Page 31 of When We Fall: Part Two
Dad was quiet for a moment. “Fox, you can’t let her throw this away. She deserves to get out and have a life.”
“I know. I try, she’s just… Rosie.”
“Headstrong. Sweet. Loving. I get it.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
We were both quiet for a moment.
“Can I ask you something?” I finally said.
“Of course.”
“What was Matteo like when you were growing up?”
He was quiet again for a long beat. “Why?”
“Listen, I’ve met with him?—”
“Stay away from Matteo, Fox,” he warned, his voice lowering. “He plays a good game. Don’t get caught up in anything he says. It’s bad enough you’re dealing with Lorenzo’s bullshit.”
“I know. It’s just, would you say he can be trustworthy?”
He sighed. “What has he offered you?”
“Nothing,” I mumbled. “It’s just… Rosie likes him.”
“She likes him? How the hell does she know him?”
I launched into the story of Anson and her meeting with him, finishing after telling him everything except about the coin.
He blew out a breath. “I would assume that he treats Rosalie so well because she’s a sweet girl. I do not know my brother anymore. He was young when I left, but I do know his reputation. He used to be a good guy. Kind, caring, no-nonsense, but things change. Watch her, Fox. Keep her safe. If you can get her and you out, do it. Get the hell out of there and live. You’re going places, son. I don’t want you to stall out and get trapped. It’s OK to walk away.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I-I want to leave. I want to take Rosalie and give her everything she’s always wanted. But I also love the guys. They’re my brothers. I-I don’t want this life, though. I’m so fucked, Dad. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
“Fox, I raised you to be strong. To not back down. To take what’s yours. Rosalie has always been yours. You know that, right?”
“I know,” I choked out. “I love her more than anything. I-I even bought her an engagement ring, but Enzo had to ask her because of his father’s stupid traditions. I wanted to keep us together, so I said OK. I regret it. Fuck, I regret it. It’s killing me to be stuck in this nightmare. It’s made worse by my constant worrying about her safety. She’s so damn stubborn and won’t listen. Short of dying, I don’t know what to do to get her to understand it’s dangerous to keep staying. Especially right now.”
“Fox, take your woman and run with her. Don’t look back. Don’t let her marry Enzo.”
I licked my lips. “How? He’d not let us go. None of them would.”
“Then you’re going to have to get creative. If you love her, make the sacrifice.”
I frowned. “OK. I’ll try to get it sorted. If I can’t, will you be coming to the engagement party?”
“No. Being around that life doesn’t interest me. I’d prefer it if you didn’t go either. It’s a hotbed for targets. Lorenzo De Luca, his men, his father’s men, his father, all of you… In the same place? Fox, it’s not a good idea.”
“I know, but Enzo wants to give this to Rosie.”
“If you don’t get it sorted before then, make sure you’re carrying. Get her out if it goes south. Don’t hesitate.”
“I will,” I said thickly.
We were both quiet again.
“We should get dinner sometime. I’ll be in town in a few weeks. Maybe I’ll have an idea of what to do by then.”
