She popped off the lid and let out a sigh. “It’s so pretty.”

  “Butterflies have a lot of meanings but one of them is growth and transformation.” I gently pried the necklace out of the box and held it up. “You’ve grown and changed a lot since the day I tried to break into your locker.”

  She laughed softly, then turned and held up her hair. “Some say they symbolize eternal love, too.”

  I leaned forward and kissed right below her ear. “You already have mine.”

  “You have mine too,” she whispered.

  I slid the chain around her neck, worked the tiny clasp open and secured it. “There.”

  “Thank you.” She let her hair down and turned to face me. “You got out of jail and the first thing you did was swing by the mall to pick up a present for me?”

  “I didn’t want to show up empty-handed.”

  “This is your home too.” She laid her hand over mine and squeezed. “Get dressed. You need a decent meal. And I want to talk to you some more.”

  “Yes, dear.”

  Laughing, she leaned in and gave me a quick kiss, then hurried out the door, closing it behind her.

  I returned to the dresser and pulled out a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Sighing as I slipped into the clean-scented clothes, I felt better than I had in weeks. I grabbed my damp towels and hung them in the bathroom before heading downstairs.

  In the kitchen, Juliet was seated at the table, munching on a bag of chips. I took the seat next to her and stared at the huge roast beef sandwich she’d prepared. Oozing with mayo, it was stacked with tomatoes, lettuce, and a thick layer of roast beef. Just the way I liked it. She slid a small bowl full of something white that looked like chunky mayonnaise in my direction.

  “Horseradish mayo. Dex has a thing for it. I thought you might like it too. Careful, it’ll set your sinuses on fire, though.”

  “This looks perfect as it is, but I’ll give it a try,” I promised before biting into the closest half. “Ohmygod,” I mumbled while chewing, not caring about manners. “Best damn thing.”

  She chuckled and bit into another chip.

  Feeling wrong about eating in front of her, I nudged my plate toward her, offering her the other half.

  She held up her hand. “I stuffed plenty of roast beef in my mouth while I was putting yours together.”

  So overwhelmed by the behemoth of a sandwich, I’d overlooked the macaroni salad she’d neatly scooped into a bowl for me. I shoved a forkful in my mouth. “You’re the best damn cook.”

  “It’s hardly cooking.”

  “Don’t care.” I slathered the horseradish mayo on one corner of my sandwich. “You’re the best.”

  She watched me in silence as I destroyed the meal she’d lovingly put together. But it was a comfortable, easy silence.

  Finally, I sat back. “Thank you.”

  “There’s more if you’re still hungry.”

  “I’m good for now.” I shifted, unsure of where to go next.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “Today?”

  “All of it.” Her steady gaze drilled into me. Fearless. Juliet wanted the truth, no matter what.

  So, I told her all of it. From the Wolf Knights’ plan to the container full of cocaine the cops caught me with. My time in jail, all the way to the surprise change in lawyers, my swift unexpected release, Dex meeting me and giving me the bike. All of it.

  Juliet absorbed the story in silence until I purged every last piece.

  “Thank you for trusting me.”

  All of Dex and Ulfric’s warnings to “keep women out of club business” returned but I didn’t care. This woman had my back unlike any other person I’d ever known. Her loyalty deserved truth from me. “I trust you more than I’ve ever been able to trust anyone, Juliet.”

  She chewed on her bottom lip. “Is Dex…is that what his club is involved with, too? Drugs?”

  “I don’t think so, but I’ve never directly asked. The job he hooked me up with is going to be strictly fixing up bikes.”

  “Or so he said,” she muttered.

  I huffed a quick laugh. She had a point.

  “Who hired the lawyer for you?” she asked.

  “Dex’s club or maybe both clubs did once they knew I wouldn’t snitch? I didn’t get to ask. Everything happened so fast. Barry said it was a family friend. I assumed it was you at first.”

  “Why didn’t you tell the cops the truth? You weren’t involved.”

  “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.

  Would I trip as I walked up the stairs to collect my diploma? I’d never worn heels so high before. It was probably a dumb idea. What if the small points stuck in the grass as I walked to my seat and I face-planted in front of an entire stadium of people?

  Eh, except for Vienna, I never planned to see any of those people again. So, who cared? Not like most of them knew me anyway.

  I had my head flipped over and was working a wide-bristle brush through my hair while aiming the blow dryer at it when I sensed movement. Roman’s bare feet came into my field of vision.

  I flicked the dryer off and flipped my hair back, standing straight. “You’re up.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me?” He lazily stretched his arms over his head and braced his hands on the doorframe, allowing me to study his naked torso. My gaze dipped to the sweat shorts hanging loosely at his hips. It was such a casually sexy pose, my brain fizzled.

  “Juliet? You all right? Are you nervous about today?” Concern crept into his voice with each question. He stepped forward and tugged the blow dryer from my hands. “Let me help you.”

  I reached out and traced my fingers over his abs. “Sorry, I was momentarily distracted. Morning looks good on you.”

  He chuckled and ducked his head. A slight pink spread over his cheeks.

  How could he be embarrassed? “This can’t be news to you, Mr. Hawkins.” I hooked my fingers in the waistband of his shorts and yanked him closer. “I thought I showed you last night how sexy I think you are.”

  “You sure did.” He cupped my hips and leaned in to drop a kiss on my forehead. “But if you keep giving me those bedroom eyes, you’re going to miss your graduation.” He waved his hand in the air in a hurry-up motion. “Flip your hair over again.”

  I grabbed my brush and bent at the waist, shaking my hair out before brushing it smooth. The hot air from the dryer followed my hands and after a few minutes, I stood straight, grabbed my round brush, and styled my wild hair into place.

  “That’s good!” I shouted over the noise of the dryer and flashed a thumbs-up at Roman.

