Chapter 10 Klaus
KLAUS
“How is sweet Rosalie?” Matteo called out to Anson as we sat in his office. Anson had been there for an hour and seemed lost in thought, not contributing to anything we said.
Anson shook his head, a sigh coming out. “I don’t know. She moved out. We’re taking some space.”
I shifted forward in my seat at that news.
I wanted to demand an answer to where she was, but I held it in and simply waited to see what he would say.
She hadn’t told me she was moving. In fact, I hadn’t spoken to her all that much this week since I’d been working extra.
Plus, I was concerned I’d look desperate, so I forced myself not to overindulge.
Matteo sat forward and frowned. “What? Where is she staying?”
“A hotel for now—” Anson started.
“Alessio, get her here. I want her looked after—” Matteo snapped his fingers at Alessio, who made to stand.
Perfect. There we go…
“Father, no,” Anson shouted, his blue eyes flashing.
I tensed, and we all stared at Anson.
“She-She wants to be free. I’m letting her. I think a break would do her good.” Anson looked at his hands.
“She works at a diner,” I said after a moment. “Waiting tables for pennies.”
I still wasn’t sold on her working there. If she were my girl, she’d never work. I’d pamper her and ensure she had everything she could ever want, including all of me.
I breathed out, hating the strange thoughts.
They weren’t me, but there was something about her I couldn’t shake.
She had been texting me since we’d exchanged numbers.
Little things, and I’d reply by telling her she should come to my apartment.
She’d reply with a simple thank you, but say she didn’t want to impose.
I’d say she could never, but she wouldn’t hear it.
Stubborn. Like her father.
I sent her a picture of me a few days ago. Eating a muffin. She really seemed to like it because she’d sent me a picture back of herself eating a chocolate chip cookie.
I’d saved that photo to my phone. I wanted to make it my screen, but I knew that was too bold, and if Alessio, Matteo, or even Anson saw it, I would pay for the mistake.
Anson scowled at me for my reply about her working.
Matteo frowned at me. “How do you know that?”
“I heard they serve good muffins. I was curious. I went in, and she was working,” I stated evenly, no emotion in my voice.
Anson narrowed his eyes at me, but didn’t say anything, so I continued.
“I left her a fifty-thousand-dollar tip to quit. She told me to go to hell, but nicely, and gave me the check back.”
Matteo chuckled. “Strong one, that flower.”
My lips twitched. That she was. I admired the hell out of her.
“What happened between you two?” Matteo looked back at Anson.
I stared at him, waiting for his answer.
Anson shrugged, his voice low. “Bad timing.”
“You control your time,” Matteo said. “Go get your woman, Alessandro.”
“She’s not my woman,” Anson shot back. “I have a woman.”
“You have a woman who is using you to stay alive. She won’t fuck you or love you.” Matteo waved him off. “Marry Bianca if you wish, but you can still be with Rosalie.”
“Yeah? How’d that work for you?” Anson shot back.
I winced at his words and chanced a quick glance at Matteo. He had lived and breathed for Delilah. He’d have risked his life and had, in fact, to be with her, but when Carmine threatened to murder her and his children while he watched, Matteo had no choice but to let her go.
It had broken him. We’d spent years with Matteo, watching as he slowly darkened. He’d once been a carefree, happy man who loved fiercely. As time went by, he turned cold and withdrawn.
Anna was a good woman, but she wasn’t the woman he wanted. Then, when Dominic was born, it drifted even closer to hell.
And so everyone suffered.
Matteo stiffened at Anson’s words. It took him a moment to speak.
“Alessandro, you’re a good man, but if this marriage to Bianca is ruining your potential happiness, then you owe it to yourself to let go and take what you want. You deserve to be happy, too.”
“I don’t quit things I start. I’m marrying Bianca,” Anson replied softly as he stared out the window, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“Is that your final answer to this entire situation?” Matteo asked.
“Yes,” Anson said, looking back at him. There wasn’t an ounce of wavering there. He meant what he said. We’d be stupid to think he was bluffing.
Matteo sighed, and the room fell quiet for a moment. I worked hard to keep my feet in place, so I wouldn’t run off to call Rosalie to make sure she was OK. Something must have happened between them. Judging by the mark on Anson’s neck, he’d fucked around with her, and his morals came into play.
I breathed out, feeling that soft surge of jealousy bubble up inside me.
“Alessandro, go to Bianca. Take her something to eat. She’s been enjoying ice cream a lot lately. Take her some.” Matteo looked at him, a sad look on his face.
