by K. G. Reuss
“And the fourth horseman has arrived,” I called out in my rough voice as Fox stepped into the room.
Enzo and Cole swiveled their heads in his direction.
Fox’s hands were buried deep in his pockets, and he looked tired.
“What’s going on? Is she awake?” Cole demanded.
“She’s. . . not.” He sounded defeated.
“What?” Enzo asked, his brows furrowed.
“What’s going on?” I shifted, wincing. I still hurt, but my ass was out of here tomorrow. The moment I signed my release papers, I was heading to Rosalie’s room.
“Nothing, really. She’s just in a lot of pain. She’s not talking. The doctor gave her some pain meds, and they put her out again.” He blew out a breath and swallowed.
“She’s not talking? How bad is it? The baby?” Cole’s legs bounced as he waited for Fox to answer.
“The doctor said the baby isn’t out of the woods yet. Their main concern is to get Rosalie comfortable and manage her pain. He said she has a long road ahead of her. She still might lose the baby.” His last sentence was soft.
Cole balled his hands into fists.
My guts clenched.
“You knew it was a possibility,” Enzo reminded Cole. “Keep your cool.”
Cole was on his feet, his fingers in his blond hair.
“Calm down, man. They’re probably just saying it as a precaution—” I started, but Cole shook his head.
“I-I can’t do this shit.”
“You can’t go in there. She’s resting—” Fox started, but Cole tugged his hair quickly.
“I-I’ve gotta get out of here. I’ve gotta go.”
“Man, easy,” Enzo said, finally rising to his feet. “It’ll be OK.”
“Fuck OK,” Cole snarled. “Nothing is OK anymore. Can’t you see that?” he asked, hysteria in his tone.
“Jesus, I knew I shouldn’t have said anything,” Fox murmured, shaking his head. His phone buzzed. He pulled it out and read the message, a frown on his face.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Juliet. She wants to talk to me.”
“Fuck that cunt,” Cole snapped, his face reddening. “I’m so sick of this shit. The moment Rosalie is well enough to leave this hospital, I’m taking her away from all this fucking shit. Her and the baby don’t need to deal with this.” His crazed expression landed on Enzo. “Let me just fucking do it already.”
“Do what?” Fox demanded, his gaze darting between Enzo and Cole.
“We’re not discussing this shit here.” Enzo strode across the room, his expression dark. “Cole, I think you need to cool off.”
“I need my girl and kid to be safe—”
“You’re going to fuck this up for all of us if you don’t calm the fuck down. Do you think Rosalie’s parents want her jumping from one abusive prick to four guys who don’t look like they have their shit together? Do you want to never see your fucking kid again? Because I bet Rosalie’s parents will still have an influence on her, regardless of the shit that went down. John is the type of guy who’d push your nobody ass out into the street rather than fuck with you. Get. Your. Shit. Together,” Enzo gritted out.
“I’m just throwing my two cents in. I love you guys and everything, but if I have to choose Rosalie or you, I’m choosing her,” I called out. “I didn’t almost die to get fucked over.”
“No one is going to fuck you over.” Enzo looked over at me. “I promise you that.”
“Then Fox better shut that shit down with Juliet, and Cole better figure out his crap, because I know what I want.” I cast an even look at my friends. “I’m not going to lose her again.”
Cole blew out a breath and settled back into his seat. Enzo cast him an uneasy glance before returning to his. Fox moved forward and sat at the foot of my bed.
“It’s just going to take time. We need to be patient,” I murmured. “I love her. I love you guys. Let’s take it day by day. For all of us. I don’t want to lose any of you. You’re my family.”
“You’re not going to lose us.” Enzo got up and rested his forehead against mine. “I promise we’ll get it sorted.” He tapped my cheek lightly as was his way, and I gave his hand a feeble squeeze. He released me and moved back to his chair.
“I’m sorry. I’ll get the Juliet shit worked out.” Fox glared at his phone.
