Page 62 of Romeo

“In private,” he replies, gaze traveling over all of the brothers.“I don’t see why you needed to bring them here.I hired security.”

“We’re not here to protect her,” Tucker says with a smile.

“Then why are you here?”Odie replies, his tone arrogant.Big mistake.

“They’re here to protect you,” Riley growls.“From me.”

“Me?And just what reason do I have to fear you?”

Riley doesn’t respond.He doesn’t have to.

Because Odie’s gaze travels between us, and he shakes his head, a knowing grin on his face.“Oh, I see.The drunk spewed some lies and drama about how everything was my fault, and now you’ve decided to go all macho, huh?Well, news flash, Mr.Hunt, I am not afraid of you.With the snap of my finger, I could bury you.”He snaps for effect.

Every single one of the brothers moves in a bit closer.It’s subtle, but the very air around us shifts and goes deadly still.

“Let me make somethingveryclear,” Riley says.“Should you even look at Jules wrong, your fingers won’t be the only thing to snap.”

Odie pales.

He opens his mouth to speak.

Something warm sprays my face.Odie’s eyes go wide.Riley is tackling me to the ground before I can even fully process the red spot blooming on the front of my brother’s once-crisp white shirt.

I scream.

People scatter.

“We have to find cover!”Riley roars as he rips me up to my feet but keeps me in front of him.His weapon is drawn, and his brothers fire in the direction of the shooter.

My blood pounds in my ears.

Death.

So much death.

Another shot fired.Riley grunts behind me.I turn, but he shakes his head and rushes me forward.We drop down behind a large headstone, Romeo at our side.The dog is panting, his ears perked forward as he awaits a command from his master.

“Odie,” I say.“Odie is dead.He died.”

“We don’t know that,” Riley replies as he shrugs out of his jacket.He hisses in pain, and I note the blood staining his side.

“You were shot.”

He raises his shirt, revealing a toned stomach smeared with blood.“I was just grazed.I’ll be fine.”He shoves it back down then rolls up to the balls of his feet and leans out.

In the distance, tires squeal as someone peels out of the cemetery.

“All clear!”Bradyn calls out.

My heart continues slamming against my ribs, even as Riley helps me to my feet.

“Stay behind me just in case,” he says.

The second I see Odie on the ground, Elliot applying pressure to his chest, I push my way around Riley.“Odie!”I call out, falling to my knees beside him.

“Call an ambulance,” Odie growls to a man I’ve only seen a time or two over the years.I know he works for my brother’s security detail though.

“Already done, sir,” he says.

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