by K. G. Reuss
“If it’s a boy, maybe we could name him after Ethan. I always liked that name, and he deserves the honor since he nearly died trying to save you. It would make for a strong middle name.” I paused and let out a breath. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad. I’m so scared, Rosalie. What if I’m a terrible father? I don’t exactly have anything to model it after. My old man has always been too busy for me. I-I don’t want to disappoint you more.” My voice cracked.
Fuck.
I drew in another deep breath to compose myself. This time, I shifted so I could be closer, my head near her abdomen, and spoke, “Little blossom, it’s me. Y-your dad. I’m here. I love you so much. I promise when you’re born, I’ll do my best to keep you safe. Mommy too. I’ll teach you how to ride a bike. I’ll build you a treehouse. We can spend all of December searching for the perfect gift for Mommy because when she smiles, it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. We’ll jump in mud puddles together. I’ll make you blanket forts and teach you so many things,” my voice shook. “I can’t wait to meet you.”
I rested my head against Rosalie’s hand and sniffled. I’d been trying to keep my shit together, but I had a lot on my mind. My tears dampened her skin.
“Wake up, Rosebud. Please. I need you.” I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I had to get my shit together. At this point, I was weaker than everyone, wallowing in my own shit. Guilt was a bitch. I never should’ve left her.
“I’m so sorry. I’d go back in time and fix it all if I could. Believe me. Nothing will ever harm you again. We have a plan. It’s a good one, baby.” I let out a sigh as I stared at her. So much anger coursed through my body. So much regret over walking out on her when she told me she was pregnant. If she ever forgave me, it would be a miracle.
Someone cleared their throat from behind me, and I looked over to see the guys. I hadn’t heard them come in.
“Sorry,” I muttered, wiping quickly at my eyes. I was sure they hadn’t seen the tears. I wasn’t a crier, but these past few weeks had taken their toll on me.
“Man, don’t apologize,” Fox said, moving to my side and looking down at Rosalie. He rested his hand on my shoulder. “We’ve all done a fair bit of begging.”
I nodded, my throat tight as I put the lid back on the onesie box and placed it on her bedside table next to the rose. “How’s Ethan?”
“He’s good. He twitches his fingers when we talk to him.” Enzo moved deeper into the room until he was on Rosalie’s other side. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
“Good. I owe him so much.” I sat back and rubbed my eyes. “I should probably buy him a fucking fruit basket. You guys know how he loves fruit.”
The guys chuckled.
“I was thinking we could plan a weekend away once everyone is back on their feet,” Fox said, clearing his throat. “A getaway where we can just relax. Some place with a view and a hot tub.”
“I’m down with that. I need to get away from this shit hole,” I grunted, hating I’d go home later and lie in bed, hearing Ian’s ugly words on repeat in my head. Then I’d feel the crack of his neck reverberating through my body. The hatred would boil inside of me. The pain over walking out on Rosalie would finish off what was left of me.
Fox and Enzo both pulled up chairs and sat down.
“Have the Bishops said anything about where Rosalie will go once the hospital releases her?” I asked, glancing at Fox, who had the inside track on that shit show.
He blew out a breath and settled back in his seat, his blue eyes locked on Rosalie. “I don’t know. It seems like they want her home. Guess her nearly dying changed her dad’s mind.”
I ground my teeth and shook my head. My anger was so close to the surface nowadays it took all I had to control myself. My legs bounced. I ran my hands along my thighs and hauled in an even breath.
Fuck her dad. He and I would have our moment.
“Ethan’s place would be the next choice, but considering what happened there, I can’t imagine that being good for either of them.” Enzo sat forward, his dark eyes sliding from Fox to me. “So, I’m thinking my place.”
“Your place?” I raised a brow at him, intrigued at his idea. My plan was simply to kidnap her on her release and drive anywhere she wanted to go. No place would be too far.