“Did she say she wanted to meet up and talk?” Cole grunted.
“Yeah.”
“Then let’s meet her. You let her suck your cock while I go look for the shit she has,” Cole said. “I’ll burn her fucking house down if I have to.”
“That’s a terrible idea,” I said, shaking my head.
“It’s not that bad,” Enzo said, cocking his head.
“I am not letting that bitch suck my dick,” Fox snapped, his face reddening. “I’m with Rosalie, and I’m certainly not going to cheat on her.”
“It’s not cheating.” Cole looked to Enzo who nodded in agreement.
“It is cheating,” I interjected.
“To be fair, it’s getting what we need to get rid of her.” Enzo rose to his feet. “I’ll do it if you won’t. I’ll keep her occupied while you guys get the shit. Take her whole fucking computer if you have to.”
“You can’t be fucking serious?” I stared at the two who looked like they were actually contemplating the idea.
“Fine. Let’s do it.” Fox shot a message off to Juliet before I could even get out enough words to protest.
“Sorry, buddy,” Cole murmured, giving me a sorrowful look. “Take care of Rosalie while we’re gone.”
“Sure, dickheads. I’ll do just that from my hospital bed when I’m not allowed out of my fucking room. You’re all fucking idiots,” I called out to their backs as they turned to leave. “You’re making a huge mistake. I won’t cover for you. You fuck everything up, and you’re on your own!”
“See you in the morning, E,” Enzo said, glancing back at me as he reached the door.
Cole and Fox had already left.
“Don’t do this. You have to learn. Remember what happened last time?” I whispered.
“This won’t be like last time. You said you were in, remember?”
I nodded tightly.
“This is what being in looks like. We want to keep Rosalie’s rep intact. You know how Juliet is. All she’ll be able to do is run her mouth once we have everything. Cole needs this.”
He was right. Cole was fit to explode. He needed to act. He had to feel like he was doing something worthwhile to keep Rosalie safe.
“Fine. Just. . . be careful.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
And with those departing words, Enzo disappeared, leaving me to worry about what sort of shit they were about to get us in.
Again.
Nineteen
Enzo
“She said she’ll meet me at my place.” Fox darkened his screen as I drove through town.
My Mercedes purred beneath us as the scenery whizzed past. I was driving way too fast but fuck it. I wanted this shit over with sooner rather than later. I’d been contemplating how to kill Juliet, and any reason at this point seemed like a good reason. The good guy inside me wanted to give her a chance. But the bad guy wanted to toy with her and pull off her wings before I lit fire to her ass.
“What’s the plan?” Cole’s voice was a low growl.
“She wants me to be there. If it’s anyone else, she’ll be suspicious,” Fox said softly.
I caught him wincing in my rearview mirror.
“I know you don’t want to do this, but it needs to be done. If we don’t neutralize Juliet, she’s going to show the whole school Rosalie’s shit. Plus, she might spill her guts on the whole Ian situation. Not that I think she can actually get us in trouble, but it would be a shit stain on our records, especially yours, Fox. Your scholarship would probably go to hell if those videos got out.”
He nodded tightly.
“You don’t have to fuck her. Just keep h
er busy.” Cole glanced over his shoulder at Fox. “Hear her out. Get as much information as you can. Try to talk some sense into her. The next step ends in splat.”
“What?” Fox frowned.
I sighed and whipped the car to the side of the road. With my gaze locked on Fox’s in the rearview mirror, I pulled the loaded gun out of my center console. Fox’s mouth dropped open.
“I’ve been given a gift, Evans. I can take care of the problem and we’ll be done with it, or you can try to smooth things over.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Fox shouted. “You planned on murdering her?”
“I guess you’re the determining factor in that.” I quickly relayed the connection between her father and my father to Fox, who shook his head like I was insane.
