Chapter 48
RYDER
I’d arranged for Rosalie and Ellis to get their nails done.
It was a completely private booking, so no one would know she was there.
I’d ensured they closed the entire shop for the time Rosalie would be inside.
I’d spent the previous day having the owner and workers sign NDAs and necessary paperwork so nothing would be leaked.
I breathed out as I stood outside the horsemen’s door and rang the bell.
Enzo pulled the door open, dressed casually, and nodded for me to come in.
“She’s coming,” he muttered. “I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”
I nodded, not saying a word. The guy seemed unusually quiet and withdrawn, but I didn’t give a damn.
Rosalie and Ellis came down the stairs moments later, both wearing pretty sundresses. Ellis ran to me, and I scooped her into my arms.
“Hey, sweet pea,” I greeted her as she hugged me.
“Ryder, my daddy bought me these shoes! Aren’t they pretty?” She stuck her little leg out as I set her down.
Pretty pink sparkly shoes greeted me.
“Those have to be the prettiest princess shoes I’ve ever seen,” I said, smiling down at her.
She twirled in a circle in her pink dress and giggled.
“Oh, Mommy! I forgot Mr. Rufus!”
“Better go get him,” Rosalie said.
Ellis raced from the room, her little shoes making a clicking noise as she went.
“She seems happy,” I said.
Rosalie smiled. “She is. This has been good. So far.”
I nodded. “I’m glad.”
We were both quiet for a moment as I eyed her.
“What?” she asked, smoothing down her wild curls nervously.
“Nothing. You look really pretty today,” I said softly. “I like that dress.”
“Oh.” She laughed and tugged at the short hem. “Ani got it for me.”
“He always had good taste.” I chuckled. “No crutches today?”
She shook her head. “No. I think it’s getting better. It’s not hurting as much, and I’m honestly tired of the damn things. I think as long as I’m not trying to run a marathon, I should be OK.”
“And I’m here to carry you if you need me.”
Her lips quirked up. “Part of the job description. I like that Klaus put that into your contract.”
I laughed at that. “Just sends me to the gym to keep in shape. I think that’s really his plan.”
Ellis came back into the room with her bear, and Rosalie held her hand out to her. I went to the door, pulled it open, and followed them out. Enzo had a different security guard on duty. He’d eyed me for a moment without a word before going back to his phone.
We made it to the parking garage, Ellis talking a mile a minute about how cool her dad was. I didn’t like Cole Scott, at least what I knew of him, but I liked that Ellis seemed happy.
Frank opened the back door to the SUV. I figured it was best to have some extra muscle with us for the day. Frank liked to fight and didn’t seem to care if he lived or died. In a way, that worked in our favor. Klaus and the guys trusted him, and he was Sylar’s old man, so he was a good fit.
Of course, he was an odd guy, but considering the children he’d fathered, I wasn’t surprised.
“Mrs. Beyers,” he greeted Rosalie, then Ellis. “Miss Beyers.”
“Frank.” Rosalie patted his cheek as she got into the back of the SUV.
He grinned stupidly at the gesture, and I shot him a warning look.
Aside from being Frank, he was also a serial womanizer.
Not that he had a chance with Rosalie, but it likely wouldn’t stop him from trying to get another cheek pat from her.
He winked at me, and I shook my head.
We settled in, and Frank got behind the wheel before taking us out of the parking garage and onto the street. Luckily, Enzo’s place didn’t have any paparazzi hanging about. It seemed they’d grown bored with the sex tape.
“How’s it been?” I asked Rosalie as I sat across from her. The SUV was set up with the seats facing one another.
She shrugged. “OK.”
What I really wanted to ask was if she was letting Cole join.
When I spoke to Anson last night, he said they’d watched Cole kiss her on camera, and it was looking like it was heading in that direction.
Anson didn’t seem overly upset by it, and it brought me a little relief, considering I knew Anson couldn’t stand Cole.
“That’s good,” I said, smiling at her. “But OK could always be better.”
“It could be. Circumstances and all that. I guess I’m a little gun-shy, so to speak, given our…history.”