Anson didn’t hesitate. He was on his feet and out of the room in moments.
“Alessio, call Trent. Tell him to come to me,” Matteo murmured as Anson left.
Alessio pulled his phone out and made the call as Matteo got up and went to the bar.
I took the opportunity to message Rosalie.
Klaus: Did you know that a single cloud can weigh about 550 tons?
I sat and waited for her reply. My phone buzzed a moment later, making me smile. She’d sent me another picture, a quizzical look on her pretty face. She was working and must have taken time away to reply to me.
I really liked that she cared enough to.
Rosalie: Sounds like that’s why when it rains, it pours
I smiled at her text, but didn’t get a chance to respond because Matteo turned things back to business.
It was just as well.
Maybe I’d see her soon.
I’d put Rosalie’s name on every list in every club I could in town. In the event she decided to go out, she’d be able to go inside where she could be safe and have a good time.
I’d never done that for anyone before, and I didn’t even know if a club was something she’d go to, but I wanted all bases covered.
It was why, on that particular Saturday night, I wasn’t upset about doing the weekend club tour for Matteo.
Alessio and I often took turns making sure things were running smoothly. It was my turn, and I was in the last place of the night.
Blades.
A club that Matteo owned that pulled down a hefty sum of money, even on weekdays. It was one of the hottest places in the city.
I sat in the VIP booth, finishing a meeting with the manager, who always looked like he was going to piss his pants.
“If the books are off by even a penny this month, I will pay you a visit,” I said, staring him down.
“Y-Yes, sir, Mr. Seeley. E-Everything will be perfect.”
I gestured for the little weasel to fuck off in any general direction that wasn’t in my space. He scurried off like his feet were on fire.
I finished my drink and got to my feet, ready to go back to my place and stare at the city through my window. At the balcony in the club, I looked down at all the people dancing and having a good time.
Nothing remarkable was happening, but then I saw a flash of red and zeroed in on it.
Hummingbird.
I stood frozen, watching as she danced in a tight little red dress that made my breath catch. Men approached her, danced on her, but she didn’t seem to care. Sure, she danced back, but it was clinical fun.
I backed away from the balcony and went to the dance floor. It only took me a moment to reach her. People slid away from me, knowing who the fuck I was.
I placed my hands on her hips and danced against her. The girl could move, and it was affecting me. We danced together through the rest of the song before she turned in my arms to face me.
I smirked down at her, wondering what she’d say to me.
“I should have known it was you,” she said, her voice loud as she went up on her tiptoes. I leaned down to hear her.
I smiled at that and put my lips to her ear.
“You just love turning up in places you shouldn’t be, don’t you?”
“Maybe.” She danced away from me without another word, her sexy-as-fuck hips swaying. People continued to keep their distance from me.
I stood there for a moment, watching her go back to dancing, before deciding I’d let her enjoy herself and went to the bar.
“The redhead,” I said to Alan, the bartender. “She drinks for free here.” I wrote a note for her on a napkin. “When she comes for a refill, make sure she gets this.”
“You got it,” he said, taking the napkin from me.
I left him and went to security.
“When that beautiful redhead makes her way here, she is to be let in. I want her. She does not leave this club tonight without me. Got it?”
“Yes, sir,” both men said in unison.
I ascended the stairs again, returned to my booth in the back, and waited. It took her several long minutes, but eventually, I spotted her walking toward me, men turning their heads as she passed.
She looked damn good.
“Little hummingbird,” I greeted her as she stopped at my table. I gestured for her to sit. She did so, her fruity drink in her hand.
“Do you like that drink?”
She nodded, sucking from the straw.
I couldn’t stop the smirk teasing my lips. We sat quietly in my booth for a few moments before she spoke.
“Are you happy?” Her words slurred a little.
I raised an eyebrow at the question. It wasn’t often anyone ever bothered to ask me. “I’m not sad.”
“But are you happy?”
“Are you?” I countered.
She shrugged, some of her curls falling over her shoulders. “I’m drunk. Guess it’s the same thing. Answer the question.”
“Demanding little thing.” I smiled again. “I am happy.”
“Why?” She took another drink. “What makes you happy?”
I breathed out, feeling bold.
“You.” I stared back at her, taking in the way her pretty green eyes widened slightly at my words before a soft, breathy laugh fell from her plump, red lips.
“Me? You said I was a pain in your ass a few days ago.”