Page 227 of When We Fall: Part One
“Ah.” Matteo clapped. “Rosalie. This is Vanessa. She’s our resident nail technician.”
“You have an in-house nail tech?” Rosalie asked, glancing at Vanessa, who couldn’t be much older than me.
“No.” Matteo laughed and waved her off. “But yes. She works for me at the palace. She handles all the girls there. I had Alessio summon her to do your nails.”
“Oh.” Rosalie flushed. “That’s not necessary. I don’t want to trouble anyone. I-I didn’t even bring my wallet?—”
“It is my treat,bel fiore.It requires nothing on your part but to tell Vanessa what you’d like so she can make it happen. She’s quite talented.”
Vanessa offered her a big smile at the compliment from Matteo.
Rosalie glanced at me with uncertainty in her eyes.
“Go,” I urged, giving her a reassuring smile. “We have dinner tonight. I think you’ll like having your nails done.”
“I just… how do I explain it to the guys when they ask?” She chewed her bottom lip nervously and shot a look at Matteo, who watched with an impassive expression.
“Tell them the truth,” Matteo said. “And if they have an issue with it, they can take it up with me.”
“I’ll handle it, LeeLee,” I assured her, knowing she’d not tell them it was a gift from Matteo. I’d say I got them done for her.
She nodded and backed away, going with Vanessa into the house. Vanessa was already talking a mile a minute. Rosalie would have fun. I knew she would. Matteo nodded for Alessio to follow them. He did so without a word. I knew it was so I could relax with her being out of sight.
“Now. Let’s talk,” Matteo said.
“Did you plan to have her nails done?” I asked.
“No. It worked out well, though. She’s a beautiful woman, Alessandro. She should be taken care of in that manner.”
“She’s not my girl, Father. If she were, she’d want for nothing. As it stands, she tries to fight me on everything I want to do for her.”
He waved me off. “She will be yours.”
I scoffed but didn’t push it. “What do we need to talk about?”
“How is Tomasso? He rarely visits.”
“He’s been busy staying out of sight,” I said. “He goes out only when Hail summons him. Of course, with recent events, that might not happen anymore.”
Matteo nodded. “He has a room here if he wants it. So do you. You’re my boys. You’ll always have a home with me.”
I smiled at him. “Thank you. I appreciate that. Really.”
“Good.” He returned my smile, looking the most relaxed I’d ever seen him. “How is Constantino?”
I sighed and told him how he had been lately. Matteo said nothing, but he seemed like he expected that.
“Does this need to happen? His death? It’s going to kill Rosalie. I-I’ll fucking die too if something happens to her?—”
“Rest assured, Rosalie will not come to harm,” he said fiercely. “I lost the love of my life, and I’ll be damned if my son loses his. I won’t let that happen. I promise to give you the same world I give to her.”
“I don’t want that,” I said softly. “She loves Fox. I don’t want him taken from her. I wouldn’t even be second best when compared to the horsemen. So please, Father. Reconsider this. I’m begging you.”
He studied me for a moment before nodding. “I will consider it.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you.”
The conversation was easier after that. He asked about classes. More about the horsemen. The kings. Trent. Rosalie. Bianca. I told him what I knew. Within the hour, we were both smiling. I enjoyed the time I spent with him. Even Klaus managed to chuckle before looking away and righting his face.
