The Bodyguard: A BWWM Bad Body Romance(33)

That didn’t mean, however, that they hadn’t suffered losses.

Caesar, of course, blamed Solomon when other gangs took over their corners during their brief absence, and the in-fighting developed into an all-out turf war. The strain pushed both men to the breaking point, and now, Solomon planned to take over his father’s empire.

Just as soon as he killed him.

But he had bigger fish to fry first.

“Say it again.” The young nurse standing in front of him all but pissed herself in fear. Solomon had brought her here to substantiate the rumors he heard, and she was well aware that the bearers of bad news didn’t often walk away alive.

“I...Juliet Brown. She was discharged about two weeks ago. Some Federal Agents came to see her while she was recovering.”

Solomon’s furious gaze never left her terrified face. “And she left with these agents.”

“With one of them...a rougher looking one. He might not have been with the other guy but-”

“Shut the fuck up. I need to think.” Placing his booted foot on the edge of the downed table, Solomon shoved it even further away from him, scattering bits of broken glass through the mess he’d created. First his father and family turned against him and now he had to deal with Juliet’s betrayal.

Solomon had really thought they were past all that. He had done everything he could in the past few years to ensure Juliet feared him as much as she loved him. That she would never step a toe out of line. He supposed he should have woken up to smell the roses when she kicked him in the fucking face trying to run away.

Was it any small wonder that he’d shot the bitch? He’d given her everything the world had to offer and she turned on him. Ungrateful little puta.

He’d never imagined she might have survived all that. If he hadn’t gunned her down, Solomon was positive the Torrells must have. Not many people knew about Juliet, but Jeffrey Torrell was well aware of how much she meant to Solomon. If he got hold of her, she never would have left the grounds alive.

But that hadn’t happened.

The cops arrived before Juliet could bite the bullet - literally or metaphorically - and now Solomon found himself faced with one huge ass problem. If she had gone with Federal Agents, he stood to lose a shit ton. A caveat of keeping the bitch so close over the years was that she could be his ruin. The Aguiler Family’s ruin.

But Solomon wasn’t an idiot. His father might be the brains behind the operation but he was the brawn. Most of the violence occurred at his hands - the police would be after him first and foremost and that was why they were tapping Juliet. If they’d promised her protection she would probably sing like a fucking bird.

But maybe he could use that to his advantage.

If only he could get Juliet back, everything would be right as rain. He’d discipline her better this time - make sure she knew what happened when you turned traitor. He might have to mar that natural beauty of hers a little bit but he was an old pro at that.

Juliet was his. No one else used her without his say so. They’d find that out soon enough.

**

Juliet had never been good at waiting. Her mother had always called her impatient growing up, and that impatience had never left her. One of the worst things about being under Solomon’s thumb was all the waiting. She never knew if he was going to discipline her, force himself on her, or just leave her alone. It was a dangerous game of Russian roulette, and she always seemed to lose.

Somehow, this was worse.

Hank had been gone for four days and no one would tell her what was going on. According to Crowley and Bosh, they weren’t allowed to tell her anything having to do with the more classified aspects of the mission, but if Hank was in danger, she would know.

Not that Juliet got the sense that they overtly cared. After all, they considered him a murderer and a loose cannon.

But what did she consider him?

It was a question Juliet hadn’t let herself give too much thought. Certainly, the man was a wonder in bed, but if she were honest with herself, Juliet had to admit that she didn’t have the most extensive experience in that arena. She’d only ever slept with two men, and, compared to Solomon, anyone else had to be a boon.

At least, that’s what she tried to tell herself.

She and Hank still hadn’t really talked. The import of actual conversation had melted away once they got their hands on one another and now...where the fuck were they?

Sighing, Juliet strummed on her guitar. Crowley and Bosh were certainly more attentive than Hank. They came to check on her every hour or so - but part of her suspected it was just because one or both of them was hoping to catch a glimpse of skin. Juliet, however, had paraded around the cabin in sweatpants since Hank’s departure. As she couldn’t really leave the cabin, she didn’t see the need to get all dolled up.

...Though that hadn’t stopped her from buying a few dresses online.

Somehow, Juliet doubted that women were usually as excited over buying clothing as she was. Simmons’ department had brought her the first parcel of clothing, and, while it was functional, it was none too attractive. That wasn’t to say, however, that she wanted to wear the miniskirts and low cut tops Solomon dressed her in while they were together.

Something in between would suit her just perfectly.

Using the credit card she’d been provided with, Juliet spent what was probably way too much money on her own clothes for the first time in years, smiling all the while. It would be a week or two before any of the garments arrived, but that didn’t matter. She’d gone shopping for herself.