Page 136 of When We Fall: Part Two
“I-I just wanted to say how sorry I am. Fox was one of my best friends. He was more than that to me, though. He was family,” I said thickly. “I miss him.”
He studied me wordlessly for a long time before he spoke. “He liked you a lot.”
“H-He was a good man. The best,” I said, my voice trembling. “I-I don’t want to believe he’s gone. Rosalie… I-I want to help.” I began spilling my guts to him.
“Have you seen her?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No. Without Fox, it’s too dangerous. He always kept things from escalating too much. Cole and Enzo aren’t my biggest fans. Cole especially.”
He sighed. “I’m not surprised. Cole Scott was always a violent little shit.”
I said nothing. Movement at one of the doors pulled my attention away.
Rosalie.
She looked like hell. She’d lost so much weight. Cole steadied her as they walked. Fox’s casket was closed, but it was just as well. I knew the sort of damage the underground could inflict on people. I didn’t want her to see him that way anyway. A large framed photo of him in his football uniform sat atop the black casket. There were photos of him and the guys. He and his family. Football. Singing. Riding his dirt bike. Then a motorcycle. In all his pictures, he was smiling.
It made me sick.
Fuck, I missed him.
I turned back to speak to Santino, but he’d already moved past me and was walking forward to Rosalie and the guys.
Not fucking good…
Deciding fuck it, I went after him. I wasn’t sure if he’d need help, but I wanted to punch Cole in the face anyway, so this might work in my favor.
But then I thought about how broken my LeeLee already was, and I decided I had to be the voice of reason, making sure things remained calm.
“Rosalie,” Santino said softly as he stopped in front of her.
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. It took her all of a moment to break away from Cole and throw her arms around Santino’s neck.
He held her back, rocking her in his arms as he whispered words to her that I couldn’t hear.
I took that opportunity to look at the guys. Cole outright glared at me. Enzo was focused on Rosalie and Santino, looking more tense than I’d ever seen him.
And then there was Ethan.
Fuck…
He looked like hell. His face was busted to fuck. Black and blue. Cuts. Tears. He was so thin and frail.
“Ethan,” I choked out, stepping toward him.
“Don’t even think about it,” Cole snarled at me, getting between me and E.
I swallowed and took a step back.
Santino released Rosalie, and she looked at me.
“Ani,” she whispered, her face soaked with tears.
“LeeLee,” I answered, my heart shattering.
She came to me, falling against my chest as she clung to my suit. I held her back, noting that Cole had moved forward. Santino took that opportunity to get between us.
He was snarling at Cole and Enzo. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, and I honestly didn’t give a shit. Rosalie needed me, and I was here for her.
