Page 43 of When We Fall: Part Two
“I, uh, I’ve been looking into things,” I said.
“What things?”
“On how we can all legally marry Rosalie.”
He glanced at me, surprise on his face. “How?”
“There’s this place overseas. It’s legal there. I thought maybe we could do it after her and I do it here. I, um, well, I booked us for two weeks on the island there for next summer. I thought we could all do it then. I mean, if you guys want to. I’m sure Cole and E are down for it.”
Fox pulled off the street and parked along a curb.
“What are we doing?” I looked around.
“Are you serious?” Fox asked, looking over at me.
I nodded. “I am. I know I’ve monopolized her, and it was shitty of me to take her away from everyone. Especially you,” I whispered. “It was selfish of me. I-I was jealous of what you have with her.” I breathed out as his blue eyes stayed fixed on me. “Fuck, Fox. I’m still jealous. You have with her what I’m desperate to have with her. I love her so goddamn much. I want the world for us. I know I’m fucking shit up, but I’m trying so hard to be a good man for her. To prove to her that I’m worth it, too.”
“Why do you think you’re not worth it?”
I shrugged and looked out the window. “Come on, Fox. I’m not you. You’ve always been the best at everything. Even loving Rosalie. We all know it. I guess when my dad told me to marry, I seized my chance to have her in a way you didn’t. I’m not proud of it, but I also knew it was the only way to keep us together. Deep down, I was grateful for this tradition.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I’ve been acting like it’s not a big deal, but I know it is. It’s something I want with you guys. We’re equals. I know I wouldn’t be where I am without any of you. This is my way of thanking you. Of really keeping us together.”
Fox visibly swallowed as he stared at me, his blue eyes shining with unshed tears.
I blew out a breath. “So I guess this is me asking if you’ll marry my wife.”
“Yeah, man. Yeah. I will.” He wiped quickly at his cheeks.
“Damnit, Constantino. You’re going to make me fucking cry too,” I choked out, wiping quickly at my eyes.
He leaned over and hugged me. I squeezed him back, glad this seemed to have helped. I was going to keep it a secret and tell the guys the day of the wedding before Rosalie walked down the aisle, but this seemed like a better time. I’d wait to tell the guys. Fox needed this right now.
“Thank you,” Fox said thickly. “Enzo. You have no idea what this means to me.”
“You’re welcome,” I replied.
He wiped at his eyes again and genuinely smiled for the first time in weeks. One that reached his eyes.
“Let’s go play some football,” I said, clapping him on the shoulder.
“Hell yeah.” His grin widened, and he pulled the Jeep back onto the street.
Hell yeah was right. Things were looking up.
“Boss,there is a group of guys here to see you,” Jake, one of my guys, said through the phone as I sat in my office the following afternoon. Everything had been decent with Fox since last night. He seemed a hell of a lot happier, and for that, I was ecstatic. It was almost like he’d returned to us.
“Check them, and then send them in.”
“You got it.” The line disconnected, and I waited at my desk for them. Several long moments later, there was a soft knock on my door before Jake poked his head in.
“Lorenzo,” he greeted me.
I nodded and gestured for him to bring the visitors in. I didn’t typically allow people in the home, especially unannounced visitors, but something about this just felt different. I couldn’t explain it.
Four men came into my space. Young. Around my age. I stood and watched as they approached. They looked like regular guys off the street. Nothing about them said money or status.
Jake stayed at the edge of the room for a moment before E came in and stood behind me as I settled in my chair behind my desk.
“Sit,” I said, gesturing to the seats in front of me.
