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

Juliet woke up a few times as we reversed our journey in the van back to the plane. Every time her eyes opened, relief coursed through my limbs. But when they closed, I was consumed once more with panic.

I clutched at her wrist, the gentle pulsing of her heartbeat the only thing keeping me from losing my shit. “I swear she didn’t have a pulse when I found her. I checked.”

“I’m sure you did,” Leona said. “Some poisons can slow someone’s heart rate until they only have a very faint pulse. You couldn’t have known.”

She was right, but I couldn’t shake my guilt for leaving Juliet alone in that room.

For giving up on her so fast.

I gently pet Queenie, who absolutely refused to be parted from Juliet. She was curled up on her lap. I had a strange gratitude towards the cat for being with my girl when she was alone.

We finally pulled onto the tarmac of the private section of the Tirana Airport. Matteo and Leona got out of the van first, and the rest of our men fanned out to cover us.

“Do you need help with her?” Matteo asked.

I shook my head but did allow Leona to carry Queenie.

I held Juliet close to my chest so she wasn’t jostled as I strode up the stairs to the plane, heading straight to the bedroom at the back. Aria was already there, her medical kit set up on the side table. She threw a concerned look at Juliet and gestured at the bed. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I could get away with keeping Juliet on my lap. But she needed to be thoroughly checked, so I reluctantly laid her on the mattress.

“Romeo?” Juliet’s voice was hoarse, and I grabbed a bottle of water.

I propped her up with my arm around her back. “Here, angel. Drink this.”

She took a few sips before pushing it away. “Where are we?”

“Private plane. We’re headed back home.” My voice cracked and I gathered her up in my arms again. “I’m so sorry, Juliet. So fucking sorry.”

“Did—” She paused and her gorgeous green eyes met mine, slightly unfocused and glassy. “Did you give me to the Butcher?”

Her whispered question sent ice through my veins.

“That’s what he said—that you knew about my connection to the Albanians and were using me.”

A slow, sinking horror filled me like heavy stones. In the horrifying chaos, I’d forgotten the Butcher’s words. “No. No. I never… Fuck, did you believe him, sweetheart? I would never betray you. I love you, angel.” Tears dripped down my face, but I didn’t care.

She let out a deep breath and relaxed against me. “No, I didn’t believe him.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Are you sure? I swear, I would never work with⁠—”

“I know. I’m sorry I asked. I just needed to hear you say it.” She ran her fingers through my hair and I shuddered. I missed that. I’d missed all of her.

“It was agony without you,” I murmured. “Do you understand how much I love you? I can’t live in a world without my Juliet.”

“My Romeo. I love you, too.”

Her eyelids fluttered closed and I lightly shook her. “Stay awake for me, angel.” Panic entered my voice again, and I looked to where Aria was standing off to the side in an attempt to give us privacy.

She rushed over. “Juliet, can you hear me?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m Dr. Aria Amato. Is it alright if I check you over?”

Juliet nodded, her eyes still closed. I took her hand between both of mine, hating how they felt like icicles. She was still in her horrible wedding outfit. Why hadn’t I thought to bring clothes for her? She would just have to wear mine until we got back.

Aria started by drawing blood, letting us know she was going to get it tested to see what poison Juliet had been given.

“Your vitals are stable, but your blood sugar is low, your blood pressure is low, and you’re dehydrated. You’ll need lots of rest and care for a couple of weeks.”

“She’ll get it,” I said fiercely.

Juliet’s eyes were still closed, but she managed to pat my leg, a small smile pulling at her lips. “You’re going to be super overprotective, aren’t you?”

I brushed my lips against her forehead. “You know it.”

Aria asked Juliet if she could check the rest of her body for any other injuries. We slowly stripped off her dress, keeping her covered with blankets for warmth and privacy. Every bruise and scrape on her skin made me wish I could kill both Butchers all over again.

“Juliet, I have some questions we might want to discuss privately. How about if Romeo steps out for a few⁠—”

“No,” Juliet and I said at the same time.

Aria’s lips twitched. “Alright, then.” She cleared her throat. “Did anyone touch you sexually?”

I dragged in a shuddering breath while I waited for her answer.

“No. He tried to, but I pushed him off me, and then I guess we both went unconscious.”

I reminded myself that I’d already killed Abazi and, unfortunately, couldn’t do it again.

Juliet’s brow furrowed. “Wait, did everyone wake up? What happened?”

“We can talk about it when you feel better,” I murmured.

She forced her eyes open. “No, tell me now.”

I sighed. She deserved to know, but I wanted to shield her. “Your aunt, Elira, gave me an antidote for you. The others died.”

“My aunt?”

“That’s what she said.”

Juliet closed her eyes and curled up against me again. “Oh.”

“Is it safe for her to sleep?” I asked Aria.

“Sleep is good. I’m going to start a saline drip and I’ll monitor her vitals.”

I grabbed a pair of my boxers and sweatshirt from my small pack and carefully dressed Juliet.

“I’m sure we’re taking off soon,” Aria said. “I’ll go up front to give you some privacy, but get me if anything changes.”

She opened the bedroom door to find Matteo standing there with Queenie.

“The cat is upset,” he said.

Aria grinned as she slipped by him. Matteo deposited Queenie on the bed and she made a beeline for Juliet, curling up on her chest.

“Is she doing okay?” Matteo asked.

“I think so. I’m worried the poison will have some sort of long-term effect.” I kept my voice low, not wanting my words to reach Juliet in her sleep.

Matteo nodded. “We’ll make sure she has the best care possible the moment we land. We’re leaving in five.”

“Thank you,” I said roughly. “For being here, even though it meant leaving Sofiya and Clementine.”noveldrama

“You know I would do anything for our family. That includes Juliet now.”

I nodded, my throat tight. Matteo’s acceptance of her meant the world to me.