Page 109 of When We Fall: Part Two
Because he was right. He was always right.
I needed to let Rosalie go.
THIRTY-THREE
ANSON
“How are you?” Bianca asked as we walked through the gardens on the mansion grounds.
“Been better,” I muttered.
She nodded. “Been there.”
I glanced at her to see her rub her belly. She winced and moved to sit on one of the stone benches near some rose bushes. I followed and sat beside her.
“Babies kicking?” I asked.
She breathed out and gave me a shaky smile. “Yeah. I swear they’re going to come out fighting each other.”
I smiled at that. “I would expect nothing less.”
We were quiet for a moment before I tentatively reached out and rested my hand on her belly. Little kicks greeted me.
“Wow,” I murmured in awe. “I’ve never felt anything like it.”
“It’s all sweet until the kicks and punches are in the ribs,” she said, wincing as a rather rough nudge thumped beneath my hand.
I let my hand fall away, watching as she gazed ahead, a sad look on her pretty face.
Without a word, I withdrew my phone and called Dominic. He answered on the second ring. I’d not called him for her yet. Iknew from our weekly contact that he and the kings were helping the guys look for Fox and E. Nothing had turned up for them either. Matteo, looking into it further, had me hopeful. His men were out scouring the streets, too, so I knew he gave a damn.
“Hey. Everything OK?” he asked, a note of fear wavering in his voice.
“Yeah. Yeah, everything is good.” I got up and wandered away from Bianca because while I wanted her to talk to him, I also had my reasons for needing to speak to him. “You said you were going to stay and help out with Rosalie. How is she?”
“Fucked,” he muttered. “She’s a fucking mess. Female me if you’ve heard those stories.”
I closed my eyes, my heart aching.
“Can you tell her to call me? Or text me? She isn’t returning anything I send to her.”
“She likely won’t. She’s too wrapped up in her fears and grief. I made her shower yesterday.”
“Did you see her naked?” Immediately, I was pissed. I didn’t want anyone to see her without her clothes on. It was a dickhead thing to feel, given the circumstances, but I couldn’t help myself.
He let out a huff of indignation. “You’re joking, right? Yeah, man, I saw her naked. Not all of her, since I can be a gentleman, but she was crying in the shower, so I hauled her ass out and had her get dressed.”
“Why?” I demanded, my throat tight. “Aren’t Enzo and Cole taking care of her?”
He let out a bitter laugh. “They’re too busy dealing with this other shit. I have a feeling Cole is the only one invested in this relationship at this point. I get the distinct impression Enzo is on his way out.”
I swallowed at his words.
“He and Cole rode my ass about falling asleep with Rosalie last night. I kept her company so her friend could get a damnbreak, but I have a feeling she’s banging out Cole’s brother, who was conveniently absent last night. I heard them in his room.” He paused. “Anyway, I kept Rosalie company. Fallon and the guys went out onto the streets to do some digging. Nothing. No one is talking. But Rosalie needed a kick in the ass to eat and shower, so I gave it to her. This morning, I was read the riot act about being in her bed. I don’t want to fight with them, but I let them know their girl is on the fast track out of this world. Cole was hurting. Enzo? He’s just… not himself. I know what fucked up and twisted looks like. This is that, but worse.”
“Did Enzo say anything?”
“He said thank you.” Dom let out another huff of bitter laughter. “She’s going to kill herself if they don’t start fucking paying attention to her. She told me she likes being alone, and trust me, that’s the scary part because when we’re alone and hurting, it’s when we do stupid shit.”
