COLE “Wow, this is off the beaten path,” Juliet remarks as I pull into the parking lot of the small Italian restaurant on the outskirts of the city. Admittedly, that’s part of the reason why I chose this place. More importantly, though, I picked it because it’s a hidden gem- the atmosphere is intimate, the food is amazing, and it’s not obnoxiously stuffy or fancy. It seemed like a decent spot for a date. Though technically this is my first one, so I’m totally winging this whole thing. I shrug a shoulder in response, parking the Camaro and cutting the engine. “Can’t risk being seen out with me, huh?” she laughs as she unbuckles her seatbelt, cutting me a sideways glance. Although she says it in jest, I detect a bite of hurt in her tone. This isn’t how I wanted to start the night. I blow out a breath, reaching over to grab Juliet by the chin and turn her face toward mine. “I’m a very private person,” I say, staring into her pale blue eyes earnestly. “Make no mistake that I want to b

Juliet“I’m still waiting for the play-by-play,” Shay teases, kicking her feet and splashing me from her perch on the edge of the pool.I pull myself partially out of the water to fold my arms on the warm concrete beside her, heaving a sigh. “You already got it. The date was great, but we just came back here after and went our separate ways. It was super anticlimactic.”Shay grins, waggling her brows. “You mean anti-climax-tic?”I giggle, pushing off from the wall and splashing water up at her. So obviously, Shay knows all about Cole and me. I was going to go crazy if I didn’t confide in someone soon, and I couldn’t drop a bomb like that on Quinn and expect her to keep it from my brother, so Shay was the next best option. Plus, the girl isn’t stupid- she knew something was going on between us, so I basically just filled in the blanks for her. She’s been so supportive and insightful that now in hindsight, I wish I’d told her sooner.“What’s with the slow play, anyway?” Shay asks. “Bo

JULIET Leave it to Astrid to pop up right when I’m more pissed off at her brother than I ever have been, intent on giving him the cold shoulder to make him suffer for it. It’s not as if I could turn down her dinner invitation. I’ve always liked Astrid and am happy to see her, even if it does mean sitting beside her brother and trying to play nice throughout the meal while suppressing the urge to stab him in the arm with my fork. There’s no way the others don’t pick up on the tension between us. In fact, judging by the looks they’ve been throwing our way, I know they do. Cole is in full on business mode, all polite smiles and courtesy laughs, while I’m still silently fuming about this morning. I try to push it aside for the sake of everyone else, but I’m not near as skilled as Cole is when it comes to burying my emotions. I tend to wear them on my sleeve, which makes for a slightly awkward dinner. It’s not all bad, though. Astrid and Brock announce that they’re expecting and we’re al

JULIET I press my thighs together tightly and swivel to dangle my legs out the back door of Tobias’ SUV, careful not to flash the long line of clubgoers waiting outside of Zodiac as I hop down from the vehicle. The skirt I’m wearing tonight is sinfully short; a high-waisted black pleather number that I’ve paired with a lacy maroon bodysuit and heels to match. And if you think I wore this outfit with the intention of driving Cole crazy, then you’re absolutely fucking right. The man is going to lose his shit in the best way when he sees me tonight. I can’t wait. Shay hooks her arm through mine, tugging me sideways so Kylie and Eddie can climb out of the SUV behind me. Meanwhile, Tobias comes around the front of the vehicle and tosses his keys to the valet. “Dang, is it always like this on a Monday?” I ask, elbowing Shay and nodding to the crowd of people waiting to get in the club. They’re lined up all the way to the corner of the building and there’s no telling how many more are wait

JULIETThe cold metal of the handcuffs digs into my wrists as I shift positions against the hard plastic seat in the back of the squad car, leaning forward to alleviate the pressure against them. They’re cuffed behind me, leaving little room for comfort as I’m jostled around with every turn we take and every bump in the road.I can’t believe this is happening again. The first time, at least I could cry foul because I hadn’t actually done what I was being accused of. That’s not the case tonight, though- which has me nervous that I may not get out of this one as easily. I know Cole’s well-connected, but I’ve yet to learn how far his reach really goes. As it is, my stomach’s in knots, twisted with uncertainty about my fate.The officer driving the car suddenly takes a left turn at high speed, sending me sliding across the back seat and slamming into the door. My head thumps against the window and I cry out on impact, but the only response from the cops is the sound of their low chuckles