by K. G. Reuss
“What’s this?” I glanced between him and Emilio, who simply studied me.
“Open it,” Father said.
I tore off the red and black paper and then opened the box.
A new Glock, complete with silencer and a box of bullets.
I swallowed and peered at my father.
“I want Cole, Fox, and Ethan included in this. I don’t care how you utilize your men, I only want to know that it was done. Emilio will oversee things. Take your time. I want to make sure you cover your bases, so I don’t have to.”
Carefully, I lifted the gun from the box and gazed down at the cool, dark metal.
Destiny stared back at me in all her deadly glory. I would be God, deciding who lived and who died.
“Thank you for the gift.” I chambered a bullet and smiled. This was exactly what I needed. “No one fucks with a De Luca.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Emilio tipped his tumbler back and finished off his scotch.
I placed the gun back in its box and polished off my drink. The warmth of the alcohol flooded my body.“We’ll go shooting soon. I know you’re damn good, Lorenzo, but being the best is important. Being clean is important.”
“I know, Father. I’m ready.”
He smiled at me, the darkness reaching his eyes. “My son, you were born ready.”
“Are we killing her tonight?” Cole asked as he held the new gun in his hands. He turned it over and then looked at me as we sat in my car outside his house.
“No. I’m not the sort of guy who runs around offing people. I want to wait to see what she does.”
“You’re kidding, right? You know what she’ll do. She’ll go right back to her same old shit, Enzo. Let’s just do it. We’ll take out her old man too as a little something extra for your dad.”
“That’s not how this works.” I took the gun from him and stowed it in the center console. “We kill what matters most to him, so he suffers. We both know that’s Juliet. Next would be Ella, his wife. But since Juliet is causing us some issues, it would seem she’d be the best target for our purposes. However, I’m judge and jury here and will have to live with the decision. I want to make sure I can.”
“It’s not so bad. Killing someone,” Cole said softly. “Especially if you’re doing it for someone you love.”
I reached out and gripped his hand. “If this happens—”
“I’ll do it, Enzo. You don’t even need to ask. The blood and burden can be mine.”
I surveyed him in the dim light. His usually bright blue eyes bore ugly dark circles beneath them. His blond hair looked like he’d been tugging on it in his frustration and anger. He was exhausted.
Gripping his shoulder, I leaned forward and rested my forehead against his.
“I’ll give you time to make the decision. I don’t need your answer tonight. Just think about it. OK?” I released his him and closed my eyes, my forehead still against his.
“Deal,” he said softly.
I tapped his cheek gently and moved back to my spot, staring out at the night.
“Are you going to ask Fox?”
“I don’t know… Fox needs to be with Rosalie. I almost think I should let him and Ethan take her away from us. We’re dangerous, Cole. Our lives are about to get labeled with a big fucking bright red check mark for fucked up. Do we really want to bring the people we love into that? My world is dark and dangerous. That means their world would be too.”
“Do you really want to let them go?” His voice shook.
“I want to save them,” I answered simply, resting my head back and peering over at him.
He nodded. “I do too. I’d rather let my garden go than have it endangered.”
I knew he was talking about Rosalie and the baby. Fox and I had overheard him telling her about his idea for baby names and how Rosalie and the baby were his little garden. My heart went out to him.
“But I want what I want, Enzo.” He pleaded with his big, blue eyes. “I want Rosalie tucked beneath me, her lips around your cock as I make love to her. I want her to stroke Fox and love Ethan. I want it all, man."
I smirked at him. “It’s been a long time since her lips were around my cock.”
“Lucky bastard. I never had the pleasure.”
“She’s incredible.”
“Then let’s not let this go. Let them decide what they want. If we’re all in, the four of us can protect her and the baby.”
I licked my lips. “Maybe we don’t have to tell her right now. We can take care of the notebook shit. We’ll let her get better before we push this shit on her. And we’ll let Ethan heal. God knows he’s going to probably have to go back to rehab after all the pain meds that have been pushed through his body.”