“Gun-Shy? Sounds like a new song.”
She chuckled and reached over to push a rogue curl away from Ellis’s face.
“It could be. How would it go?” she asked.
This was a game Rosalie and I had played over the years.
We’d throw out a line and just build on it.
I was by no means a songwriter like her and Anson, but I could play guitar and hum a tune if I needed to.
I just enjoyed making up songs with her.
Sometimes they ended up on her albums, at least a line or two.
She’d tried to credit me before, but I’d immediately shot her down. I wanted no credit.
I cocked my head and studied her before singing softly.
“You say you’ve changed, you’ve grown up. Got regret in your veins, but I remember that silence when you walked away from my pain.”
A sad look washed over her face.
“Your turn,” I murmured.
“You didn’t turn, didn’t hesitate. Didn’t fight, didn’t stay. Now you’re back with your apologies, like they’ll wash it all away,” she sang softly.
“Keep going,” I urged.
She paused for a minute, her voice louder this time.
“But your touch still hits like lightning, still wrecks my gravity. I hate that I still want you, after what you did to me.”
“Chorus, Red. Bring it home.” I tapped my hand against my thigh. Ellis joined in, making Rosalie smile.
Then Frank broke in with a beatbox, making Rosalie’s eyes fly open wide and me chuckle. I had no idea he could beatbox.
“Come on,” I pressed. “You’ve got an entire band here.”
“I’m gun-shy, baby, don’t you see? You pulled the trigger once on me. Left me bleeding in the dark with your fingerprints on my heart. Now you’re standing in my light, saying everything so goddamn right. But I remember every goodbye. I’m gun-shy, baby, yeah, I’m gun-shy.”
We cheered loudly for her as she ended it.
“That was really good, Mommy!” Ellis exclaimed, clapping her hands.
“It was,” I agreed, smiling at Rosalie. “I think you’ve just written your next hit song.”
“We have,” she corrected.
“That was all you,” I said, shaking my head.
“And me,” Frank piped up. “I helped.”
Rosalie laughed as I rolled my eyes.
“I’ll be sure to include your beats, Frank,” Rosalie said.
“I knew I liked you.” Frank grinned in the rear-view mirror. “Did Klaus ever tell you that I’d sit in and drum for their band in college?”
Rosalie raised her brows at that. “No. He didn’t.”
“Well, I did. So if you ever need a guy, that’s me.”
“I will keep that in mind,” she said.
“I suggest adding in a symphony,” Frank continued. “With a little tinkling of a bell or xylophone.”
“Noted,” Rosalie said, nodding thoughtfully.
“Daddy can play violin!” Ellis said. “He likes to play for you.”
“He sure does, baby,” Rosalie said affectionately as she pulled her phone out. I watched as she brought up Anson’s name and sent him a message. I knew he was in meetings all day, but I was sure she wouldn’t have to wait long for a reply.
And I was right.
Her phone went off almost immediately.
I smiled. Anson didn’t fuck around when it came to his girl. He’d drop the world on its ass if it meant he was making Rosalie smile.
She messaged him back before tucking her phone away.
“He’s fast,” I commented.
She smiled fondly at that. “He is. He’s excited for it. He said he’s going to call you later.”
“Me?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I told him you helped.”
“I helped too,” Frank called out.
She laughed. “Maybe he will call you, too, Frank.”
“Better,” Frank muttered as we pulled to the back entrance of an upscale nail salon.
“Talons,” Rosalie mused. “Nice.”
“The name is really what brought me here,” I said as Frank got out and opened the door for us. We got out, me helping Rosalie as she let out a soft hiss at her ankle.
“You OK?” I murmured as she leaned on me. I wound my arm around her waist.
“Yeah. This damn thing is just so sore. I hate it.”
“I got you,” I said, deciding I wasn’t going to let her go. Ellis took my other hand, and we went inside.
I knew this was a good place because the owners seemed so excited when I’d reached out to them.
“Oh gosh! Bishop! Hi,” Monica, one of the owners, gushed as we came in. “I’m so glad you could make it! Welcome to Talons!”
“Thank you so much for having us,” Rosalie said.
