ROMEO

by Ruby Rowe

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  EPILOGUE

  ROMEO

  Ruby Rowe

  Copyright © 2017 Ruby Rowe Books

  Cover Art by Just Write. Creations

  Edited by Amanda Hill with Mad as a Hatter Editing

  All Rights Reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  NOTES

  ROMEO is told from the points of view of Ava and Griffin.

  This novel contains explicit language and graphic sex, including aspects of BDSM.

  DEDICATION

  My ROMEO beta readers deserve this dedication. They went above and beyond for this one! Thank you, Ladies.

  CONTENTS

  NOTES

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  EPILOGUE

  END NOTES

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  Ava

  “That’s a wrap,” Director Newman exclaims. I join in with the cast and crew, applauding and smiling. The Los Angeles air seems lighter in seconds, the stress dissipating as it takes a backseat to my alleviation.

  “What’s next?” my costar Drake asks as he touches my arm. Like always, there’s a glimmer of flirtation in his dark brown eyes.

  “Tonight’s party and my long overdue staycation.”

  “You know what I meant.”

  “Yes, but I’m not sure what’s next since the roles are getting few and far between.” Smiling at another cast member walking by, I fool with a strand of my blond extensions.

  “I can envision us starring in a drama together,” he says. “We should write a screenplay.”

  “I’ll think about it.” My assistant, Holly, is hovering nearby, so I step out of Drake’s reach. “I have to go.”

  I don’t give him a chance to respond. I’d love to be cast in an award-winning drama, but I’m losing faith in nailing a role like that, especially at my age.

  Not to mention, it’d be another opportunity for Drake to make a pass at me, and I’m not interested. It’s hard enough being intimate with him on camera.

  I can hear Holly’s flats on the asphalt behind me as I head to my trailer. I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, and deep breaths are once again hard to come by. As if Holly knows, she catches up with me and hands me a bottle of water. Her high auburn ponytail is falling, and she’s sweating, too.

  My relief over having the filming behind me is brief as I think about what that also means; I’m another year older. Forty and two months to be exact. In Hollywood, it might as well be sixty.

  “Send Newman’s wife flowers. He mentioned she had back surgery a week ago,” I say.

  “Got it.” Her tone is clipped, reminding me that she’s as ready as I am to have this film completed. “You can leave for the day. I’ll text you if I need anything.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Take tomorrow off, too.” Frank, who’s my bodyguard and head of my security team, holds open the door to my trailer for me. “I’ll be ready to leave in twenty,” I say to him.

  “I’ll call Harold.” His tone is short, and I’m beginning to think my staff needs a vacation from me.

  Alone in my trailer, I wipe the sweat from my upper lip and march to the bathroom. I pee and then stare at my tired green eyes in the small mirror above the sink.

  “Out of sight, out of mind,” I mumble. As much as I shouldn’t take time off work, my body is telling me I need the break.

  About the time I exit the bathroom, there’s a knock on my door.

  “Come in.”

  “Are you ready to get those extensions removed for the last time?” my hairstylist and close friend Bonnie asks.

  “Please.” Taking a seat in the makeup chair, I look in the mirror as she comes up behind me.

  Her eyes light up. “Oooh, flowers. Have you read the card yet?”

  “No, but Frank said they’re from Oliver. My ex’s ass-kissing isn’t as enjoyable as it was in the beginning.” She’s piqued my interest, so I lean over and swipe the card from the bouquet of a dozen yellow roses.

  “As I suspected, it’s a note of groveling. Of course, we both know they were only sent as a peace offering. He’s hoping they’ll give my honest mouth a filter, but he can forget it.

  “He cheated with that young gold-digger, so I’ll deal with the humiliation while the tabloids splash the news on every cover. If it hurts his reputation and career, it’ll be worth it. He’s such a wuss. Do you know the man wouldn’t even get near my ass while we were together? All talk and no play.”

  Covering her mouth, Bonnie snickers and places a handful of my long extensions on the salon station in front of me. She begins combing her fingers through my chin-length blond hair while I admire her long, fiery red strands in the mirror.

  “I better never piss you off. You have so much dirt on me,” I say to her with a wink.

  “To the grave, sister.”

  “I wish my own sister followed that sentiment. I think she’d rather put me in the grave.”

  “Family is overrated.” Bonnie stares back at me in the mirror with her hands on my shoulders. Reaching back, I pat the top of one.

  “Thank you for feeding me bullshit. Now, feed me more, and tell me this party is going to be enjoyable.”

