49. Rosalie
FORTY-NINE
ROSALIE
I hadn’t heard from Anson in a week. That’s how long it had been since we’d helped him when he was drunk.
He hadn’t reached out, nor had I. I didn’t even know what I’d say if I did reach out to him.
As far as I knew, he didn’t want to talk anymore, and things were back to how they had been before that night.
It hurt. I couldn’t change that. I thought he cared more than that, but then again, neither of us had any business caring in that way, so I accepted it was what it was.
I walked downstairs to find the house empty.
The guys had been busier than usual lately, and sometimes, no one was home when I returned from classes.
I wasn’t practicing a ton, but one or two days a week was better than anything I did before.
Today was one of those days I had the practice room booked for the entire afternoon, something I hadn’t done in forever, but I had a new song plaguing me that I was desperate to work on.
Hearing voices coming from the office, I made my way over and stopped outside the door. I knew I shouldn’t eavesdrop, but I didn’t want to interrupt them if it was important. I needed to tell them I was going to leave to practice in case they’d forgotten I was going today.
“What the fuck are we supposed to do?” Fox demanded. “Huh?”
“I don’t know,” Enzo answered sourly. “But it’s happened, so the point is fucking moot.”
Fox let out a loud curse. I frowned. Something definitely wasn’t right.
I tried to stay out of their business because I honestly didn’t want to know or worry more than I already did.
I knew Enzo and the guys weren’t angels and did bad things.
I tried not to dwell on it, opting to live in a bubble where they were perfect and never hurt or killed anyone.
I never once thought they were bad. In my mind, they only killed and hurt those who wronged them or were a danger.
Dark knights, really.
It kept me from going nuts with worry.
“What’s Anthony saying?” Cole asked.
“He’s telling me to go on lockdown and head into hiding until we get leads, but I’m not doing that shit. I don’t fucking run and hide,” Enzo said.
“I’m not giving anyone my recipe. I don’t give a shit,” Ethan said defiantly. “It’s my fucking life’s work. It’s never happening.”
“Tell me what was said again,” Fox said, the worry evident in his voice.
“The demand is for Ethan’s sugar recipe. If we don’t give it up, whoever this prick is says he’s going to begin taking us out, one by one.” The frustration in Enzo’s words made my heart clench.
“Fuck them,” Cole snapped. “Let them come.”
“What about Rosalie? Huh?” Fox’s voice took on a hard edge. “I’m not willing to risk her life for this fucking bullshit?—”
“She will not be at risk,” Enzo said calmly. “She has our men watching her when we aren’t there. She is safe. No one will harm her.”
“Do we have any leads at all?” Fox asked. “Anything?”
“We have a few. I think it’s coming from the Underground, but Everett Church would be nuts to start his shit,” Enzo continued. “There’s no reason for him to want to get in on this.”
“Is it possible it’s just a rumor going around?” Ethan asked, his voice thick.
“It’s a very real possibility. Your shit is good. It’s pissing people off,” Enzo answered. “I’m hoping that’s all it is. I have our men out digging for more information.”
“Yeah, but wasn’t Jack’s message saying we had twelve hours to deliver it to the docks?” Ethan pressed.
Enzo scoffed. I imagined he was rolling his dark eyes at the audacity of anyone making demands of him. Jack, one of his men I understood worked on the streets, probably got an earful when he delivered the message.
“Yes. And we will wait out the twelve hours. If it’s a real threat, we’ll know about it. Then we act. I’m not going into hiding or doing shit until I know if this is credible,” Enzo finished.
I backed away from the door, my chest heavy.
I had to get out of here. I needed to breathe.
Rushing to the front door, I grabbed my bag and keys and got into my car.
The moment I was on the road, I breathed out.
I could see Enzo’s men following in my rearview, so I knew they were doing their job.
While I knew I probably shouldn’t leave, given the situation, I also couldn’t stay.
The last few weeks had been good. I didn’t want to go back to being stuffed away.
Back to being forced to wait for a ride, to ask for someone to arrange their schedule for me, to worry.
Goddamnit, the worrying. I’d been relatively worry-free for weeks. Now, it hit me like a bus.
I didn’t want to go back to that. God help me, I didn’t.
When I got to Mayfair, I went into the practice room and sat at the piano before I took out my music. I set it up, ran my fingers along the keys, and then played the opening chords twice before bursting into tears.
I sobbed at the piano in the solace of the four walls where no one could hear me for the better part of a half hour. My phone finally buzzed with a call from Fox.
I wiped my eyes and answered it, hoping I didn’t sound as bad as I felt.
“Hey,” I greeted him.
“Rosie? Baby, are you OK?” His worried voice carried over the line.
“I’m fine. I had one of the practice rooms booked for this afternoon. Remember?”
He was quiet for a moment before I heard all the guys. He’d put me on speakerphone.
“I guess I forgot. I was worried,” he said.
“I’m fine. Just sitting here at the piano. Randy and Jake followed me here. They’re probably sitting in the parking lot now, although I told them to get a coffee. They told me no.” I let out a laugh, and I hoped it didn’t sound as forced as it was.
