Page 6 of When We Fall: Part Two
I opened my mouth to snap at him, but he rushed on.
“I understand you’re not interested, but perhaps Cole? Ethan? Even Fox. My daughter needs a strong prospect. She was seeing the Seeley boy, but that didn’t work out. She’s a bit… hard to handle. It takes a special man to keep up with her, so it’s been a struggle to arrange a proper marriage.”
“I have no one who would want to marry your daughter,” I said firmly. “This isn’t open for debate. I’ve told you before, my men are off-limits. That won’t be changing.”
He nodded and licked his lips. “I must be frank with you. This world will tear your woman apart, Lorenzo. She is soft. Too sweet. Too innocent. Our world wasn’t built for women like her. Our world begs for a woman like her, only for it to be ripped away. If you love her the way you say you do, you’ll let that one go. She has wings you’ve clipped. She is meant to rule her empire, not hold your hand while you rule yours.” He sat back in his seat, studying me as I breathed in and out evenly. “You’d be wise to let her go before she’s taken from you.”
“Are you threatening me?” I asked in a low, dangerous voice.
“I’m not,” he replied softly. “I’m only telling you a truth that you seem too stubborn to want to listen to. She is meant to be free. You cannot clip the wings of beauty and talent and expect it to smile from its cage. Marry Celeste. She is strong. She knows what it takes to be at a man’s side. She is better suited for this life.” He got to his feet. “My offer for the marriage will continue to stand. I’m going to excuse myself. We’ll continue our weapons deal as promised, and maybe I’ll see you at your engagement party… if it still happens. Have a good night, Lorenzo. Consider my offer.” He turned and left, his men flanking him as he strode away.
I sighed and sat back in my seat, hating the prick even more. There was no way in hell I’d consider his offer. I hated Celeste more than I hated anything else in this world, and that was saying something.
Rosalie returned a moment later, my men taking up their spots again at a far-off table I’d reserved for them. I stood as she approached.
“Hey.” I took her hands in mine and kissed her cheek. “Want to get out of here?”
“Yes. After we finish that bottle of wine,” she said softly.
I chuckled. “I have a better idea.”
I snapped my fingers, and a waiter rushed over.
“I want three bottles of the wine to go and two glasses. Be quick about it. My girl wants to leave,” I said.
The man nodded. “Of course, Mr. De Luca.” He rushed off, and I turned back to Rosalie.
“I’m sorry for Vander Veer. He’s a prick.”
“It’s fine.” She nibbled her bottom lip for a moment. “He is a prick, but it seems like the world is filled with them.”
“It is,” I agreed. “But he had no right speaking the way he did. I’ve made my discontent known. All is well now, Sunshine.”
She offered me a quick smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Don’t be like that,” I murmured, brushing my knuckles along her jaw. “I love you.”
“Even if I’m just a commoner?”
“Especially if you’re a commoner. You’re my sunshine. Always and forever. Come on. Let’s go have an actual good time. Fuck this place.”
Her eyes sparkled, the life dancing back in them.
Thank fuck.I hated to see her sad or upset.
I took her hand and led her out, grabbing the wine along the way. My men followed us to my new Escalade, and I helped Rosalie inside before I got behind the wheel.
“Where are we going?” she asked as we drove away from the city, my men following behind.
I didn’t answer her. Instead, I made a call to Jake.
“Hang back. I’ll be a while.”
“You got it,” Jake replied before I hung up and took a left well outside city limits.
“Enzo?” Rosalie murmured as I drove the Escalade down a narrow road that led deep into the trees.
“Shh, baby. Trust me,” I said.