  “You’re going to have a fabulo
us time, darling,” she says in a drawn-out, dramatic voice.

  “You’re a terrible actress, but I’m lucky you’re a great friend.”

  After she makes my hair presentable, I give her a hug and change into some ankle jeans and a silky pink tank. Slipping on my white pumps, I grab my Fendi satchel bag and open the trailer door.

  As Frank watches me take the two steps down to the ground, he speaks through the mic on his cuff to the other guard who’s with our driver.

  In two minutes, Harold pulls up next to us, and I notice how the black town car shines. Frank opens the back door for me, and I get inside before he joins me, taking a seat on the passenger side.

  “Do you think my stalker, Romeo, is in that crowd?” I ask him as we drive off. There’s a small group of fans and paparazzi huddled just outside the gate, and I imagine they’re here to see my famous, young costar Sydney Sinclaire.

  “I wish I knew. I want him behind bars, but not before I get my hands on him.”

  Harold picks up speed, and once we turn onto Melrose Ave., we escape the herd of onlookers. I settle into the leather seat and pull out my phone.

  Frank and the other guard (who’s sitting up front and whose name I can’t remember) make small talk while I check my email. It becomes quiet, and after a minute or two, Frank shuts the partition.

  “We need to talk.”

  I glance at him, and as soon as I see his earnest expression, I drop my phone into my bag.

  “OK, talk.”

  “I’m resigning.”

  “What? You can’t–I mean, please don’t.”

  “I’m sorry. I know it’s terrible timing with the Romeo situation, but I have to step down. I’ve met someone, so the hours and travel are no longer feasible.” His salt-and-pepper hair is well-kept, like always, so when he pushes his short bangs farther to the side, I know he’s nervous.

  “Wow. OK.” Biting the corner of my lip, I look out the window. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t trust anyone the way I trust you.”

  “I know a replacement. His name is Griffin Scott. He’s professional, an all-around great guy, and I trust him completely. He was Mindy Velasquez’s bodyguard for the last two years.”

  “After working for her, I guess he would have experience. I think Mindy publicly humiliated herself in every major city on the planet.”

  “He resigned. He wouldn’t say why, but I believe it was from Ms. Velasquez’s out-of-control partying. I’m sure she kept him on high alert all hours of the night.”

  “If he wouldn’t tell you, then that means he’s discreet.”

  “He didn’t breathe a word, other than the fact he was looking for work and desired a more low-key client. I met him at the gym about a year ago.

  “When we realized we were in the same profession, we began hanging out; well, we do when we’re in town at the same time. Once I considered retiring, I knew he’d be a great fit. I trust him.”

  “If you feel that certain, then I’ll have Holly schedule an interview.”

  “Thank you. I think you’ll be impressed by him.”

  “Will he hover less than you?”

  This comment earns me a rare chuckle from Frank. His relief over our talk shows in his smile and reaches his hazel eyes.

  “I can’t promise. He’s taken down more than one pushy fan for Ms. Velasquez. I’ve seen videos of him in action.”

  “Being my bodyguard should be a walk in the park after dealing with her.” I smile. “Well, as long as he keeps me safe. Does he know who my father is?”

  “I’d be surprised if he didn’t.”

  I nod. “Right. You would think I’d remember that the world knows every detail of my life, including how my father is a mobster.”

  Teddy (Titus) Leoni.

  He’s gettin’ too old to break legs, but he has the manpower beneath him to kill the poor bastard who tries to harm me, along with the bodyguard who failed to keep me safe.

  It was a risk Frank was willing to take. Will this Griffin be as brave? I place my hand on Frank’s bicep. “If he gets the position, will you bring him up to speed on Romeo?”

  “Of course. Mr. Scott won’t let that psycho anywhere near you.”

  Griffin

  “My sweet pet, your body looks incredible strapped to that bench, especially your bare ass.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  Colleen does look incredible this way. She’s on her stomach with her arms tucked against her sides. She’s in a black tank top and purple skirt, which is flipped up, revealing only a thong and her flesh.

  I’ve secured her tightly to the wooden bench with rope at her biceps, thighs and ankles. I’m going to turn her ass pink with a paddle. I’ve been building up her tolerance at Dungeon Six, where we’re both members.

  We enjoy doing scenes together, but it’s not often we get the chance since I’m usually out of town, guarding my principal. On nights I do arrive at the club, her light brown eyes exude excitement and anticipation.