“Yeah. We have the guest house. It has two bedrooms, not that they’d need it. It’s safe there. Shit can’t happen with all the security my father has in place, plus the community is gated. And,” Enzo rushed on, glancing between me and Fox again, “we can be there with them. Or at least I’ll be able to.”
Fox snorted and shook his head. “I’m not letting her out of my sight. Wherever she goes, I go.”
“Same,” I said, nodding.
“Fine. I’ll order a big fucking bed. Alaskan king sound big enough for you assholes?” Enzo lifted a dark brow at us, a tiny smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
“I don’t know if your fucking ego can fit into it. Better get two,” I quipped back, knowing it would get a rise out of him.
His smirk turned into a wide grin, his dark eyes dancing with mirth. “It’s the size of my cock we should be worried about. Not my ego.”
Fox chuckled as I shook my head.
“You think it’s all good now but wait until you wake up spooning me.” I waggled my brows at Enzo who snorted.
“Whatever, you fucking jackass. Don’t act like you wouldn’t snuggle into my arms.”
“You’re both getting weird.” Fox looked between us.
“What’s wrong, Foxy? You want to get spooned?” I turned my attention to him.
“Let’s get one thing straight. I do the spooning, and it won’t be with either of you pricks. It’s Rosalie I want. You two weirdos can do whatever it is you do when the rest of us aren’t around.”
Enzo let out a loud laugh. “Cole fucking wishes.”
I shrugged, enjoying the banter. It felt good to laugh again.
Enzo smirked and shook his head at me before he spoke. “All joking aside, are you guys down for this? I’ll set it up if you are.”
I glanced at Fox whose attention was on Rosalie. “I already said my piece. I go where she goes if she’ll still have me.”
“Same,” I murmured, reaching out and gently resting my hand on her abdomen. “But we need to find out what she wants. We saw her answer in the notebook, but that doesn’t mean much after what’s happened. I’m sure if her old man is back in this shit, he’s going to want a say too.”
“Rosalie is an adult. She can decide what she wants. And if she can’t, I’ll decide for her and her old man,” Enzo said darkly.
“He’s a prick,” I growled.
I’d only seen him at the hospital. He never tried speaking to any of us except Fox, but I’d seen the way he’d looked at me and Enzo, disgust on his face. I bet he thought about all the dirty things we’d done to defile his daughter. The moment I could say something to him, I would.
I hoped his thoughts drove him fucking nuts at night. He’d earned my hatred the moment Rosalie cried for help. There wasn’t much in the world that would ever change those feelings.
Eight
Fox
“How was everything?” Dad asked as I stepped into the living room and tossed my jacket on the coat rack.
“Better. At least I’m hoping it is. Ethan’s breathing is better. The doctors ran some tests today to see how he’d do with breathing on his own. It went well, so they’re going to try to take him off the machines tomorrow morning. I want to be there for it.”
I followed Dad into the kitchen and watched as he grabbed two plates from the cabinet. He looked tired. He spent a lot of time working. It got worse after Mom died. I figured it was his way of dealing with shit. Plus being home reminded him too much of what we’d lost. He was a good father, but I missed him.
“I ordered pizza. It needs to be reheated.” He dug around in the fridge before pulling out a large pie with the works.
I set the o
ven for him and we each got a soda.
“How’s Rosalie?”
“She’s. . . fucked up,” I muttered, sighing heavily. “She’s the one I’m really worried about. They’re going to see if she can make it through the breathing test tomorrow. If she does well, they’ll see about getting her off the machines. Her friend Jamie texted me earlier to tell me she was sure Rosie tried to open her eyes when she stopped by at lunch. I haven’t seen anything like that though.”
Dad nodded. “I’m sorry, Son. She’s a good girl. She’s strong. She’ll make it through. She’s made it this far.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m scared.”
“I know,” he murmured. “I can’t make that feeling go away. I wish I could. I wish I could take it all away.”
“I know.”
“How was the funeral?” He didn’t meet my gaze, busying himself with his soda.
