Page 229 of When We Fall: Part Two
“I can’t rent you the apartment, hummingbird,” he said as the outside air hit us. “I have a no pets policy. Sorry.”
I’d have laughed if I hadn’t been screaming inside.
“Frank, Call Joey. I need a cleanup,” Klaus said gruffly. “Tell Matteo it’s the Russians again.”
“On it,” Frank, our driver, said as Klaus got into the backseat and held me on his lap.
“Easy. It’s OK. Nothing is wrong. All is well,” Klaus said softly as the SUV pulled onto the street. “Shh, stop your tears.You’re OK. Breathe. Slowly. Match my breathing. Feel my chest beneath your fingers, sweet one. Everything is going to be OK.” His deep rumble had a way of soothing me.
It took several minutes, but eventually, I calmed enough to release his shirt. I noticed I’d clawed him. I winced as I reached out and traced the ugly scratches on his chest where his shirt was unbuttoned.
He shivered beneath my touch.
“It’s OK,” he murmured again. “I hope you’re not upset about the pet policy.”
“No.” I shook my head as he brushed away the last of my tears. “I-I hope you’re not upset that I think you might be running a drug house.”
His big body shook at my words, his hard muscles moving with the effort as he laughed.
“You are a funny little thing. Tell you what. Let me show you a really nice apartment. I’ll make up for the drug house.”
“I’d like that. I-I have fifty thousand dollars for rent.”
He laughed again, not bothering to move me to my seat.
And for some reason that I didn’t even know how to explore, I liked that.
SEVENTY-TWO
ANSON
Rosalie seemed to be in a good mood the last few days. I caught her humming in the kitchen while she cooked dinner.
I sat at the island, watching her, smiling as she swayed her hips and hummed some song I didn’t recognize.
“What’s the song called?” I asked.
She looked at me from over her shoulder. “Um, it’s just a silly song.”
“Tell me,” I insisted, grateful she was even thinking about music since I hadn’t seen her do anything with it in forever.
Her cheeks darkened as she turned around and slid a plate of alfredo in front of me.
Hell, that smells amazing.
She bit her bottom lip nervously. “Um, the song is called Daddy’s Got Issues.”
I raised my brows at her. “Really? I’d like to hear it. Sing it for me.”
She shook her head quickly, her curls bouncing.
“No. Um, it’s just for fun.” Her phone buzzed, and she picked it up. A smile spread across her lips before she quickly typed a reply.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. She’d been so happy since getting her job. I couldn’t shake the thought that maybe she’d met someone and was starting a relationship. I knew the guys didn’t have her number. Ryder, Trent, me, Jamie, and her parents. That was it.
I stuffed a forkful of food into my mouth and moaned softly. Damn, she could cook.
“Good?” She looked at me eagerly.
