35. Ethan
ETHAN
“Have a good day, Laz. I love you,” I said, kissing Laz on the forehead before Ann guided him away from our front door. He had school today. I liked keeping him in year-round to build his skills.
He said nothing, but he gave me a hug, which made my throat tight.
I wanted so many things for my boy. I hated that he wasn’t speaking when he’d been so sweet and vocal before.
I’d been to the school several times before deciding it was a lost cause.
I’d pulled him out and enrolled him in a new place.
It wasn’t going much better because now he was being picked on for not talking.
Couldn’t fucking win.
Although Dom and Fallon’s twins didn’t seem to mind him not speaking. They all continued to play as if nothing was wrong.
Kids baffled me.
I turned around, went back to the kitchen, and found a box of macaroni and cheese in the cupboard. We definitely needed to go shopping.
I put on some water, hoping Enzo and Cole were having a much-needed talk.
“Good morning,” I murmured as Rosalie wandered in wearing Cole’s robe.
“Hey,” she said, her cheeks flushing pink.
I slid a cup of coffee at her as she took a seat at the island.
“Thanks,” she murmured, tucking a curl behind her ear.
We were both quiet, and I turned my back on her to stir the noodles in the water. It wasn’t the best breakfast, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.
“Ethan?”
“Yeah?” I looked at her from over my shoulder.
“I’m sorry about the whole gun thing.”
I turned to face her and leaned against the counter. “It’s fine, Rosalie. I’m surprised it took you this long to try to shoot us. I don’t blame you. Enzo was being a dick. I sucked. Cole was… Cole. We’re good, sweetheart. I promise.”
“Are you sure?” She winced as she stared at me.
I turned back to my noodles and pulled them off the stove before draining them in the sink.
Then I went to her.
She stared up at me, and I tilted her chin up so I had her full attention.
“We’re good. I promise. Congratulations on the baby, too. I am so happy for you.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“I bet you’re beautiful with that baby bump,” I continued softly.
Her cheeks flushed again.
“I really can’t wait to see it.”
She reached out and took my hand that was on her face and twined her fingers with it.
“I’m scared.”
“I know,” I said softly. “But you’re brave. You always have been, and you won’t be alone through any of it. I promise.”
She nodded and licked her lips. It sent a jolt straight to my dick.
“We have added security set up for you,” I continued. “Dmitri and Christian will be taking turns with Elijah and Memphis outside the door. We have men downstairs as well. If you need anything—”
“I know.” She squeezed my hand. “I do think we could use something other than mac and cheese for breakfast, though.”
I gave her a sheepish smile, still clutching her hand as much as she was clutching mine.
“I’m going to put in a food order. Ann has been on my ass about it, and you just sold me on it.”
She smiled and released me, leaving me feeling cold and lonely. I swallowed and kept the smile on my face.
“Did Cole have to work? We didn’t really get to talk last night.” Her cheeks darkened again.
“Uh, no. He’s in with Enzo right now,” I said. “They’re talking.”
She nodded, not seemingly bothered by it.
“Do you work today?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. I have a lecture in about an hour. I actually need to get going.”
Her smile widened as she picked up her coffee cup.
“What?” I smiled as I slid a bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of her.
“Doctor Masters,” she said in a voice that really did something to my dick and to my heart.
I chuckled at her. “Yes?”
“I’m just so damn proud of you.”
“That means a lot, Rosalie. Really. Eat your breakfast.”
She laughed and shook her head, but dug in as I settled next to her, both of us eating the mac and cheese.
“Where’s your son?” she asked after a few moments of silence.
“Uh, school. Ann just picked him up. I’ll pick him up from her this afternoon, then we’ll head over to the hotel—”
“Ethan, you don’t need to uproot his life. This is his home. I promise I’ll be OK if it’s me you’re worried about.”
“It’s just… Laz hasn’t been around many women. We don’t bring women here. I mean, none of us have fucked anyone but you in the last five years. Well, I mean, there’s me…” My voice trailed off, and I frowned.
She put her hand on mine.
“Ethan, bring your son home so he can play in his room. So he can be where he’s comfortable. Ryder will be here tomorrow, and Evan is coming soon after with Ellis. He had something to do with the studio for his movie, but I promise, I’ll be out of your hair more than in it.”
“I like you being in my hair.” I gave her a sad smile.
She smiled back. “Please. I’d love to meet him.”
“Maybe,” I said, wincing. “But I do think it’s best if we stay at a hotel for a few days.”
“No. I know what’s going on out there in this city.
He is safe here. Please. Don’t go. I’ll be out of your hair in a few days because I’m going to go stay at the safe house Dom has set up for us.
I’ll only be back here on Cole’s days off.
And I might not even do that because Cole might stay with me. ”
“OK. I-I’ll bring him home tonight.”
“I’ll make dinner,” she said, offering me an encouraging smile. “What’s his favorite food?”
“Honestly? He loves chicken nuggets and spaghetti. Mac and cheese. Burgers. He pretty much eats everything, but it’s been a long time since we did spaghetti, and, uh, yours was always my favorite…”
She grinned. “If you want me to make you spaghetti, Ethan, just tell me.”
“Would you make me spaghetti for dinner?” I asked, feeling like a shy dweeb. “And maybe with that homemade bread you used to do?” I winced, hating to ask her.
“I would love to.”
I let out a breath of relief before grabbing a tablet off the counter next to me. I handed it to her.
“There’s the grocery app on there. Order everything and anything you need or think this place needs. I mean, if you want.”
She laughed softly. “I’m your house bitch now, huh?”
It was my turn for my cheeks to heat.
“God, no, Rosalie. Fuck. You’re our guest. I don’t mean you have to do this stuff—” I reached to take the tablet from her, but she brushed my hand away.
“Get out of here. Let me feed you guys the proper way. I’m sure you’ve been living on takeout and chicken nuggets for way too long.”
Relief swept through me as I watched her go through the grocery app.
I didn’t want to leave her side, but if I didn’t, I’d be late, so I forced myself to my feet and took both our empty bowls to the sink before I returned to her and kissed the top of her head.
We both froze for a moment as she looked up at me.
“Ethan?”
“Sorry,” I whispered. “I… old habits. I’m sorry.”
Her lips twitched in the corners. “Kiss me properly the next time you want your lips on me.”
Fuck, sweetheart…
“Yeah?” I murmured.
“Yeah.” She smirked, got to her feet, and stared up at me. “If you’re brave enough.”
I swallowed as I gazed into her pretty eyes.
“I don’t want to piss off your husbands or your new boyfriend,” I murmured.
“Trust me. They won’t mind.” Her eyes sparkled.
“You’re a little tease,” I said, laughing softly. “I’m going to be late for work. We’ll pick this up later.”
“Will we?” she challenged.
I honestly didn’t know if we would. I wanted to, but I had my boy to worry about. My job. My brothers. My life, which was now being threatened by the fucking Virelli family. It was bad enough that I had four men with Ann and Laz just so they could go to and from school safely.
“You don’t need to answer me now. We’ll see.” She went up on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. “Have a good day at work, Doctor Masters.”
“Definitely a tease.” I backed away from her, smirking.
She winked at me and settled back with her coffee. It took me a moment to force myself from the apartment, but once I did, I could finally breathe normally again.
I wanted her.
But I honestly didn’t know if I could truly have her. It seemed she was open to the taking, and Evan said the guys were fine with it. But Laz…
And we had so much shit going on in our lives, and I knew we had to leave it if we wanted to be with her.
I sighed. They would have to be worries for another time.