“What truth? That I didn’t know there was coke in the cannister I picked up?” I shrugged. “They wouldn’t believe that unless I came up with some details about the Wolf Knights MC. Overall, Ulfric’s been good to me. I didn’t want to burn him or his club. What good would that have done? Cops asked me about Dex too, but he’s your family. I wouldn’t snitch on him either.”
Her eyes widened at the mention of Dex’s name. “Ulfric kept telling me not to worry, that they’d take care of you, but he wouldn’t give me any specifics.”
“I’m not surprised. He’s got…opinions about women being involved in club stuff.”
“But you told me.”
“Like I said, I trust you, Juliet.” I sighed and glanced away. “I think in Ulfric’s head, not sharing is a means of keeping the people he cares about safe.”
For anyone else, the next logical question would’ve been was she in danger now that I’d told her the truth. But we’d both lived through enough events that taught us to be loyal to the people who’ve been loyal to us regardless of whatever might be the “right thing.”
Technically, Ulfric might be a criminal. Dex too, but they’d both protected and provided for us when the rest of the world let us down.
“Enough about me. What’s been going on with you? Tell me everything I’ve missed, Juliet.”
A sad smile flickered over her lips and she sat back. “Well, I tried inviting Aunt Susan to my graduation but that didn’t go over well.”
“Why’d you do that?”
She shrugged. “I thought, maybe with Uncle Jared no longer clouding her judgment, she’d…I don’t know, remember that I’m family? She’s the last connection to my mom, you know?”
Hurt shadowed her words. I reached over and slid my hand over hers. “I’m sorry.” At least the last member of my bio family—my grandmother—had done everything in her power to protect me.
“She’s pretty bitter about all this.” Juliet waved her hands in the air, indicating the house Mrs. Shields had left her.
“Yeah, she thought she’d have you toiling away as her slave a little longer.”
Her lips set into a grim line and she nodded. “That’s what I got from our brief conversation.”
“What else?”
“I’m taking summer classes at the community college.” She hesitated, biting her lip. “They have an Automotive Technical Services program you might be interested in.”
I opened my mouth to shoot down her suggestion. No money, sick of school, and a dozen other reasons jumped to mind. But how the hell was I supposed to take care of Juliet with few legit ways of earning money? “I’d like to check that out.”
The lines of tension around her eyes softened with relief. “I’m going to work part-time in a doctor’s office too. Mr. Porter helped me find the job with one of his friends. And at the ice cream shop nights.”
“Busy, busy,” I teased.
Her expression remained somber. “I wanted to make sure I filled my time, so I didn’t miss you so much.”
Guilt slugged me in the stomach. “Come here.” I held out my arms, inviting her closer.
She pushed her chair back with a squeak and closed the short distance.
I pulled her into my lap, hugging her tight. The weight of her felt so good against me. “I missed you, Juliet. Every night you were in my dreams and I was so angry to wake up and find you weren’t there.”
She carefully traced a line down my cheek, along my jaw, and to my shoulder. “Maybe our spirits met up in our dreams because you were in mine every night, too. And I wanted to cry in the mornings when I woke and you weren’t beside me.”
“Never again,” I swore. I swooped in to seal my promise with a kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She lifted and adjusted until she was straddling my lap, feet dangling on either side of the chair.
I pressed my lips against hers harder and she looped her arms around my neck.
“Let me show you,” I whispered.
She drew back, one eyebrow lifted in a teasing expression.
I slid my hands along her thighs to her butt, squeezing gently. “Hang on.”
She squealed as I gripped her and stood. “What are you doing?”
“Words are cheap. I want to show you how much I love you.”
“How?” She touched her forehead to mine.
“By worshipping your body for the rest of the night.”
Chapter Sixty-One
Juliet
I woke up with a smile stretched across my face. The weight and warmth of Roman’s body sprawled next to me made me sigh with happiness. He was home, safe, and free. Graduation Day was already perfect.
Quietly, I tossed the covers aside and slipped out of bed. I had so much to do to get ready for the ceremony, but I didn’t want to wake Roman until I absolutely had to.
I slipped downstairs and went about my morning routine, using my favorite shampoo scented with roses and sandalwood. Excitement and nerves jounced through me while I slicked conditioner through my long, thick hair.