Chapter 29 Klaus
KLAUS
My head was a damn mess. I’d called Rosalie at least a hundred times since I’d last seen her pretty face. Straight to voicemail. Her silence was making me sick. I was sober now, so I was thinking straight.
I knew her. I knew she wouldn’t just walk away, especially after how she’d acted last night. She wanted to talk. She’d kissed me. She wanted me too, and now she was gone, and if the horsemen didn’t have anything to do with it, I feared Everett Church did.
It’s why we had to pull over for me to vomit again on our way to The Loon.
“Easy,” Teo said as I wiped my mouth before taking the water he offered me.
“I am not well,” I choked out. “I’m worried.”
“We will find her,” Matteo assured me. He kept saying it, but I didn’t see how we could. She’d disappeared without a trace.
“Frederick confirmed Cole Scott was seen on security cameras and that Rosalie did, in fact, go out the side door after you did,” Alessio said, hanging up his phone as I took another drink.
“He has no cameras in the back lot, which I told him he needs to fucking get,” Alessio muttered. “But it would appear she was alone when she walked outside.”
My guts twisted.
Anyone could have taken her. Cole Scott had left, and I’d gone around the front of the building to look for her before leaving.
I’d left her.
“It’s my fault,” I rasped before I heaved my guts out again. It was just a dry heave at this point. Matteo patted my back gently as I clutched at my stomach on a curb.
“You did not know. This is not your fault,” Matteo assured me, his voice soft. “Do not blame yourself, brother. You tried. You looked. You did what you thought best.” He handed me the water again, and I cleared my mouth before closing my eyes.
Please, God, if you give a shit about her, bring her home safely. Fuck. Please. PLEASE.
I’d been begging God all night for her safe return. I doubt he gave a shit about me, but he had to care about my hummingbird. She was all that was good and pure in this world. Surely, he would not take her…
The thought made my stomach roil again.
“Klaus, we need to go,” Matteo said firmly. “Get yourself sorted. We cannot be late to a meeting we called.”
I nodded. He was right.
I sucked in a few deep breaths before getting back into the SUV. Frank pulled back into traffic after shooting a look at me. I didn’t want that ass to see me losing it like this, but at least he didn’t push the subject. He knew I’d punch him in the face again. Or finish choking him.
We arrived at The Loon a few minutes later, and Drake and some of our men waited for us on the sidewalk.
“Can you handle this?” Alessio asked Drake. “You’re friends with the horsemen.”
“I am loyal to the kings before all else,” he said firmly.
“You are prepared to fight and even kill?” Matteo raised his brows at him.
Drake didn’t flinch. “I am loyal to the kings,” he repeated.
Matteo inclined his head. “We will see.”
Matteo and Alessio walked past him, and Drake fell in step with me, our men behind us.
“Are you OK?” Drake asked softly.
“No,” I muttered.
“Rosalie is smart. She was built to survive. Wherever she is, she will make it back.”
“How do you know?” I looked over at him.
He shrugged. “I’ve seen her deal with Cole Scott and Enzo De Luca. She can handle herself. Plus, you guys helped to train her a bit. Add that to her intelligence, and I’d say she’s giving whoever may have her a run for their money.”
I breathed out, relaxing a bit at that. I needed to hear it.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
He clapped me on the back but didn’t say anything as we went to a private dining room and took a seat. The horsemen weren’t here yet, but they had a few minutes.
“Klaus, be calm,” Matteo said softly in German to me. “I need you to keep your anger in check.”
I grunted. I’d try, but if they lied, I’d kill them.
A moment later, Lorenzo and his men were led into the room, the hostess quickly closing the door behind her, fear on her face.
“I’m surprised you showed,” Matteo said smoothly as he watched them seat themselves across from us at the table.
The quiet one, Ethan, the sugar daddy, looked around, his green eyes showcasing his nerves. He wouldn’t be an issue. Cole Scott and Lorenzo De Luca, however, would be if it came down to it. I doubted their men had anything on our men. Lorenzo had brought just as many as we had.
Ethan exhaled and glanced at Alessandro, who wore a sour look on his face. He was pissed. He wouldn’t even ride with us, and had brought his friend Ryder with him. He was waiting outside, which was a good thing, I suppose, if Alessandro needed him.
