Page 5 of When We Fall: Part Two
I nibbled my bottom lip for a moment. While I didn’t want to see Vander Veer, I wanted to be with Enzo.
“OK. I’ll go.”
A grin broke onto his handsome face. “Get ready, OK? I have to make a few calls. I’ll wait for you downstairs.” He stood and dropped a kiss on my forehead before leaving me alone.
I sighed and went to my closet, eager to finish the dinner and praying that it would be short.
Anything less would suck.
THREE
ENZO
“What a beauty,” Vander Veer said for the third time that night as he stared across the table at Rosalie.
She did look breathtaking in the little black dress Cole had bought her.
“She needs more diamonds, Lorenzo. Such a beauty should be frosted in jewels and extravagance,” he continued, his eyes raking over her again.
She shifted next to me, her eyes on the table. We’d finished dinner not long ago. She’d barely said two words the entire time, but I was OK with that. I knew she didn’t want to be here. To be fair, neither did I, but business was business, and she was a far better date than Cole.
“I’ll see to it that she has them,” I said before sipping my wine and hoping he’d change the subject. We were in negotiations for more weapons, and I didn’t want to be rude, but I hated entertaining his ass. He annoyed the fuck out of me. If I didn’t need his weapons for my growing army, I’d have already buried his ass. Literally.
“Rosalie. Tell me, you grew up poor and common, yes?” Vander Veer continued.
She stiffened beside me. “I grew up loved.”
Vander Veer chuckled. “Of course. But you don’t come from money. Your name is common. What do your parents do for a living?”
“My dad is in finance. My mom was a stay-at-home mother.”
“Very common. But we need the commoners for a kingdom, right, Lorenzo?”
I gave him a tight smile. “Rosalie isn’t a commoner. She’s going to be my wife. I expect you to show her some respect and not refer to her as common. She is exceptional.”
“Of course. I meant no harm. I was only trying to get to know her better.” Vander Veer gestured for more wine.
I glanced at Rosalie to see her scowling openly at him. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and she looked at me. A forced smile graced her pretty face.
Vander Veer drank deeply before smacking his lips.
“So. Marriage.” He stared right at Rosalie. “You were lucky to snag a man like Lorenzo. He’s quite powerful. Many of the young girls in our circle weep because they never had a chance. He’s proven not interested in any of them, too.” He let out a booming laugh. “My daughter is quite smitten with him. Lorenzo is so devoted, I couldn’t even pay him enough to leave your side. Quite a lucky woman indeed!” He laughed again. “It’s just as well. I think Celeste has a thing for your sugar daddy now anyway. She said she spoke to him this morning. They’ve been texting one another for weeks now, according to her. I think there’s something there.” He drank again.
“Excuse me.” Rosalie got to her feet just as I was about to launch into Vander Veer for talking shit.
“Where are you going?” I rose to my feet and reached for her hand.
“Ladies’ room,” she muttered, stepping away before I could touch her. I nodded to two of my men on the edge of the room, who followed her.
I sat, irritated out of my mind.
“Honestly, Lorenzo. I see the appeal. She’s a gorgeous woman, but sheisjust a commoner. You could have Celeste?—”
“Listen,” I snapped, interrupting him. “You have insulted not only me tonight, but you’ve insulted my fiancée. You’re lucky I don’t fucking drown you in your wine glass for the fucking blatant disrespect. As for E and Celeste, she’s lying to you. E isn’t interested in Celeste. He will never be interested in her. If you say another word about my girl, you’re going to have a big fucking problem on your hands. Got it?”
His smile faltered, his face reddening.
“My apologies. I’ve had too much wine.” He put his wine glass down. “Rosalie really is exceptional. You’re right. I guess I’m only upset that you chose her over Celeste. I’m still open to negotiating a marriage.”
