Page 120 of When We Fall: Part Two
“I don’t want her to wake,” Enzo rasped. “I want her to sleep forever so she doesn’t hurt.”
“We can’t keep her down forever,” I whispered, my chest aching.
“We will for a bit.” Enzo looked at me. “We have to. She won’t be able to handle it.”
“Enzo--”
“Cole, stop. I-I can’t deal with this right now. Let me get Fox’s body. We have a funeral…” his voice cracked before he inhaled deeply. “We have to call his dad.”
“Get his body. I’ll call his dad.”
“No, it should come from me,” Enzo said. “It’s my fault.”
“Enzo, don’t blame yourself?—”
He held his hand up to silence me. “Take care of E. Kill anyone who tries to get close.”
His phone buzzed, and he reached into his pocket and answered. I didn’t listen to his call. I went back to E’s side and brushed his hair away from his battered face.
“It’ll be OK,” I murmured, one of my tears falling on his cheek. He was knocked the fuck out. Luckily, nothing was broken on him, at least not outwardly, but he was beaten to piss. Docs gave him pain meds that I was sure would set him backa million steps, but he’d make it out to the other side. E was strong. He always made it.
He hadn’t been conscious yet to speak.
I feared when he would.
“The kings are coming. Dom is going to our place with Fallon. Vin and Levin are coming here. They’re going to sit with you.”
My eyes misted over. It wasn’t long ago that we’d done that for them while Dom was in the hospital.
I nodded, my throat tight.
Enzo moved to E’s other side and leaned down. I watched him kiss E tenderly on his forehead.
“I love you, brother,” he whispered. “I’ll bring Fox home. Stay strong.”
“Be careful,” I called out, my voice thick with emotion. “We can’t… I can’t lose you, too.”
He gave me a curt nod before leaving the room, the door clicking closed behind him.
I held my head in my hands and let my tears out.
If I didn’t cry, I’d explode.
I was so fucked. Everything was fucked. My heart was aching for my Rosebud. I dreaded the next few weeks.
There was one thing I knew, though.
Nothing would ever be the same again.
And for that, I wept harder.
THIRTY-SEVEN
ANSON
“Tell me what happened,” I demanded as I stormed into my father’s office.
He stood from behind his desk and smoothed down his tie.