Cole breathed out. “I like that idea. You and me… We’ll handle everything. We’ll clear out the second notebook if shit gets bad.”
“Together?” I held my hand out to him.
He placed his in mine, his hold fierce.
“Always, brother.”
Ten
Cole
Today was the day. My boy Ethan would hopefully be coming off the ventilator and opening his damn eyes. Nerves had my guts in a vice, the prospect of things taking a turn for the worse making me sick with worry.
Today was also the day they planned to test Rosalie to see if she might be able to come off her machines.
“Take a hit.” I handed the joint over the front seat of Enzo’s Mercedes to Fox.
He took it and inhaled deeply. He looked like I did. Dark-rimmed blue eyes, hair a damn mess. The only difference between us was that I’d put on clothes without wrinkles in them.
But Fox? His torn jeans mimicked what Enzo wore, minus the designer label, and his black t-shirt wasn’t as snug as it usually was, making me think he’d just snatched it off his bedroom floor and decided to re-wear it for probably the third time this week. He had his leather jacket in place along with his dark beanie. His wrists were adorned with the leather bracelets he always wore.
I watched as he took a second drag before handing it back to me. I passed it to Enzo after my turn and watched as the Italian mob prince inhaled deeply. Enzo had his shit together. Unruffled. Unwavering. He was a force in his V-neck, white t-shirt. Black canvas moto jacket in place. Rings on his fingers. Leather bracelets on his wrists. His black hair was styled as perfectly as always.
“You’re a beautiful man, De Luca,” I said, watching as he blew out a puff of smoke.
He grinned at me. “Right back at you, Scott.”
“Speaking of being all girly and in touch with our feelings and shit,” Fox called out. “I told my dad about us and Rosalie.”
“Really? How’d that go?”
“Good.” Fox leaned forward and rested his arms on the tops of the front seat. “Great, actually. I thought he’d lose his shit. He actually seemed happy for me. For us.”
“Nice,” Enzo commented, taking another hit.
“So if I grab your ass in front of him, he won’t kick mine?”
Fox snorted. “Doubt it, but I’d really rather you keep the ass play to the bedroom.”
“You hear that, Enzo? Fox wants to play.” I grinned over at my friend.
Enzo handed me the joint and coughed through his laugh. “I don’t even know where we’re going with this.”
I shrugged and inhaled the weed, enjoying the feeling as it flowed through my body. Fuck, I needed the escape. “I’m good with whatever. I assume our dicks are going to touch at some point. Not that I’m too keen on that. I just figure it can’t be avoided.”
“I figure so too.” Fox sighed. “And I’m definitely not into any of you assholes that way. Even if I love you like brothers.”
“I love you too, man.”
“Same,” Enzo said. “We just gotta get Ethan up and around now.”
“Are you worried?” I peered over at Enzo, wondering if he’d show any signs of a chink in his well-placed armor. Nothing.
“I’m not. He’s in good hands. I was,
naturally. And yeah, I’m fucking nervous, but Ethan is strong. We’ve seen that over the years. I almost think the fucker might be invincible. Or is it immortal?”
“Immortal,” Fox supplied. “He’s been shot. He’s overdosed. He’s been beaten and left for dead multiple times. He’s gotta be on his last life by now.”
“Like a cat?” I laughed.
“Yeah, but he’s definitely not a pussy.” Enzo looked over at me and then back at Fox. “You fellas ready to get our boy back?”
“Hell, yeah,” I said as Fox nodded.
“Let’s do this shit. We can’t be the four horsemen if we’re down a man. Let’s get Ethan’s ass up.”
And with those words, we piled out of the car and strode toward the hospital.
“Robert. Janie.” Enzo reached out and clasped Robert’s hand before giving Janie a hug.
“Hey, guys,” Robert greeted us. They were gathered outside of Ethan’s room.