“They better not go get a fucking coffee,” Cole called out. “I’ll kill them myself.”
I swallowed hard, noting the frustration in his voice.
“I’m fine. Are you guys OK?” I asked, wiping my eyes again.
“We’re fine, Sunshine,” Enzo said. “We’re going to go out and do some work this afternoon. If Randy and Jake aren’t out there, you go back into that practice room and wait for one of us, OK?”
“I’m sure they’ll be there. They’re the equivalent of human herpes,” I muttered. “Can’t get rid of them.”
I heard Ethan chuckle in the background. I smiled, hearing him. Whenever Ethan laughed or smiled, it was contagious, even when life was going to shit.
“Can you stay a little later?” Fox asked. “If you do, that would be best.”
“Uh, yeah. No one has their name under mine. I can stay until ten when they close up.”
“Good. Do that,” Enzo said. “One of us will come get you at that time.”
“Why?” I ventured softly.
Silence greeted me.
“Enzo? Fox?”
“Just… we’re working on something right now. We want to ensure it’s not a threat,” Enzo said delicately. “I don’t think it is, but I want to make sure. There’s security on campus, and Jake and Randy will remain there. You’ll be safe. So stay, OK?”
“OK,” I agreed, grateful this room had a couch to lounge on. I’d grab a snack in the commons or maybe even order dinner. I’d be fine. I kept telling myself that anyway. I didn’t want to dwell or worry, but I could feel the panic working its way up my throat.
“I love you, Rosie,” Fox murmured. “Be safe, OK? Call us if you need anything.”
“I will. I love you. All of you.”
They all said it back to me before hanging up. I put my phone on the edge of the piano, my heart filled with worry.
With nothing else to do, I let my fingers move slowly over the keys, a new song brewing in my soul.
I stared down at my phone. It was ten-thirty, and I hadn’t heard from the guys.
Night had fallen, and I was tired. They weren’t answering my calls either.
Scared, I decided I needed to get home. The very real fear that something was wrong was eating at me.
I knew I promised to wait, but security had already been by to let me know it was time to go.
Sighing, I got up and grabbed my bag, and headed out. I’d poured myself into my work today, getting further ahead than I had in a long time. I tried Fox’s phone once more before I tried Cole.
Still nothing. Not even a text.
Fearing the worst, I walked out to the parking lot to see that Randy and Jake weren’t out there. The worry grew as I quickly rushed to my car in the dark lot. It had been so long since I’d been alone that I didn’t realize how scared I’d be.
I didn’t like it.
I unlocked my door and made to grab the handle, but a hand slammed over my mouth. I let out a muffled scream as I kicked and bucked against my attacker. He was strong, whoever he was.
I managed to land my elbow in his guts, dropping my keys in the process. He released me with a grunt. Knowing better than to spend the time searching for the keys, I dropped my bag on his foot and ran, calling for help as I went.
I ran as fast and far as possible, going off campus and to the empty streets. I ducked into an alley that led to the back door of my favorite coffee shop. I knew the owners kept that back door open when they closed. If I could make it there, I’d be OK.
A scream tore from me as I fell to the hard pavement in the alley, way too far away from my goal, my palms and knees smacking hard.
He’d knocked me down and was on me in a minute.
I bucked and kicked at him, desperate to fight him off.
So many ugly memories flooded my mind, but only one I could focus on.
My guys. If something happened to me, it would kill them.
I didn’t recognize the man, but I couldn’t see him because of the black ski mask he wore.
He was solid muscle, though, and seemed unconcerned about the damage he was doing to me.
His fist came down hard on my face once. Twice. Three times. My vision blurred as I tried to blink away the pain and blood. “You’re a pretty little bitch, aren’t you?” He let out a raspy laugh, the sound of his zipper coming down filling my ears.
God no. Please.
Roughly, he spread my legs as I weakly fought against him.
“Boss didn’t want me to touch you, but I’ve never fucked a redhead before. And one as hot as you?” He slapped me hard as I tried to fight my way out. My ears rang, and my arms were tired.
He leaned down, his lips at my ear. “My only wish is that prick De Luca was here to see me pound into this pussy. Maybe he’d start fucking listening when he’s told to do something.”
He kissed my jaw. My lips. I gagged against him, sobbing so hard my chest burned. He sucked against my neck, marking me.
I couldn’t get away. I wasn’t strong enough.
I felt his rock-hard cock press against me over the skirt of my dress.
He pinned my arms easily over my head despite my struggle. The fact of the matter was that I simply wasn’t strong enough to break free.
I knew where this was going. God, help me. I knew.
I checked out. All the ugly things I’d pushed out of my head since Black Falls flooded my mind. Ian. That night. Ethan. The car accident. The fear. The hopelessness. The way it felt to know I was going to die. How I screamed and begged. How I prayed so hard.
I hoped they killed me this time because there was no way I’d be able to do this again if he got what he wanted from me.
I just couldn’t.
I closed my eyes and begged god or whoever was listening to send someone to save me because I couldn’t even save myself.