  After I’ve changed clothes, I always find her waiting near the bathroom door, hoping I’ll ask her to do a scene with me. She’s younger than I’d prefer, but her overly-submissive behavior draws me to her.

  “What is your safe word?” I move her straight, dark ponytail from over her shoulder to down the center of her back. Her cheek is pressed to the wooden bench, and she’s staring up at me as I stand to her side.

  “Onion.”

  I crack a smile. “I’m beginning to wonder if you’re a gardener by day. Either that, or you work in the produce section of a grocery store. If I recall correctly, your last safe word was broccoli.”

  “That’s correct … about the broccoli. I don’t work with vegetables. I only choose those safe words because they make you smile. They’re the only times I see you smile.”

  My humor vanishes. “It’s time for your ass to be spanked.” Her eyes close as I bring the paddle down, but I believe they shut more from shame than anticipation.

  Like most of the women before her, she’s become attached. Being a bodyguard is my passion, my duty. I don’t have time to meet the needs of a sub, and it’s what she’s hoping I’ll ask her to be–my submissive. I should’ve realized what was happening from her eagerness.

  I show restraint on the first two hits, but the aggravation over her comment grows within me, so the third strike is much harder. The thud of it draws a few people near us. They stand at the front of the open room as I face them from behind the bench.

  On the fourth hit, Colleen clenches her ass, and her forehead scrunches. I’m pushing her to her limit, and that gives me a rush, but it doesn’t squelch my frustration.

  “Turn your head to face the crowd so they can see your beautiful face.” More people have joined at the front of the room to watch our scene, so I use it as an excuse for her to turn away.

  The reality is that I don’t want to see her face. It’s revealing her disappointment, which is interfering with our play. My anger isn’t helping, either.

  If we were to do another scene together, Colleen would be pouty, and the time after that, she’d be pissed. This is the third woman this year who’s wanted more from me, and it’s only late May.

  I bring the paddle down the fifth time, and she yelps. Realizing that I’m no longer doing this for the right reasons, I stop. “We’re finished. Lie still.”

  “But, you only gave me five spankings.”

  “You manipulated me with your safe words. Are you questioning my decision and authority, too?”

  “No, Sir,” she mutters with shame.

  Setting the paddle down on a chair nearby, I pick up a bottle of lotion. I squirt it in my hands and warm it before I begin to massage her ass.

  She whimpers as the crowd silently watches me provide her aftercare. Once I’m finished, I help her up, and she straightens her clothes. Her head is lowered, so I lift her chin.

  “We need to talk.” Nodding in return, her eyes meet mine. “You may go while I clean up,” I add. She disappears f
rom the room, and as I sanitize the bench, I think about what I’ll say to her.

  I shouldn’t be angry that she wants me to be her Dom. It’s an honor, and maybe the right woman would make me crave the same thing, but since I don’t feel that for Colleen, she’s not that woman.

  My job comes first. Well, presently, I’m between principals, but the plan for me to become Ava Lane’s bodyguard was put into motion. It’s a bonus that Ms. Lane seems like the perfect match for me as a client.

  She’s older, and Frank claims she’s calmer than the young pop star I’ve been guarding for the last couple of years. That crazy woman was going to cost me my life.

  I walk around the common area, looking for Colleen. She’s at a small table, watching a couple play in the first of the three rooms, but as much as her eyes are fixed on them, I sense her mind is elsewhere.

  Unfortunately, I’ll tell her what I tell the others who fall for me: I can’t be your Dom, and I can’t do a scene with you ever again.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Ava

  After resting at home for a few hours, Frank and I leave for the wrap-up party. On the way, he tells me about the woman he’s dating. Although I’m saddened by his resignation, I’m thrilled he’s found happiness.

  He’s forty-five and has finally met someone he wants to settle down with. It’s wonderful, but it means I’m in need of a new bodyguard.

  I could promote a man on my security detail, but it’s not what Frank recommended, which means he doesn’t think any of them are qualified. I trust his judgement, so I’ll interview Mr. Scott.

  Before we arrive at the venue, I reapply my pink lipstick and smooth out the lace bodice of my royal blue cocktail dress. Since I haven’t had children, my boobs are still perky, but I wouldn’t be disappointed if they were a cup size bigger.

  We pull up at the entrance of the nightclub on Sunset. Some of the taping of my film First Comes Love was captured here, so PR thought it’d be the ideal place to hold the party. It’s closed to the general public tonight, and I’m happy to see there are only a few paparazzi out front.