“I hated every moment of it. It was nice to know the bastard was buried though.” I paused before continuing, “Daniel Hall got in my face. H-He said some nasty shit about Mom.”
Dad’s piercing blue eyes met mine. “What did he say?”
I shook my head, not wanting to divulge the information. I’d already said more than I should have. “Just that he doesn’t regret it.”
Dad’s hands shook. “He will. Someday, he will.”
“I hope so, but even if he doesn’t, he’ll live knowing he lost out too.”
Dad studied me for a moment. “That kid didn’t die in that accident, Fox. I’m not stupid.”
I stared back at him wordlessly.
“For what it’s worth, I’d have done the same.” He took a sip of his drink.
“I didn’t want it to come to that. I really didn’t. I really hoped he’d make the right choices. I-I hoped he’d changed.”
“You’re like your mom. Always kind and compassionate. Times changed us all, but deep down inside, you’re the same sweet kid you’ve always been. Don’t you dare regret taking out the trash, Fox. He hurt Rosalie. He hurt Ethan. He hurt so many more. The kid was going down a path that led him to that moment out there on the highway. That’s not on you. Don’t ever think it is.”
I nodded, my throat tight.
When Dad’s arms opened, I stepped into them and let him hug me. It had been so long since he had. It felt good.
“I’m proud of you, Fox. Your mom would be too,” he said thickly as he pulled away.
“I hope so.”
“She is. I know she is.” He smiled sadly. “I miss her.”
“Me too,” I whispered. I pulled out a stool and took a seat.
“Rosalie is a lot like your mother. Strong. Beautiful. Fierce. You made a good choice with her. I’m glad you found your way back to each other. Your mom always thought you’d run off and marry her. She loved Rosalie so much.”
I smiled. “Honestly, Dad, I think I’m going to. I’m so in love with her.”
He grinned back at me. “I bet she’ll say yes.”
I hesitated for a moment, watching as Dad turned and pulled the pizza out of the oven. I hadn’t told him about our unique relationship. Honestly, I had no idea how he’d take it.
“Dad?” I cleared my throat.
He slid two pieces of pizza onto my plate and dished out his own.
“Yeah?” He settled at the stool beside me.
I turned and looked him. “I have to tell you something.”
The slice of pizza that had been halfway to his mouth was placed back on his plate. “OK.”
“You’re probably not going to understand it—”
“Just tell me.”
I blew out a breath. “I-I’m in a relationship with more than Rosalie.”
He lifted his eyebrows at me, confusion marring his face. He pushed his dark hair away from his face, the fine lines around his blue eyes crinkling as he considered what he was going to say to me.
“Don’t cheat, Fox—”
“I’m not. It’s not like that. Uh, shit,” I muttered, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. “Fuck. Dad, I-I’m in a relationship with, uh, Cole, Enzo, and Ethan too.”
His eyebrows shot higher on his forehead as he gaped at me. “Uh. . . what? Y-You’re gay? Bi-sexual? Fox, I—”
“Let me explain.” I licked my lips. “We’re all in love with Rosalie. We all want to be with her. So we’re going to be. W-we have been.”
“So Rosalie and you four?” He frowned. “And you’re all OK with it?”
I nodded.
“You’re all just. . . together?”
I nodded again.
He shook his head and leaned against his elbows on the table after pushing his food away. I watched, wondering if he would kick my ass out for being too fucking messed up.
“Are you. . . bi-sexual?”
“No. I’m not attracted to guys. But these guys… they’re different. They’re my best friends. I love them. I don’t want us ever to be apart. It’s not like we’re all with one another. We’re with Rosalie. But we’re all with each other. If that makes sense.”
Dad blew out a breath and slid his plate back. “Well, Son, if you’re happy, then I’m happy. I say if you’re lucky enough to find love, then hold onto it. Even if it is a harem or whatever you kids call this sort of thing. All I know is I love you, and your happiness means more to me than anything.”