“You fucking knew about this, Cole? And you’re OK with it? You’re going to be a dad, man! You think being a murderer is the best role model for a kid—”
“I’m already a murderer.” Cole turned in his seat and glared at Fox. “I will kill anyone who gets in my way where Rosalie and my kid are concerned. Don’t act all high and mighty, Fox. You’re the one who wanted to torture her until she broke.”
“I made a mistake. I just wanted. . .”
“You wanted her to feel as broken as you did. You blamed her. We know the story. Well, now it’s time to do the shit you knew we’d have to eventually. You’re in or you’re out. It’s that fucking simple. If you’re out, get the fuck out, and we’ll take care of this how it should’ve been taken care of from the start. If you’re in, do your fucking job.” I gave him an even look in the rearview mirror.
“So you think killing people is the answer?”
“Yep.” Cole popped the P on the word. “We have a list. I’m not leaving this town until I’ve taken care of it.”
“You in or out?” I asked softly. “If you’re out, we’re done here. Take care of Rosalie and Ethan for us. And the baby.”
Cole balled his hands into fists but didn’t say anything.
I turned and finally looked at Fox directly. “We’re burning seconds here. In or out?”
“I fucking hate you assholes. I’m in. I meant it in the beginning, and I mean it still.” He sat back in his seat, a muscle thrumming along his jaw. “But I don’t want anyone fucking dying. That’s some last resort shit.”
“Then keep her busy. Whether she lives or dies is in your hands, Foxy.” I turned around and wheeled back onto the road.
“I can’t control what she does,” he grumbled.
Cole let out a dark laugh. “I could if you’d let me.” He was holding the gun in his hand.
“There’s still time for all that,” I said darkly as Fox ground his teeth in the backseat. “But let’s try it this way first.”
“When did you lose your damn mind, De Luca?” Fox called out.
“Who said I ever had it?”
Cole glanced over and gave me a genuine grin, which I returned. He knew exactly what I meant. Two peas in a mother fucking pod.
We dropped Fox off at his place. Then I put in a call to Emilio and let him know I was going to be stealing some shit along with breaking and entering.
“Killing her is faster,” he said with a laugh. “And probably cleaner.”
“I know, but I figure this might be fun.”
“I thought we were trying to get rid of the drama. You think that bitch is going to be happy about being led on?”
“I certainly hope not. It’s not fun if there aren’t tears.”
Emilio laughed again. “Kid, just kill her.”
“It’ll probably come to that. I just want Fox to know I tried in the beginning.”
“I get it. I do. But understand your father wants to see some blood for this. You’re either going to take out that bitch or you’re going to take out her father. It’s your choice. You know that’s where it’ll end up.”
“I know,” I murmured.
“Then have your fun. Just don’t drag it out too long. Call if you need me.” He clicked off, and I looked to Cole.
“Giving you shit?”
“Yep.”
“Let’s just kill her. I’ll walk in and pop-pop. Game over.”
“We’d have to be sneakier than that,” I mumbled. “When it comes time to choose, it’ll have to look like an accident.”
“Or maybe they just fucking disappear. That’s why Emilio is called The Body Snatcher, right?”
I nodded. He was. People just came up missing around him. None of the bodies were ever found. He was just that fucking good at what he did.
We pulled down the street and got out. Night had fallen, which made this shit easier. Thankfully, there weren’t any cars parked in Juliet’s driveway. Her parents were hardly ever home.
We’d spent time in her bedroom, so we had a decent lay of the land.
The Crofts had one security camera at their front door.
We each grabbed a knapsack from my trunk and sneaked to the back of her house through the shadows. I grabbed onto the trellis I’d climbed many times before to get into her room and heaved myself up. Cole followed. I was banking on her dumb ass leaving her window unlocked. With a gloved hand, I reached out and tried it. Sure enough, it slid open.
I went through the window with Cole behind me.
“Grab her computer,” I said.
Cole grabbed her laptop and stuffed it into his bag while I riffled through her drawers, scooping up flash drives. I didn’t give a shit if it was her homework or our videos. Everything was dumped into my bag.
