On The Ropes

Intermission

Romeo's POV

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I stared at the wall and watched the shadows that crawled them with each passing car that flashed light through the window.

Behind me, the quiet breaths from Bianca kept my thoughts from drifting too far left as she slept peacefully.

She always grounded me. She reminded me that no matter what I did and no matter how far I decided to go, I still had something to come back home to.

Without her, I would've put myself behind bars a long time ago.

Before her, I had no reason to want to stay safe—I had no reason to want to live.

Now I have a family, and at the top of it all I had my wife.

I know that Bianca wants me to stop my endeavors of vengeance—but I can't let abuse like that slide. I can't.

I promised myself a long time ago that if I could stop someone from assaulting someone again, I'd take matters into my own hands every single time.

The vigilantism was one of my better traits—but the things I did to achieve it were likely some of my lesser traits.

Regardless, I never regretted the violence.

The people I hunted always deserved it.

This next one was especially deserving of everything I had planned for him.

The second I shifted to stand from the bed, a hand grabbed my wrist, soon followed by arms wrapping around my waist.

"Lay back down, Rome." Bianca whispered quietly.

When I glanced back at her, I saw that her eyes were still shut, giving her that angelic, peaceful look she had when she was sleeping or near sleep.

She really is my angel.

Sometimes I wonder how I came to deserve a woman like her. Perfect and kind yet strong and resilient.

"You know I gotta go, B." I whispered back to her as I reached back to gently rub her head over her bonnet. "Early bird catch the worm."

"You aren't a bird, Romeo." Bianca sighed as she finally opened her eyes, blinking up at me as she turned over onto her back. "And I'd really prefer it if you waited for DeAndre to wake up." She added quietly.

I watched her move, finding myself beginning to smile as I placed a hand comfortingly on her stomach, watching her eyes fall shut for another moment before she forced them open. "If at'll make ya happy, m'love, I'll wait." I eventually conceded.

I plan on doing what I have to do regardless, but I don't want to stress her out anymore than necessary along the way.

When Bianca gave a simple nod of her head, I moved back into the bed to lay beside her, wrapping my arms around her waist while she laid her head on my chest.

Her breathing instantly became slower, more shallow as she relaxed into me. I could feel her heart starting to beat slower as well—like she was really starting to work herself up about me leaving despite her outward calmness.

She hates when I do this. I know she does, and she knows that I know.

In any other scenario, I would give anything up for her happiness.

But this is something I need to do. For Zavier, yes—but also for every other boy out there who could suffer the same fate now that Zavier isn't fulfilling his duties.

I laid with Bianca for a few more hours. She fell asleep, but I remained awake.

When both of our alarms went off, I showered her with gentle kisses across her face, neck, and shoulders until her eyes finally opened.