Page 244 of When We Fall: Part Two
“He told you?”
Ryder grabbed my suitcases and walked me to my car.
“He tells me everything, Red,” he said.
I unlocked my doors, and he loaded my suitcases into the trunk before closing it.
“Listen, he’s too morally fucking white, Rosalie. It’s a curse, I swear, but he cares about you.”
“I know. He has a commitment he needs to follow through on. I admire that about him. He’s a good guy. I-I want him to feel good about his choices. And honestly, Bianca is a sweet girl. He’ssaving her and the babies. I want that. I do. I will step aside and let that happen because it’s what’s right. I-I’m not upset.”
“Come here.” He sighed and wrapped me in a tight hug. “He’s going to get his shit sorted, and I know he will come for you. He’s going to be going nuts checking in on you all the time.”
“I honestly don’t want him to. If our paths are meant to cross, they will. If it’s meant to be, it will be. Until then, I need to go out and experience life.”
“You’re such a brave girl,” Ryder said, kissing the top of my head. “I admire the shit out of you.”
I laughed softly at that as I pulled away. “Stay out of trouble.”
“You know I won’t.”
“I know.” I opened my car door and paused. “Watch over him, OK? Let him know I’m going to be fine. He doesn’t need to check in on me. I’m going to have some fun. Maybe move to Iowa or something.”
“Why the fuck would anyone go to Iowa?” He wrinkled his nose. “It’s flat and filled with corn.”
“Heard they have exciting summer weather,” I said.
He chuckled. “Don’t go to Iowa. Stay. You can still live here. I know it’ll be hard to see him right away. I’ll keep him busy and tell him to chill.”
“Thank you,” I said, really meaning it. I needed to be able to breathe on my own.
“Anything for you, Red.” He backed away.
“Oh! Wait.” I reached into my purse and pulled out an envelope filled with cash. “Give this to him. I forgot. Tell him it’s for helping me through all of this and being such a good friend to Fox.”
Ryder took the envelope from me and raised a brow, but he didn’t argue. He only nodded as I got into my car and started the engine.
Here was to a new beginning.
Or to an ending.
I wasn’t sure which, but I knew I’d figure it out.
SEVENTY-SIX
ENZO
“Daddy’s dead,” Celeste sobbed into my chest. “T-They said that’s why he wasn’t answering! They think he had a heart attack a-after our wedding!”
“It’ll be OK,” I said, continuing to play the part. “I’m sure he died happy.”
She sobbed loudly. Inconsolable, she went to her ass on the couch. I didn’t want to deal with this shit.
I snapped my fingers, and a maid rushed in to deal with her.
“Enzo!” She cried out for me.
“I need to handle business,” I said. “Your dad would have wanted me to.”