Alessandro reminded me so much of his father. Big, muscular, no-nonsense.
Lethal.
I kept my face emotionless. I had to get through this without fucking anything up, despite my desire to reach across the table and choke the life out of Cole. Had he not interfered, Rosalie would be safe right now and not missing.
I blamed him just as much as I blamed myself.
“Why wouldn’t I show? My girl is missing,” Lorenzo said.
“Your girl?” Matteo nodded to Lorenzo’s wedding band. “I didn’t take Rosalie as a side piece.”
And he’d told me to be nice…
I was glad he got the dig in, though.
“Fuck you,” Cole snarled. “Piece of shit. I know you have her. This is your way of trying to start a fucking war with us—”
“If I had her, I would not be wasting my time here,” Matteo snapped, sitting forward slightly. “I assure you, Mr. Scott, I have more pressing matters to deal with.”
“We only want to get this sorted,” Ethan murmured.
“Please. Wherever she is could be bad. E-Everett wasn’t f-found.
If he has her…” His breathing picked up.
I narrowed my eyes at him. He had many issues, and I felt bad for him.
I knew his history. We knew all our enemies. This man had been through hell.
“E,” Cole murmured.
Ethan visibly trembled, his breathing picking up. I watched Anson slide a wrapped candy across the table to him wordlessly, his face holding no emotion.
Despite his anger, Alessandro was still kind, at least to Ethan. I admired that. Ethan took the candy and, with shaking hands, opened it before putting it into his mouth.
Matteo watched with interest, probably logging away what he could use as a weakness if he needed to.
“How about asking this German fuck where she is?” Cole continued, glaring at me, dragging me back to the moment.
“Klaus has divulged his side. We want to hear yours,” Matteo said before I could say anything.
Cole Scott was trying my patience.
“I saw her kissing that prick.” Cole scowled at me. “I waited for her in the bathroom. When she came in, because I know her, I… talked to her.” Cole shifted, his voice lowered, and looked at his hands.
Alessandro narrowed his eyes at Cole. “What did you do?”
Immediately, I was on edge again. Do? What the fuck did Alessandro know that we didn’t? Was Cole violent with my girl? I’d rip his head from his body if he touched her.
“Fuck you, Ass Hat—”
“Cole, we’re trying to find her,” Enzo murmured. “Come on.”
“I fucked her,” Cole snapped, eyes flashing as he glared at me. I tensed, fury pouring through every fiber of my body at his words. Rosalie… cheated? But how could she cheat on me if I hadn’t asked her to be mine? My stomach twisted, but so did my hands. I’d really tear his fucking head off.
“How does that make you feel, big man?” Cole spat at me. “I fucked her, and she took all my cock. Eager for it. You want to know why?” Cole leaned forward.
I shook as I tried to contain my anger. Alessandro looked like he also struggled.
“Because she loves me. She fucking loves me, not you, you fucking giant prick! She would never love someone like you! When I fuck her, she screams for me. She comes for me. You were the last fucking thing on her mind.” Cole’s chest heaved as the words tumbled from his mouth.
“Du Stück Schei?e! Ich bringe dich um!” I snarled as I shoved my chair back and got to my feet. I pulled my gun out and leveled it at Cole’s face, my finger itching to pull the trigger.
Only two things stopped me. I promised Teo, and if Rosalie found out I’d done this, she’d hate me for sure.
More guns were drawn. I didn’t care if I died. If she were gone, then I felt like I already was dying.
The only one who hadn’t moved was Ethan. He continued to sit, sucking on his candy, slightly rocking in his seat. He looked like he didn’t care if he died.
“Enough,” Matteo snarled. “We are here for a common cause, and while killing one another is appealing, it is not today’s purpose. Put your guns away.”
I hesitated before putting away my gun, but I did not sit.
“Brother, we can get nowhere if we kill them,” Matteo said softly to me in German. “I ask that you calm yourself.”
“We can’t help her if we fight right now. It’s more of a rift, but I do not mind killing them if you want, Teo.” Alessio glanced at both of us as he spoke in German.
I grunted. “I will behave. We can kill them later.” I didn’t think these horsemen fucks knew my language, so speaking it probably irritated them.
Good.
“Then sit. Let us get through this nightmare,” Matteo finished in German.
I took my seat, glaring at Cole, who glared right back at me.
