yours is down this way.”Walking in the opposite direction of his room, he crosses the living room and starts down a hallway with three doors.“That’s the bathroom, this is a second guest room.And this is your palace, princess.”He pushes open a paneled door that leads into a beautifully decorated bedroom.

A sleigh bed with a dark mahogany headboard and footboard sits against the wall to my left while a matching dresser is centered on the wall across from it.A patterned quilt covers the bed, and a green plant sits on the bedside table.

It’s comfortable.Lovely.And because I know he’s expecting me to turn my nose up at it, I shove all of those happy feelings way down deep.Burying them even past the demons collecting dust in the back of my mind.

“Thanks.”I keep my tone level and move inside then set my bag down on top of the bed.Sunlight pours in from the window flanked with cream-colored curtains.

“Yeah.The entire house is video monitored on the exterior, and I had Tucker set up alerts so I’ll be notified if anyone approaches the perimeter.”

“Tucker?”

“My brother.”

“He your residential security expert?”

“Something like that.Dinner is at six.We’re leaving here at five fifty.”

I turn toward him.“Leaving?”

He nods.“Dinner is at my parents’ house.”

There is no easy way to describe the panic that assaults me.His parents?More people to hate me?To look down their perfect noses at me?“Oh, I don’t know?—”

“I’m telling you now so you have a few hours to come around to the idea.I’m going, which means you are too.There are spare clothes in the dresser and closet; my sisters-in-law went shopping and picked them out, so if you hate them, it’s their fault, not mine.You’re more than welcome to air your complaints at dinner tonight.”

Because I sense this is not up for negotiation, and after over a week of not eating anything but things that come from a vending machine or a hospital cafeteria, I can honestly say I’m starving, I nod.“Fine.I’ll be ready to go by five fifty.”

“Great.See you then.”He turns to leave, shutting the door behind him.

Alone, I turn and survey the room, a smile spreading over my face as I gently run my hands over the quilt.It’s so soft beneath my hands.Warm.And for the first time since my grandfather was killed, I feel a sense of peace settling over me at the idea of getting a full night’s sleep without the worry of what may come tomorrow hanging over my head.

Even if I am staying in the spare bedroom of a man I seriously cannot stand…but trust with my life.

Chapter10

Riley

“She’sinfuriating.” I run both hands over my face while Elliot tries hard not to laugh.“Seriously, you should’ve seen how she looked down her nose at the guest bedroom.”

“Well, to be fair, you don’t have the greatest decorating skills.”

“I bet she saw all his books and it freaked her out,” Tucker interjects.

“You guys are hilarious.”I cross my arms.The monitors in Tucker’s office are all on, and from them, I can see my place.So far, there’s been no activity whatsoever, and since Jules was in her bedroom when I left, I’m assuming she must be napping.

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