“Really?” I hadn’t expected that response from him. I stared at him wide-eyed.
He grinned at me and took a bite of his pizza. “Really. I don’t need more details than that. Now eat. Your pizza’s getting cold.”
I grabbed my slice, smiling. At least telling him was out of the way. Not being able to talk to him and let him know what was going on had been killing me inside. I wanted him to accept it. Now that he had, it was just one more thing I didn’t have to worry about.
“I really am proud of the man you’re becoming,” Dad repeated softly, biting into his pizza again. “Mom is too. I know it.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I smiled and chewed my dinner.
He didn’t seem the least bit fazed by the news now. In fact, talk swung to inviting everyone over for a bar-b-que once Rosie and Ethan were back on their feet.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him about moving out to be with Rosalie. Easing him in seemed kinder, considering the bomb I’d just dropped on him. Instead, I just wanted to enjoy the evening with him.
“Want to watch the game? I used the DVR.” He put another slice of pizza on his plate and grabbed his soda.
“Hell, yeah.” I followed him into the living room and took a seat on the couch as he sank into his recliner and turned on the game.
Once Rosie and Ethan were back, life might not be so damn bad. I just had to figure out the whole Juliet thing.
My heart sank as I stared at the screen.
As much as I hated to admit it, I might just have to let Enzo and Cole handle things.
Nine
Enzo
“Come.” Dad stepped into his office.
Emilio and I followed him inside and took seats in front of his desk. Dad went to the small bar, grabbed three glasses, and returned, pouring us each a drink.
“What’s going on?” I asked, lifting the glass to my lips and taking a deep sip. Butterflies soared to life in my chest. Drinking in my father’s office meant he had something big to tell me. And by something big, it meant I’d be doing some elbow work.
“In light of the information you’ve provided me, Lorenzo, I think I may have a gift for you.” Father took his seat behind the desk and sipped his scotch before continuing,. “You have some petty blackmail bullshit going on, and I didn’t want to involve myself in it. However, something of a miracle has fallen into my lap.”
“Really?” I placed my empty glass on his desk.
He sat forward and refilled it before looking to Emilio. “Tell him, Emilio.”
I picked up my now full glass and looked to my father’s righthand man. Tall, dark, lethal. That was Emilio. He smiled at me.
“Melvin Croft. That name mean anything to you?”
“Juliet’s father,” I answered, shifting in my seat. Where the hell were they going with this?
“Correct. It seems he’s been playing a dangerous game as well. You know, the kind where there are no survivors?” He lifted a dark brow at me as he tipped his own glass against his lips and drank.
“I’m listening.”
Father leaned forward, lacing his fingers together on the desk. “He owes me a great deal of money. He’s been getting loans to cover his gambling expenses. He’s bankrupted his family.” Father leveled his gaze on me. “I don’t like when I’m owed things, Lorenzo.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Your father discussed it with me, and I’ve agreed,” Emilio said with a shrug. “It’s completely in your hands right now. Whatever decision you make, we’ll follow.”
“You’re testing me.” It wasn’t a question. I knew what it was. “Again, what do you need me to do?”
“We need him to pay. How do we get blood from a rock?” Father surveyed me.
“From the child with the pet rock,” I said gruffly.
“Exactly. We’re allowing him to live by your will alone. I feel like you might have a better idea, given the current circumstances.” Father gave me a Cheshire grin.
I nodded. “You want me to take down his daughter.”
“We want you to decide what you want to do. We’ll give you plenty of time to think it over. Melvin isn’t going anywhere. We’re giving him what he needs right now and will continue to do so until you’ve decided his fate. Make sure whatever you decide—his death or…others—is a choice you can live with. Once you command it, it cannot be undone.” Father’s dark eyes flashed, letting me know he meant absolute business and anything I did would be final.
“I understand.”
“Can you handle this. . . gift?” Father cocked his head at me.
“I can, Father.”
“Good.” He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a wrapped box and pushed it toward me.