57. Ethan
FIFTY-SEVEN
ETHAN
I stared into the night, noting how clear the sky was as the stars twinkled above us.
Anson was back in our lives and had been for a few weeks. Enzo and Cole had returned to their gruff selves around him, but I had to hand it to Anson. He took it all in stride and didn’t make waves.
Well, many waves. Enzo told us Anson had once again tried to get Rosalie to leave us.
Cole nearly lost his shit. A new hole was added to the drywall, and we’d lost two lamps and one ottoman in his rampage through the office before we got him settled down.
Fox said nothing about Anson. Only nodded like he expected it.
Old Fox would have lost his shit completely.
This Fox was resigned and didn’t fight it.
I knew it was because he was in the same state of mind I was in.
After Rosalie had been taken, all I’d been thinking about was how unsafe all this shit was becoming.
I loved her with my entire being, but I was selfish like the others and didn’t want to let her go.
I’d let Anson join us without batting a lash if it meant she’d always be safe.
I’d let Anson join because he was a good guy.
I liked him. He would be good for her and us. I’d die on that hill.
Enzo and Cole didn’t see what I saw, so I didn’t push the matter, but it didn’t take a genius to see the light was back in her eyes.
He practically lived with us now. He was at the house every night with her while we worked harder and longer hours.
He’d even brought and left an overnight bag in one of the guest rooms because every now and then, he slept over when we were gone too late.
Cole hated it. It made working difficult because not only was the situations stressful while we exchanged gunfire and other bullshit some nights, but to have the maniac out there trying to rush through shit wasn’t a walk in the park. I swear he got us into more trouble than peace many nights.
If I had a choice, I’d be home, holding our girl. If Anson wanted to stay and watch movies while I did it, I’d be game. I wanted to get to know him better anyway.
“Anything?” Fox called out, pulling me away from my thoughts.
“Nothing.” Enzo hung up the phone and looked around. Someone tried to take his father out again. Found his safe house. Set it on fire. He’d only just escaped with Marissa. We hadn’t told Rosalie all the details because we didn’t have them.
We were working the streets, trying to get answers.
Or, as Fox pointed out, trying to be moving targets.
Enzo had grunted at him, not denying it. I knew Fox wasn’t wrong. Enzo sometimes played dangerous games and went out on purpose, almost daring people to take a swing.
This was one of those times.
“I forgot my phone,” Enzo snarled, patting his jacket. “Fuck.”
“What are you talking about? You just hung up,” I said, frowning at him like he’d lost his mind.
“Not that phone. My personal one. The one Rosalie can reach me on.” He swore again.
“No worries. She can reach any of us,” Cole said, waving Enzo off.
“That’s not the point. All the security cameras are on that phone for home. I can’t check in on her.”
I glanced at Fox to see an unreadable expression on his face. We both knew what Enzo was saying. He wanted to check in and make sure Anson wasn’t fucking up and touching our girl.
“She’s fine,” I said firmly. “She ordered a bunch of baking stuff. I helped her set it out on the counter. She’s going to be baking her ass off tonight.”
“Really?” Cole’s eyes lit up. “Did she say she was making carrot cake? Pumpkin bread? Those little cookies with the jelly in the center?”
Fox chuckled. “Yeah. Cupcakes and all that. She wants to donate to the bake sale for the music department. They’re raising money to pay for new music stands and lighting.”
“She’ll make extra, though, right?” Cole frowned. “Did she say extra?”
“I’m sure she will,” Fox said, pushing off the Escalade and stepping forward in the dark parking lot. We’d stopped here, waiting for word on our next move from Anthony. As far as we knew, he was safe with Emilio and on his way to another location with Marissa.
“Fuck.” Fox turned and grabbed the handle on the door. “Get in the fucking car!”
“What?” I looked around just as a blacked-out sedan turned the corner, tires screeching.
I dove into the car with the guys, barely getting the door closed before gunfire erupted.
“Fucking goddamnit,” Cole shouted, ducking low in the front seat as the window got blown out.
Enzo groaned as his window exploded from a bullet.
“Are you OK?” I shouted, my heart in my throat. “Enzo?”
“F-Fine. The bullet grazed me.”
More gunfire.
Enzo managed to start the Escalade, and we squealed out of the parking lot in pursuit of the shooters.
I barely got my seatbelt on when another car smashed into us as we went through a green light. More gunfire sounded out.
“Motherfucker,” Enzo snarled as Cole shot out the open window.
Fox joined the fray, shooting indiscriminately from his window as I groaned from the impact. This wasn’t how I wanted to spend my evening.
I just wanted to go home and be with our girl. If I had to end this madness, I would.
Pissed, I got out, Cole shrieking at me to get back into the car.
I stormed forward, not giving a fuck if I got shot. I was over this shit.
I walked straight up to the car, pointed my gun at the driver, and pulled the trigger. He was already slumped and groaning from the impact, which was good for me since the other two guys in the car were too busy shooting at the Escalade, hoping to get Enzo.
I popped the guy in the backseat before getting to the guy in the front. I reached inside and cracked him in the face with my gun, knocking him out.
“What the fuck?” Cole shouted, rushing over to me. “Have you lost your fucking mind, E? You could have been killed! How the fuck are you still alive?”
I didn’t say a word. I opened the door to the car and pulled out the guy I’d knocked out.
Reaching into my jacket, I grabbed a dose of my sugar that would render the dude a blubbering asshole and keep him under my control.
I jammed the needle into his neck and dragged him to the back of the Escalade. Cole helped me put him in the trunk.
I wanted to go home, so if I had to take matters into my own hands, so be it.
Sirens blared in the distance. They’d back off once they realized we and our enemies caused this.
There were a lot of crooked cops in this city, many under Enzo’s thumb.
Those who weren’t were under Ivanov’s. Everett Church’s.
Even Matteo De Santis. No one was loyal.
Whoever paid the most was the winner. Right now, Enzo was paying top dollar.
The cops who were still decent weren’t great at all and wouldn’t pursue us, hoping we’d just kill each other off.
We got back into the trashed Escalade. Enzo had been talking about getting a new vehicle, and it looked like he had a damn good reason now.
“I caught one,” I said, settling back in my seat.
Fox looked at me like I’d sprouted an extra head.
“E? You good?” he asked as Enzo put the Escalade into gear and got us out of there. We drove in the direction of one of his warehouses.
“I’m just really fucking tired of this shit,” I muttered, realizing just how hard my heart was pumping. I’d been foolish for what I’d done. I’d been working on my shit in therapy, though. My shrink told me I had to face my fears. Dying and leaving my girl behind was a huge one.
Nothing said facing your fears like walking through gunfire.
I didn’t say that I hoped one of the bullets would catch me and put me out of my misery, though.
That was my secret.
But the look on Fox’s face told me he wasn’t entirely buying my tough guy act.
He shook his head at me and reloaded his gun.
I pulled my phone out and sent a text to Rosalie.
E: Baby, you good?
Rosalie: Of course. Are you guys OK? How are Anthony and Marissa?
E: On the move. They’re safe, as far as we know. Anson might have to stay late. We have some business we have to attend to.
Her answer came slower.
Rosalie: Please be careful. I worry so much. Come home to me. I love you.
I swallowed hard at her words, guilt washing over me at the nonsense I’d just pulled.
E: I will. I love you, too. See you soon, sweetheart.
I darkened my screen and stared out the window.
Fuck, I just wanted to go home.