“So an outside force has taken Rosalie,” Matteo said, looking back at the horsemen and speaking in English again.
“It would seem so,” Enzo murmured.
I was surprised he was as quiet as he was. He seemed to observe a lot. Anthony was always a talker. Perhaps he took after his mother instead.
Ethan rummaged around in his jacket before pulling out one of his sugar sticks and lighting it. I watched him take a deep hit before he blew out the smoke.
This man was a mess.
He was in no condition to be the man my hummingbird needed.
Matteo stared at him for a moment, but he didn’t bother commenting on what was happening.
“Anson, please make a call to our very special friend,” Matteo said, looking away from Ethan and using the name his mother gave him. “See what he has to say.”
I knew he was referring to Sylar. I doubt that little shit would say anything because of the rules he’d put in place or himself, but it was worth a shot. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about the shit a time or two and reaching out to ask if he knew anything about Rosalie’s disappearance.
Wordlessly, Alessandro stood and left the room.
“We don’t want any issues,” Enzo said. “We want to ensure Rosalie’s safety.”
“It wouldn’t matter,” Matteo replied, waving his hand dismissively.
“While up and coming, you haven’t arrived, Lorenzo.
I would decimate you without batting an eyelash.
The only reason you still survive is because of Rosalie.
If she is not found, I will come for you, and if I don’t?
” He let out a soft, sinister laugh. “I’m sure my brother will.
He seems a little on edge as of late, considering you had a hand in his son’s death. ”
“I didn’t kill Fox,” Enzo snarled, his dark eyes flashing with both pain and anger. I could hear the heartache in his voice. “I would have died for him.”
“And yet you didn’t.” Matteo sat back and studied him. “Had you, sweet Rose wouldn’t be missing, and people wouldn’t be mourning.”
Lorenzo’s hands shook as he glared back at Matteo.
“You were my father’s best friend,” Enzo said softly. “He cared about you. I’m sure he still did until he drew his last breath.”
“Your father is the reason I lost Delilah. The reason my children grew up without me. The reason my daughter is dead,” Matteo said, his voice ice cold.
I glanced at Alessio to see that he was preparing to step in so Matteo didn’t lose it.
“Your father is the reason,” Enzo answered. “Carmine. He is the one who caused you pain. Everyone else just tried to save what was left.”
Matteo’s nostrils flared with his anger. Alessio reached out and rested a hand on Matteo’s shoulder. I sat forward. Lorenzo was not wrong, but it wasn’t something Matteo was ready to see reason on.
Yet.
I did hope someday the pieces would fall into place for him in a way that could help him to heal.
Before violence could break out, Alessandro returned.
“He said he has no information to give.” Alessandro sat and rubbed his eyes. “That the slate is clear, but if anything comes up, he will reach out. He said he will be looking into it.”
Matteo nodded and rapped his knuckles on the table.
“So be it. Horsemen.” He stood, and we followed.
“You have an open channel with Alessandro and Alessio. If information arises, I agree to inform you, and I hope that you return in kind. If she isn’t found soon, or is found dead, I will kill you all. Have a nice day.”
He didn’t stay to get input. That wasn’t Matteo’s style. Once he spoke, he was done.
We followed him outside. Alessandro walked past us. I watched him for a moment before I followed him to his car.
“Alessandro,” I called out.
He stopped, his back to me, and let his shoulders sag for a moment before turning to face me.
“I am not in the mood, Klaus,” he said as his friend got out of the car.
I paid that man no mind and focused on Alessandro.
“I never wanted her to get hurt,” I said softly.
“Well, she probably is,” he answered. “And if she is, I don’t care if you’re my father’s friend. I will kill you.”
He backed away from me, leaving me to watch him.
He got into his car and squealed away, leaving me to stand on the sidewalk.
“He is upset,” Matteo said, resting his hand on my shoulder. “Once we find her, all will be well.”
“I hope so,” I whispered.
“Come, brother. We have work to do.” Matteo walked back to the SUV, and I looked to the sky.
“Come back to me, hummingbird,” I choked out. “Please, baby. God, please bring her home.”
I closed my eyes and breathed out before turning and going back to the SUV.
I wouldn’t stop looking until I found her.
That much I knew. If God couldn’t bring her back to me, then I’d become the fucking devil.