Page 108 of Into the Fire

“Did you not tell the guys we were coming here?”

She frowned. “I did. I sent Enzo a text when we got here.”

“Check your phone.”

She pulled her phone out, and a stricken look crossed her pretty face.

“My message didn’t send.” Her face paled. “He’s mad, isn’t he?”

I nodded grimly. “Furious. He wants me to take you home right now.”

She breathed in deeply and straightened her back. “I’ll call.”

“LeeLee—”

“I’ll call,” she repeated, pulling away from me and going to the door. Sighing, I followed her, knowing this wasn’t going to end well at all.

THIRTY-FOUR

ROSALIE

Iwas furious as I went outside to make the call, Anson coming out behind me. I knew he was there to protect me while I phoned home. He moved to the side of the building and gave me some privacy.

Tonight had been an incredible night. We’d sung. Laughed. Had drinks. Ate pizza and bar food. I was having an amazing time. All I wanted to do was have some space to get out of my head for a little bit. Knowing what I knew about how the kings’ poor girl had perished had me on edge. Maybe I was being a little reckless by not wanting to go home, but damn. I wanted to be able to live this way before it was all taken away.

“Rosalie,” Enzo’s gruff voice greeted me. “Are you on the way home—”

“I’m not coming home,” I said evenly. “I’m out celebrating with my team. We just ordered more sliders, and I’m going to sing with the girls.”

“I want you home. Now.”

“You’re not my father, Enzo. And if you think for one second that I’m going to just bend over and take it once I marry you, you’ve got another thing coming,” I said fiercely into the phone.

“There’s a lot of bad shit happening out there. My job is to make sure you’re safe—”

“Your job is to love me and treat me like I’m your equal, not your child.”

“It’s hard when you’re not listening! How do you want me to treat you, Rosalie? Because the way you’re acting right now isn’t sayingadultto me.”

I ground my teeth. “I’m staying out. If you even think about showing up here and ruining my evening. . .”

“What?” he asked in a soft, silky voice. “What will you do?”

When I didn’t answer, he continued.

“You’ll do nothing. You know why, Rosalie? Because you fucking belong to me. You’re mine. You’re always going to be mine. You can throw a fit all you want, but I’m just trying to make sure some fucking dirtbag doesn’t hurt you.”

“No one is going to hurt me. I’m in a public space with someone who can protect me.”

Enzo let out an audible deep breath. I could already picture his face. Stone-like. Angry. Pursed lips. Shaky hands because he was going to lose it.

“Eight minutes, Sunshine. You’re wasting time. If you’re not here, I’ll come there. Believe me when I say you don’t want that to happen.”

“You know what?” I swallowed hard, anger coursing through me. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m not coming home tonight. If you show up here, I’ll leave, and you won’t find me until I’m ready to be found. That’s final.” I ended the call and stared up at the night sky, breathing hard. I was so furious.

One part of me wanted to give in and just go home. Another, much bigger, part of me was so tired of just going to my knees and following orders and rules all the time. I wanted to just live. Enjoy my college experience. Make friends. Laugh. Have fun.

“You OK?” Anson asked softly, coming to stand next to me.

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