53. Fox
FIFTY-THREE
FOX
I stared up at the De Santis mansion, exhaling, my heart thrumming wildly. I wasn’t sure of the reasoning for just me coming since I knew damn well Anson could take her out of this place and bring her home. His car had made it here because it sat off to the side of the house.
I wasn’t sure if I’d be coming home after this. It was Matteo, and I’d made a deal with him that I hadn’t followed through on.
It didn’t matter. As long as Rosalie made it out, nothing else mattered.
Steeling myself, I got out of the car. Four big, hulking men met me before I’d even put two feet on the ground.
“Constantino De Santis?” One of the men grunted out.
I swallowed hard. I supposed that was, or would be, my name.
“Yes,” I answered tightly.
“This way. Matteo is expecting you.”
I followed the men to the door, and they stopped me.
“Weapons.”
I reached into my jacket, pulled out the nine I had on me, and handed it over before I got the pat down. Satisfied, they led me inside.
If I thought our place was nice, it was nothing compared to what Matteo De Santis had. It was beyond lavish. Ivory. Crystal. Marble. Everything was decked out.
I expected to find Rosalie waiting for me and ready to jump into my arms. However, she was nowhere to be found. Feeling uneasy, I followed the men to a door. One of the guys rapped on it, and Alessio Valentino, Vincent’s father, opened it. He stepped aside, allowing me to enter.
And again, no Rosalie.
Matteo sat at his desk, Klaus behind him. I walked forward, and Matteo nodded for me to sit. I did so, definitely wanting to get Rosalie and just get the hell out of there.
“Where is Rosalie?” I asked.
“She will be here shortly,” Matteo said.
I breathed out. “What is it that you want from me?”
Matteo surveyed me for a moment. “I’m only curious if you still have the coin I gave you.”
“I have it,” I said tightly. “Do you want it back?”
Matteo chuckled. “I will get it back once you’re dead, so no worries.”
I said nothing as he continued to watch me.
“How is Santino? I never hear from him.”
I sighed. “Look, I don’t have time for idle chit-chat. You and I had a deal. I’d push the coin when I was ready. I’m not. I’m simply here to get my girl and leave. That’s it.”
Matteo tapped his fingers on his desk for a moment before speaking.
“Tell me, Constantino, does Alessandro have a chance to join Rosalie while you live?”
“No,” I answered, knowing it was true. While I’d consider it in a different life, this was not that life.
“And why is that?”
I shook my head, choosing my words carefully. “Because if he joins us, he has no reason to take her and keep her safe. Plus, Cole fucking hates him and Enzo isn’t interested.”
“And your sugar daddy?”
“He is accepting.”
Matteo nodded. “I find it strange how you’re all able to share and love the same woman.”
“It must be love,” I said, staring him down.
He smiled. “It must be.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “So our plan is still our plan?”
“Yes.”
“Good to hear.” He hit a button on his desk. I had no idea what the hell it did, but I was sure I would find out soon enough.
He sat watching me for several long minutes without a sound in the room. His stare was unnerving, so I did my best not to look at him. He reminded me of my father if my father were oozing danger and violence.
Finally, there was a soft knock, and the door opened. I turned to see Anson step into the room, Rosalie behind him
I was on my feet in an instant and rushing to her.
“Oh god, baby,” I choked out when I saw her face. I cradled it gently, my eyes burning and my throat tight as I stared down at the damage that had been done. “Fuck.”
“I’m OK,” she said softly, resting her hands over mine on her face. “Just a little sore. That’s it.”
I looked at Anson, my bottom lip trembling.
“I killed him,” Anson said. “He’s dead.”
I glanced to see that his hand was bandaged and he had a bruise along his cheek. I gave him a tight nod.
“Thank you,” I whispered to him. I didn’t hold back. I closed the distance between us and pulled him in for a fierce hug.
He held me back, his lips at my ear. “I would do it all over again, Fox. I swear I would. She’s my whole fucking world.”
“I know. I know she is,” I whispered back to him. “Thank you for saving her.”
“Don’t thank me. I’d die for her. You know that.”
I did know that. I pulled away from him and caught Matteo watching the scene with Klaus and Alessio next to him, a peculiar look on his face.
Quickly, I returned to Rosalie and wound my arm around her waist.
“May we leave?” I asked. It was only a formality. I was fucking leaving whether Matteo liked it or not.
“You may. That was our deal,” Matteo said, his voice low, his eyes on Rosalie. The expression on his face had morphed into a curious one. “ Bel fiore.”
Rosalie looked at him as he approached us, her green eyes wide. I stiffened as he stopped in front of her and cradled her cheek.
“Remember what I told you.”