Ethan’s adoptive parents were younger than the rest of our parents by a few years. Robert and Janie were barely into their forties if memory served me right. Ethan told us the story of how Robert had been adopted too, so he’d wanted to give someone else a good life. As far as people went, Robert and Janie were good ones. They’d been through so much with Ethan, but they never gave up on him.
“Hey, Robert. How are you guys?” I asked as Janie reached for me.
She was a slender woman with auburn curls. Robert was lucky in the female department. We always used to tease Ethan about how hot his mom was. He’d always laugh and shake his head while warning us she was off limits.
“Nervous,” Janie said, breathing out and clutching her chest as she pulled away.
Robert’s arm was immediately around her. “It’ll be OK. Ethan’s strong. The doctors are optimistic.”
Janie gave us a wobbly smile. “How’s Rosalie? I tried talking to her father in the cafeteria yesterday, but he didn’t say much.”
“That’s because he’s a prick,” I said.
“Cole,” Fox warned softly.
I shrugged. It wasn’t a lie.
“She’s about the same as Ethan. They’re going to test her breathing today.” Fox shot me a look to keep my mouth shut.
Robert shook his head. “I hate that they’re struggling right now. This never should’ve happened. This is an absolute bunch of bullshit. That kid. . . Everything he did was to cause harm. He couldn’t just off himself. He had to bring Ethan and Rosalie along for the ride. I’m not sad the piece of shit is gone.”
“Robert,” Janie admonished, her cheeks red. “Not here.”
Robert glanced at Janie and then his gaze swiveled between me and Fox. “You boys did good.”
“What?” Fox asked.
Robert looked away and didn’t answer because the doctor came toward them.
“Robert. Janie,” Doctor Browning said with a nod of his head. “Friends.”
“Is it time?” Janie’s small body shook, and Robert tightened his hold on her.
“It is. Based on everything we’ve seen with Ethan, I’m very optimistic about today. What’s going to happen is my team and I are going to go in. His medications have been reduced already. I expect him to be coherent soon. As soon as he is, we’ll start the extubation process with him.”
“Can we go in?” Enzo asked, glancing at everyone.
“We don’t like to have people in the room with us while we do this part. As long as it goes well, we’ll be in and out in just a few moments. We want to make sure he’s comfortable before letting anyone else in. Perhaps you could go visit your friend down the hall or grab an early lunch in the cafeteria.”
“We’re not leaving,” Robert said immediately.
“I’m not either,” I grunted.
I knew Rosalie would understand. She’d want us to be with Ethan. The guys nodded their agreement.
“Well, in that case, why don’t you head down the hall and take a seat in the lounge. It could take us a bit, OK? We’ll come get you the moment we have him breathing on his own.”
We agreed, and Robert shook Doctor Browning’s hand before we made our way to the waiting room.
I froze in the doorway when I saw Rosalie’s parents sitting inside. I locked gazes with her father, the hatred sparking to life within me.
“Cole,” Fox called out.
“Come. Sit,” Enzo added.
Fuck that.
“I’m surprised you’re here,” I said loudly as I glared at her father. “Figured you would’ve pulled her plug and watched her and my baby die considering the shit you already put her through.”
John rose to his feet and approached me. I clenched my hands into fists, ready to knock his fucking ass out.
This moment had been a long time coming.
Eleven
Fox
“Fuck.” I was on my feet and between John and Cole in the span of a breath with Enzo right beside me.
“Don’t get in my way,” Cole snarled softly from behind me.
“Shut the fuck up, Cole,” Enzo hissed back. “Don’t do this shit. Rosalie wouldn’t want you to fight her father.”
“She’s not here right now to tell me that, so it’s a moot point,” Cole snapped back.
Robert and Janie glanced at everyone, their faces pale. Cole needed to chill. If not for Rosie, then at least for Ethan’s parents. We’d all been through hell.
“I don’t know what sick things you convinced my daughter to do, but it’s over,” John said, glaring at Cole over my shoulder.