“Of course!” Monica led us to a table for Rosalie and one for Ellis. “I have our best girls here today. Daria will work with you, and Miranda will take care of little miss.”
“Thank you so much,” Rosalie said, settling in.
Ellis took up a seat at the table next to Rosalie, and I wandered to a seat outside the nail area.
They’d drawn the blinds per my request and had a CLOSED sign on the door.
I’d already cut them a five-figure check for today, Anson’s orders, so everything was set.
“Ry?” Rosalie called out.
I was on my feet and at her side in a moment.
“Tell Daria how you want my nails,” Rosalie said, smirking up at me.
Daria looked from Rosalie to me, probably wondering why I even had a say since everyone in the world knew she was married to Anson now.
I rattled off the vision I wanted for her nails before returning to my seat.
My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out to see Anson was messaging.
Anson: Hey, Cole wants your number. Are you OK with me giving it to him?
I sighed and rubbed my eyes.
Ryder: Yeah. That’s fine. As long as he’s not a dick. Enzo is a dick squared.
Anson: I know he is. Cole just wanted to check in. Rosalie wasn’t answering him. I told him she’s getting her nails done, but I think the guy has separation anxiety or something.
Based on what I knew about Cole Scott, I’d say Anson wasn’t wrong. All I knew was that I wanted to clock the prick in the face as hard as I could for taking Rosalie and knocking me out with a lamp. He was on my shit list.
Anson: Be cool, man. I know you’re pissed at him, but Rosalie and Ellis, you know?
I grumbled as I replied to him.
Ryder: I know. I’ll be cool.
Anson: LeeLee said you picked out her nails. Getting rid of my pink tips, huh?
Ryder: You know it. I saw a chance and took it.
Anson: She said you guys worked on a song, too?
Ryder: I guess. We did that thing where I throw out a line, and she just runs with it. You know how she is. It was 98.5% her, 1% me, and 0.5% Frank’s because he’ll be pissed if I don’t mention him.
Anson: Lol! I can’t wait to hear it, man. I just want to thank you for coming back. Rosalie adores you, and I know I can always count on you. We couldn’t do this without you. It’s stressful enough, but having you there makes it easier.
I scrubbed my hand down my face, hating that he didn’t know my feelings. I was good at hiding them, but they were starting to kill me.
Ryder: All good, brother.
Anson: I have to get back to this meeting. Talk soon, OK?
Ryder: Talk soon.
I was just about to darken my screen when a message rolled in from Cole. I groaned but opened it.
Cole: Hey. It’s Cole. Anson gave me your number. I just wanted to check in on my girls.
My girls. Douche.
After the shit he’d done to get into this position, well, let’s just say I REALLY wanted to punch this asshole.
Ryder: All is well.
It took a moment for him to reply.
Cole: I also wanted to apologize for hitting you with that lamp. That was a dick move on my part. I’m grateful you’re taking care of my family while I’m at work. If there’s anything I can do, just say it.
I frowned at the message. Was this the same Cole Scott I’d known and heard about? Maybe aliens had invaded and taken over his body. Who fucking knew. Seemed out of character for him, but maybe Evan’s bat put the fear of god into his rich ass.
Ryder: I’m going to punch you in the face someday for the lamp. As for Rosalie and Ellis, it’s no problem. They’re my family too.
Cole: I expected you would. I deserve it.
Can you just update me on things? I think I’m going to have to stay a little late tonight since one of the docs called off and they’re trying to get a replacement in.
Enzo has a gala to go to. Would it be too much to ask you to hang out with Rosalie and Ellis until I get back?
I know we have security and all that, I just don’t want them to be lonely while I’m away. I’ll pay you.
Ryder: I don’t need to be paid. I’ll stay. I’ll tell Rosalie to message you when she’s done.
Cole: Thanks, man. I really appreciate it.
I darkened my screen and settled back in my seat, my heart in my throat.
I’d never been in love before, but I was sure this was as close as I’d ever get.
It was truly killing me to know that I’d never have her the way I wanted her.
But if she kept smiling, then I’d smile too.
I wanted her happiness above all else.