Page 158 of When We Fall: Part One
I clutched Rosalie’s hand, my leg bouncing. I didn’t want any fucking problems. Whatever Matteo had to say, I’d smooth over later. Right now wasn’t that time, though.
I listened as he spoke.
“I have your pretty little diamond here at my estate. She is safe. I will be more than willing to return her if Alessandro is agreeable. However, I will only release her if Fox is the one and only one to meet with me. Yes. Absolutely not, Mr. De Luca. Ialso don’t fuck around. If you step even one toe onto my curb, bad things will happen.Ti ucciderò senza esitazione e terrò la tua bella ragazza come mia. Capisci?”
There was a beat of silence.
Matteo let out a soft, dangerous laugh. “I have not yet begun to fuck your world, but press me on this, and I’ll show you who really runs this fucking city. Do not force my hand. Remember who holds the cards here. And the girl. Alessandro decides when she leaves. And when she does, I want Fox, and only Fox, to be the one to retrieve her. There is no negotiation.” He was quiet for a moment. “Good. Alessandro will be in touch.”
Matteo disconnected the call and looked down at Rosalie with a sad expression.
“I don’t want problems,” I said softly. “I clearly have enough of them.”
He rested his hand on my shoulder. “She is a beauty, Alessandro. If you want her, keep her. You can remain here under my protection. It is your choice.”
I stared at her battered face, my heart aching. “No. I will return her, but I’m going with her.”
“I expected as much,” he said, gently squeezing my shoulder. “This is a good thing to happen.”
“How?” I demanded, my hands trembling as I tried to control my anger.
“Not necessarily for her, but it will force Fox’s hand. He will give in and send her away now that he sees her harmed.”
“I don’t want that either,” I said thickly.
“It is the way of this world,” he murmured. “We all die for what we love eventually.”
I shook my head, my mind so full of shit I couldn’t even focus.
“He’s my friend. One of my best, honestly,” I whispered. “I don’t want harm to ever come to him. His death would causeRosalie inexplicable pain. I don’t want her to hurt.” My voice broke again, and I wiped at my eyes.
“A little pain is good for the soul. It puts our purpose into perspective.”
I ground my teeth but didn’t say anything. It wasn’t an argument I wanted to have right now. All I wanted to focus on was Rosalie. I’d deal with everything else once I knew she was awake and OK.
“I assume you’ll be spending the night?” Matteo asked.
“I’m not leaving her side.”
“Of course. Help yourself to anything you need. I will be nearby if you need anything past necessities.” He walked to the door. “Oh, and Alessandro?”
I looked over at him.
“I’m proud of you.” And with those words, he left the room, the door closing softly behind him.
I stared briefly at Rosalie before I toed off my shoes and slid into bed next to her. Carefully, I wound my arm around her waist and lay staring at her until I finally dozed off, my mind on everything LeeLee and all the ways I was going to make things right.
And the ways in which I’d torture the motherfucker who ordered the attack.
May God have mercy on his soul because I sure as fuck wouldn’t.
FIFTY-ONE
ROSALIE
Iwoke with a groan.
The first thought I had was that I was dead and this was hell.