“That you like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and liars aren’t welcome in your home,” she whispered.
A smile quirked his lips up at her words. “That and my promise to you. A gift. Do you remember?”
She nodded. “I do.”
“And?” He prompted.
“You never break a promise,” she answered softly.
“Never.” He leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. “ Possa il sole splendere sempre su di te, bel fiore . Fino a quando non ci incontreremo di nuovo. ”
“Grazie,” she answered back, clearly having picked up a few things since being there.
“Constantino, take care of our pretty flower, yes?” Matteo looked at me. “She is worth more than you know.”
“I will,” I said firmly, grateful he’d clearly treated her so well.
“And I shall do the rest.” He backed away, and I opened the door and stepped out, Anson following us.
I had no idea what Matteo meant, but I wanted to leave and not prolong our stay by asking questions.
I assumed it was about my coin. My gun was given back to me when I reached my Jeep.
I helped Rosalie inside, noting the tens of men nearby, watching.
This place was a fortress. It was insane the lengths he’d gone through for his protection.
No one would ever storm this place and make it out alive.
Cole would have been killed before he’d even made it to the gates half a mile from the estate.
Once I had Rosalie safely tucked away, I returned to my side, where Anson was waiting.
“I meant what I said in there. Thank you,” I said.
“And I meant what I said.” He gave me a pained look.
I sighed and stared at the mansion. “You really would give all this up? It’s your kingdom.”
“I never wanted a kingdom,” he murmured, looking over my shoulder at Rosalie in the Jeep. “Just a little piece of heaven.”
My heart ached at the pain he was in over this.
“Soon,” I said.
He pulled his gaze away from her and looked at me. “Don’t do it, Fox. I can endure the pain. She won’t be able to. You have no idea how much she loves you. Her entire world starts and ends with you. It’ll kill her.”
“This life will kill her. I have to take the chance.”
“Just… don’t . I’m begging you, man.”
“Eight weeks,” I said.
“No…”
“Twelve at the most, as long as all goes well. Before she marries. They won’t go through with the wedding if they’re grieving. If they plan to, you do everything you can to prevent it.”
“Don’t fucking do this,” he repeated fiercely. “Come with me. Take her away with me. You and me. We can take care of her together. Give her everything she’s ever dreamed of. I will protect you both.”
I grasped his face with my hands. He returned the gesture. We stared at one another, our foreheads together.
“I trust you to handle this. We’re family,” I hissed at him through clenched teeth. “Don’t fucking back out on me. I need you on this.”
“And she needs you. More than me. I’ll never be you, Fox?—”
“Then be you,” I whispered. “For her. Do this for her. I don’t matter.” I released him and backed away. “Come for dinner tomorrow night. Enzo will want to see you.”
He said nothing more as I got behind the wheel. I didn’t press the matter. He’d show up. I knew he would.
I put my seatbelt on and started the engine. Within minutes, we were cruising down the highway. Two miles from Matteo’s, a black SUV pulled out behind me, letting me know Enzo had sent men to wait.
I sighed. This was just how it was going to be.
“Talk to me,” I said as we drove. “You’re too quiet.”
“Someone almost killed me,” she said softly. “Tried to rape me.”
Rage rushed through me, but fear quickly replaced it. I didn’t want this life for her. Fuck, I didn’t.
“I know, baby. And he’s dead. Whoever sent him will pay. We’re working on it?—”
“Maybe don’t,” she said, looking over at me with her big green eyes.
I furrowed my brow. “Don’t?”
“Maybe Enzo will let us all leave now. Maybe he will see how bad this life is and he can just tell his dad he’s done?—”
“Oh, Rosie.” I sighed and reached for her hand. I held it tightly. “You know he won’t.”
“Why?” she asked, her voice laced with emotion.
“He’s climbing to the top for you. Believe me, I’ve tried talking to him about it. He has it in his head that no one would dare harm you once he’s at the top. Even E has tried. Enzo wants this.”
She went quiet.
“I’m worried about you,” I continued. “I don’t know what to do. Tell me what to do.”
“There’s nothing. This is our life,” her voice was dull as she stared out the window at the passing trees, her hand still clutching mine.
“You’re going to live a different life someday. A beautiful one without any worries or fears. I promise, Rosie.”
She looked over at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Will you and the guys be there?”
I gave her a sad smile. “Yeah, baby. We’ll be there. Everything will be OK.”
“Then I believe you.” She went back to looking out the window.
I focused on the road, my heart in my throat.
Yeah, I was definitely going through with my deal with Matteo. I wanted to ask her about the promise he made to her, but I held back, letting her relax. I’d ask her eventually.
She deserved a better life than what we were giving her. As painful as it was, I would do this for my Rosie.