  He flicked it off. “You look fantastic.”

  “Thanks.” I picked up a small barrette and clicked it open and closed a few times. “I feel like I should pull it up or back or something, but it’ll be easier to get the cap on if I leave it down.”

  “Probably.” He wiggled his fingers toward my barrette. “Bring your clip thingie. In case you change your mind.”

  I smiled at “clip thingie.” Such a guy phrase. “I’m going to pack some stuff in case I need it. Will you mind holding onto it for me?”

  “Whatever you need.” He popped another quick kiss on my forehead. “Come on, though. You’re going to be late. You need me to make breakfast?”

  “I ate when I got up. Sorry—”

  “Juliet, I can feed myself. Go get ready.”

  I scurried into the living room. A glance at the clock lit a fire under my butt and I raced up the stairs to the bedroom. My phone was buzzy dancing across the nightstand and I scooped it up.

  “Hey, V.”

  “You need me to pick you up?” she asked.

  As much as I was dying to take a ride on Roman’s new motorcycle, I didn’t want to risk ruining my pretty dress. “Actually, yes. We never picked up my car last night. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “Nope. Gives me an excuse to get away from my parents. They’re driving me nuts.”

  Her parents were hell-bent on her going to dental school and joining the family practice one day. I could picture them lecturing her about only making it into the top ten in our class. “I bet.”

  “Ugh. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  Sheesh. I shouldn’t have spent so much time on my hair.

  We hung up and I hurried to strap myself into the new bra and panties, found a slip, and finally tugged the dress off its hanger.

  “Need help?” Roman asked.

  I jumped and turned. “To zip it, yeah.”

  He approached slowly. “I’m afraid of dirtying it with my grubby hands.”

  “You’re not grubby.”

  Warm, rough hands skated down my spine. Heat from his body simmered against my back. His soft lips brushed against my shoulder. “It pains me to cover you up,” he said in a rough voice.

  A happy shiver danced down my spine. “I promise you can take it off as soon as we get home.”

  He kissed my shoulder again before sliding the zipper into place.

  I turned and tugged the fabric away from my hips as if I was about to dip into a curtsy. “What do you think?”

  “It’s different.”

  My eyes widened. “You don’t like it on me?”

  “I didn’t say that. It’s…colorful. Bolder than what you normally wear.” He shrugged. “It’s pretty on you.”

  “Hmm.” I turned and stared at myself in the mirror. “Well, I like it.”

  I caught him rolling his eyes in the mirror. “My idea of dressing up is a freshly laundered T-shirt, clean jeans and shitkickers. So, I’m not sure why you care what I think.”

  “Of course I care what you think.”

  “Juliet.” He leaned closer and rested his chin on my bare shoulder. Light scruff tickled against my skin. “I think you’re stunning.” He dropped his gaze. “I think if I catch anyone staring at your cleavage today, I’m going to gouge out their eyeballs.”

  “So violent,” I muttered.

  “You have no idea.”

  I wiggled my shoulders, testing the strength of the dress and new bra to keep everything in place. “I’m going to stuff a wrap in my bag. Just in case.”

  “What do you want me to wear?” he asked.

  “It’s going to be hot and the ceremony is outdoors.” I glanced out the window. The sun was already beating down something fierce. “So jeans and shitkickers might not feel great.” I walked over to the dresser and pulled out one of the bottom drawers. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be getting out…or when you might…but I was hopeful. I ordered some summer clothes for you.” My voice caught and I paused to clear my throat. “I hope everything fits.” I reached out and tickled my fingers over his ribs. “You, um, bulked up a bit, while you were…away.”

  He grabbed my hand and pulled it up, dragging his lips over my knuckles. “You did that for me? Even though I…even though I might not be coming back?”

  “I wanted you home with me. So…I tried to plan for things as if you were coming home.”

  “Juliet.” He wrapped his arms around me, crushing me to his chest. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me, yet. It’s just some shorts and—”

  “It doesn’t matter. You always believe in me. Even when I don’t believe in myself.”

  I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight. “And I always will.”

  Roman

  A few hours later, I found myself cooking in the bleachers of my former high school’s football field while waiting for Juliet to walk the stage and collect her diploma. As hot as it was, the sun felt good on my vitamin-D-deficient skin.

  “Jesus,” Dex groaned and wiped sweat from his brow. “They couldn’t have offered the families some seats in the shade?”

  I searched through the bag of “supplies” Juliet packed before we left the house. My fingers grazed a slippery tube and I pulled it out, handing it to Dex. “SPF 50 should help, Casper.”

  One corner of his mouth lifted in an amused smirk and he snatched the tube out of my hand. “What else you got in your purse, Vapor?” He tapped Juliet’s quilted tote bag with the toe of his boot.

  I yanked the handles apart and peered inside. “Besides the sunscreen? Juliet packed water bottles, granola bars, an umbrella, bug spray, wet wipes, deodorant, lip balm, toothbrush, Tylenol, uh, some hair ties and a brush—”

  He rubbed his hand over the top of my head. “Can’t let your pretty locks get ruffled, huh?”

  “Har, har. That stuff’s for her, obviously.” I lifted my chin. “She was worried about the cap messing up her hair.”

  “You two are already like an old married couple.”

  I shrugged but inside I was pleased with his observation. “There’s an extra pair of shoes in here too.” I pulled out one glittering purple sandal. “If you wanna change out of those stinky boots later.”

  He barked out a laugh and elbowed me in the ribs. “Gimmie one of those granola bars, smart-ass.”

  While he tore into the snack, I scanned the field. Way toward the back, a row of graduates emerged and lined up, then marched toward the lawn. I craned my neck, searching for Juliet in the sea of black gowns.

  “There she is.” I nudged Dex.