“Keep looking for shit. I’m going to go check the study down the hall.”
Cole nodded and continued searching her room. I made my way to the study and stole the laptop in there. All the other electronics and items she may have the videos on, including an iPad and another tablet were snatched as well.
When I got back to her room, Cole was stuffing a big, pink dildo into his bag.
“What the fuck are you doing with that?” I asked.
“Figured if she can’t fuck herself, it might piss her off. It’s the little things. Or in this case, an eight-inch silicone cock.” He gave me a grin that made me chuckle.
“You’re a fucking weirdo. Let’s get out of here.”
“Can you believe this thing has a suction cup?” he asked as we climbed off the trellis and returned to my car.
“It’s almost as big as my cock.”
Cole snorted. “You’re not the only one with a big dick around here.”
“We can sword fight about it later.” I laughed.
Cole shared my mirth. “You think Fox is holding up OK?”
“Let’s hope so. The last thing we need is him fucking her and her claiming he got her knocked up.”
“You think she’d do that?”
“I think she’d claim he raped her. And that’s worse. So we better hurry up and save his ass.”
And with that, we sped off to Fox’s.
Twenty
Fox
Juliet sat on my couch and peered at me with wide eyes.
“What?” I grunted from my spot on the love seat.
“Why won’t you sit next to me?”
“Because I fucking hate you,” I said evenly. “I thought you knew that.”
Her cheeks reddened. “It doesn’t have to be like this. I mean, really. What does she have that I don’t?”
“How about a personality? We can start there.”
Juliet rolled her eyes. “You liked fucking me, Fox. I know you did. You came every time.” Slowly, she moved her skirt up her legs, exposing her red thong.
“I’m a guy, a warm breeze would work just as well getting me hard. Are you here to talk or be a whore?” I snapped, glaring at her.
“Both.” She giggled without shame. “No one has to know what we do. Would that make it easier on you? If I became your dirty little secret?” She pushed her thong aside, showing me her shaved, pink pussy. “You let me suck your cock in the beginning when you were starting out w
ith Rosalie.”
“You sucked my dick one fucking time before Rosalie agreed to be with me, and you scraped my shit. It was literally the first day I approached Rosalie about everything. So it doesn’t count.”
“I wonder if she’d think the same thing.” Juliet ran her finger up her slit and swirled it over her clit.
I ground my teeth. “What did you come here for, Juliet?”
“I just wanted to show you what you’re missing.”
“The only thing I’m missing is in a hospital bed. That ain’t you, bitch.”
“Such a dirty mouth. You make me so . . . wet.” To prove her point, she dipped her finger into her pussy and pulled it out to show me her glistening fingertip.
“You disgust me.”
“You know you’d fuck me right now if she wasn’t in the picture.”
“Pretty sure I wouldn’t.”
Come on, Enzo. Cole. Hurry the fuck up. Being stuck here with Juliet rubbing her pussy on my couch wasn’t turning me on. In fact, it made me sick. All I wanted was for this shit to be over with. I wanted my life back. I wanted Rosalie home and healthy. I wanted Ethan to feel better and be better.
Fuck. This sucked.
Juliet got up and moved to me.
“Don’t,” I warned, clenching my jaw.
Where the fuck are you, Enzo?
“Are you even together with her?” She pulled her dress over her head, leaving her bare tits and pussy exposed.
I averted my eyes. “Yes.”
“Is it your baby?”
“It’s our baby,” I said tightly.
“I take that as a no. Who got her knocked up? I bet it was Enzo with his giant cock and smooth talk.” She straddled my lap and kissed along my neck. I pushed her away, trying to keep my shit together. I’d give them ten more minutes, and then I’d just give in and let them shoot her ass.
She remained on my lap and rubbed her tits.
“I want to come, Fox. Let me?”
“Do what you want, just not with me.”
She giggled softly and rubbed her pussy with one hand and kneaded her right tit with the other.
“Tell me your cock is hard.”