“Mr. Bishop, John, please. Not here. Cole is a little upset,” I said, hoping to cool everyone down. I’d always gotten along with Rosalie’s parents. The last thing we needed was for them to toss us out on our asses and not let us see her. “He cares for her. We all do.”
John’s gaze shot to me as Mrs. Bishop moved behind him and took his hand in hers. She shot me a worried look.
“Whatever sick relationship you all had with my daughter is done,” John said dangerously. “Even you, Fox. You should’ve kept her safe, not led her into some disaster that ended with her in a fucking hospital bed needing a machine to breathe for her.”
“You’ll have to excuse me, John.” Enzo drew himself up to his full height, one which towered over Rosalie’s father. “But had you been a better father, our girl wouldn’t be struggling to live in there. Neither would our baby. So you’ll have to excuse us if we’re a little pissed off right now. As her father, you should’ve been protecting her when she needed you instead of shoving her out into the street pregnant for the vultures to pick off.”
John’s face paled, and he drew in a deep breath. “I regret my actions, but my decision stands. Whatever was happening with you all is finished. You almost got her killed—”
“We saved her life.” Cole shoved me hard to move me, but I held my ground and pushed him straight into the hallway. He glared up at me, his chest heaving.
“Not here, man. Not fucking here. All he has to do is say the word, and we’re out. We won’t get to see Rosalie. Keep your shit together,” I seethed at him, my hands on either side of his face as he glared at me with wild, blue eyes. “Now take a deep breath and get your shit together. We’ll walk it off.” I released his face and pushed him back as he attempted to go in.
“Cole,” I growled. “For Rosalie. For the baby. Please.”
He stopped mid-shove and took a step back, a muscle feathering along his jaw.
“For my family,” he whispered.
“Let’s walk.” I took him by the arm and steered him away from the lounge. I knew leaving Enzo behind would be fine. Enzo always knew what he had to do. I imagined he was in there either soothing wounds or creating more, but he’d do it with such style no one would question him once he was done.
Once we were in the parking lot, Cole exploded, his loud shout echoing around us.
I watched as he kicked a dumpster near a back entrance, his fingers tangled in his blond hair and his eyes wild.
“I killed for Rosalie and the baby. I fucking took a life, Fox,” he huffed, sliding to his ass against the dumpster. “When I lie in bed at night, I still feel the vibration of his neck cracking in my hands. I still hear his sick, fucked up words in my head. I did it to protect the ones I love. I didn’t do it so some prick could sit around and act like he has any fucking say in what my girl does, man. What the fuck?” He closed his eyes and rested his head against the dumpster.
“I know, man. I know, OK? You didn’t do it in vain. Rosalie is his daughter. He cares about her just like you care about your baby.”
“He kicked her out—”
“He acted irrationally. I’m sure he regrets those actions more than anything else in his life. This is a high-stress situation for everyone, but we need to be on one side only, and that’s Rosalie’s side. We need to make sure she’s healthy, happy, and safe, even if we hate the people we’re working with to make it happen. You’re keeping your baby safe too, Cole.” I slid down beside him against the dumpster and gave his knee a squeeze. He didn’t say anything else, opting to keep his eyes closed, his lips turned down into a deep frown.
“Are you with me?” I whispered.
“I’m here,” he answered softly. “I’m just worried.” He opened his eyes and peered at me. “What if she’s not the same when she wakes up? The doctors said she has a brain injury. I’m not stupid, man. I know what that can mean.”
I swallowed and exhaled loudly. “I know. I’m worried too.”
“What if everything has changed now? What if we really do lose and not because she decided she was over this shit, but because she can’t even fucking remember who we are? That’s a possibility, you know.”
“It was a small brain bleed,” I whispered, trying to tamp down my own anxiety. “Nominal, at best. The doctors said—”
“What if they’re wrong? What if the girl in that bed already left us? She was fucking dead, Fox. Dead.”
“She wasn’t dead that night,” I said, the ugly memory of her struggling to breathe crashing into me.