Page 110 of Into the Fire

I looked to Cole.

He said nothing. Instead, he dropped the gun he was holding back onto the table and stormed away.

I sighed. It was better than him going out with guns blazing.

“I’ll update you as soon as I get to her,” I said, backing away.

Enzo nodded, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“Just. . . keep her safe, Fox. I-I worry.” The pain in his voice made my chest hurt.

I grabbed my keys before leaving the house.

I hoped my charm could bring her back tonight. If not, I’d do whatever I could to make sure she wasn’t gone for two nights.

I stoodin the back of the bar, watching Rosalie belt out the lyrics to song after song, the bar cheering her on. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, her green eyes sparkling.

But there was sadness there too. I knew my girl well enough to know when she was hurting.

I kept to the back, though, and hadn’t approached her. I simply watched her with Anson and her friends.

She laughed. She drank. She looked happy, mostly. Except for those moments where her smile would wobble or when she thought no one was looking. Her smile would crack, and she’d look down at her phone, her bottom lip wobbling.

Anson leaned in and said something to her. She shook her head at him before drinking more alcohol. He sighed and shook his head, talking to her some more. From my angle, it looked like he was trying to get her to go.

At least he had that going for him. It helped to see that this wasn’t his doing. She really was pissed off.

It was when she started swaying in her seat that I finally made my way over to them. Anson had gotten up and went into the bathroom. Her friends were singing again. Maybe a drunk and alone Rosie would be more pliable.

I slid in beside her when the seat emptied and wound my arm around her waist. She hadn’t even noticed me. The moment I had her against me, she came to and stared into my eyes.

“Foxy,” she mumbled drunkenly.

“Rosie,” I answered softly.

“Don’t hurt Ani. He tried t-to make me go. But I don’t want to go.” She hiccuped and gave me a glassy-eyed stare.

“I’m not going to hurt anyone. I was worried about you. That’s all. I’m just here to make sure you’re OK.”

“I’m so mad,” she said.

Anson returned moments later and eyed me.

“I let her decide,” he said evenly. “So be pissed if you want, but this is how it is when she’s with me.”

“I appreciate that,” I answered honestly. “I want her to be happy.”

He nodded and sat back in his seat, the tension visibly leaving his body.

“Did you bring the other guys?”

“No. It’s just me tonight.”

“Good,” he muttered, slamming back another drink.

“I’m not going home, Foxy. I don’t care what you say—” Rosalie started again. “I’m going to be a defiant little asshole tonight.”

I chuckled at her. “That’s fine, but aren’t you tired?”

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