Page 101 of When We Fall: Part Two
The guys had been gone for longer, though.
And no hope.
I hadn’t spoken to Anson. Standing was a chore. I didn’t even bother to shower most of the time, even though Jamie tried to get me to. I didn’t care anymore.
Cole and Enzo were never around. I knew they were trying to find Fox and Ethan, but Enzo didn’t even come up to see me when he came home to rest. Cole did. He would lie in bed with me and kiss me, whispering to me that he loved me.
At least the first two weeks, he did. Now he barely spoke to me. He simply made sure I was alive before leaving again.
I was alone.
“Hey,” Dominic called out, popping his head in. I winced as I sat up.
We’d texted off and on now and then, but nothing significant. He checked in to see how I was or if I needed anything. That was all. He was really the only one aside from Colten and Jamie, but Colten had been going out with Enzo and Cole lately, Jamie said.
“Hey. What are you doing here?” I nervously pushed my hair away from my face. I really was a mess. I needed a shower in the worst way.
“Well, Jamie needed a break, so Colten took her out. I needed a break from everything. Enzo needed some help. I’m here with you while the guys are out working.” He stepped into my room and looked around. “You need to open the curtains. It’s a fucking cave in here.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled, watching him stalk to the window. He pushed the curtains open, letting the evening sun flow in.
He returned to me and moved my blankets aside.
“Let me see your wound,” he commanded in a gruff voice.
I let him lift my dirty camisole. It had healed over by this point, although I was still seriously tender and sore. Cole had taken me to the doctor a few days ago, and the doctor said I was healing nicely, but I wasn’t allowed to lift or do much more than continue to rest.
“It looks really good.” He let my shirt fall back over my abdomen.
“How many times have you been shot?” I asked.
“Several. They always suck.”
I frowned. “You’re so young to have that happen to you.”
“So are you,” he countered. “To be fair, Enzo has been shot… what? Three times? Four times? Bullets don’t discriminate.”
He had me there.
“When was the last time you showered?” he asked gently, his roughness disappearing as he stared at me.
I ducked my head, my cheeks hot from embarrassment.
“I don’t know. A long time.”
“Don’t you think you should? Are Cole and Enzo not taking care of you?”
“They’re busy, and I honestly don’t have the energy. I just want to be in my bed.”
“I get that, but life is happening around you. I’ve been where you’re at, Rosalie. It’s not going to get better by you not showering. If anything, it’ll get worse. I’m going to start the shower, and you’re going to get in there and wash.”
“I don’t want to,” I started in a choked whisper.
“Listen, here’s how this is going to play out. You’re going to let me help you into the shower. You’re going to do your business, or I’ll do it for you.”
My cheeks heated again. The last thing I wanted was for Dominic De Santis to see me naked or bathe me.
He raised his dark brows at me in a challenge.
