Page 109 of Into the Fire

Silently, I shook my head, a tear working its way down my cheek.

“I’ll take you home, LeeLee. I don’t want there to be problems. We can arrange to do this again some other time—”

I shook my head and exhaled. “No. I’m tired of it. I’m staying. If they show up, we’ll leave. I meant what I said.” I turned toward him, my heart hammering hard. I was going to end up paying the price for telling Enzo no and that I wasn’t coming home. “Can-can I stay with you tonight?”

“Of course you can.” He reached out and thumbed a tear off my cheek. “I just don’t want you having problems because of this.”

“Or do you mean you don’t want problems because of this?” I reached for his face.

His lips twitched into the smallest of smiles. “LeeLee, you’re such a troublemaker. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love that you’re standing up for yourself. I also get where Enzo and the guys are coming from.”

I winced. “Should I just go home?”

“You should do what makes you happy. If it’s going home, I’ll take you. If it’s staying here, I’m at your side. You choose.”

I studied him for a moment. His blue eyes were so. . . peaceful. There was no turmoil there. He was just. . . Ani. He was my peace.

“I want to stay,” I murmured.

He nodded and backed away before offering me his hand. “OK. We’ll stay.”

I slipped my palm against his and let him lead me back into the bar, my heart heavy, but my mind made up.

I wasn’t going home.

THIRTY-FIVE

FOX

Enzo was irate.

Cole had loaded his gun and was tucking a second one into his jacket.

E rubbed his eyes and groaned.

“We’re not doing this,” I said firmly.

“Don’t worry, Fox. I’m doing this. Not you,” Cole grunted, grabbing another gun. I stepped forward and wrapped my hand around his, the gun in his hold.

“We’re not doing this.That’s final. She’s already upset. If we march in there and start threatening Anson, we’re going to have problems,” I said.

“I’m not going to have a damn thing but satisfaction,” Cole snarled. “Ass Hat is the one who will have a problem. I’m going to fucking kill him. I’m sick of this shit.”

“Acting like this is going to push her away,” E called out.“Everything will be ruined. Just. . .”

“Just what?” Cole demanded while Enzo paced, his anger radiating off him. “Let her stay out and defy us? Let Asshole win?”

“This isn’t an Anson thing,” I snapped at him. “This is a Rosalie thing. We were letting her out. We said if Anson waswith her. All of these things are happening. I know we’re all worried about the kings' situation, but fuck, E is right. We keep pushing, and we’re going to fuck everything up. Right now, she’s pissed off. You know how she gets when she’s mad. Do we really want a fucking week of the silent treatment? Of seeing her upset?” I looked among the guys.

A muscle thrummed along Cole’s jaw. E stared at the floor. And Enzo. He stopped pacing and scrubbed his hand down his face.

“She’s already going to do those things,” he said softly. “We may as well just meet it head-on.”

“No.” I released Cole’s hand, coming to a decision. “I’ll go to her. I’ll talk to her. Soften her up. If she wants to come home, I’ll bring her home. If she wants to stay somewhere, we will. I’ll be with her. I won’t let her make me leave.”

“I’m agreeable with that,” E said, looking to me.

Enzo sighed and looked up for a long moment before nodding. “Yeah. Fine. Go to her. Just keep me in the loop, OK?”

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