58. Anson
FIFTY-EIGHT
ANSON
R osalie laughed as I showed her the cupcake I’d decorated. I’d gone wild, used many different decorating tips, and came out with what looked like a hairy monster face.
“You like it?” I asked, grinning as I admired the neon green monstrosity. It was more frosting than cake.
“I love the weird eyes you gave it,” she said.
I looked down at the three eyes. It was pretty cute.
I wasn’t an artist by any stretch, but I enjoyed decorating cupcakes and cookies with Rosalie.
She was a natural and would probably excel with her own bakery and decorating service.
When I asked where she learned how to do it, she said she was always lonely as a teen.
To combat it, she’d watch YouTube videos and just started baking.
It hurt my heart to know she struggled like that growing up. Had I known her then, we’d have done this together.
Things between us had pretty much gone back to normal. I didn’t press her about leaving, and she didn’t act like the conversation happened. I knew we were running out of time, though. Fox often would give me the side-eye, reminding me he was on borrowed time.
I ignored it, hoping he’d get his shit together and stop the nonsense.
Rosalie’s phone rang, and she frowned at the number before answering.
“Hello?”
I watched her face as it morphed into worry and confusion.
“Who is this?” More silence. “Enzo left his phone. You won’t be able to reach him. He had something happen with his father tonight, so he left with the guys.”
She paused once more. “Yes. Um, can you hold on for a minute?” She took the phone away from her ear. “Ani?”
“What’s going on?”
“It’s Dominic De Santis. He seems upset, like he’s in trouble. He’s asking for Enzo, but Enzo left his phone.” She nodded to his phone sitting on the counter.
“Give me the phone,” I said, coming to an immediate decision. She obliged, placing her phone in my hand.
“Dominic?” I said into the mic.
“Hello?” Dominic’s deep voice came on the line, sounding frazzled. “Who is this?”
“This is Anson. A little songbird told me you might need some help tonight.” I glanced at Rosalie, who was still worried.
“I’m sure you have a million questions,” I continued, knowing the kings probably weren’t privy to my situation here. “But I’ll answer you with one simple sentence, and that is this. I’ll help because it’s what family would do. Where do you need me?”
“Need you? Who the fuck are you?” Dominic demanded, his voice a snarl. “And why are you with the horsemen? And my father?”
I sighed, knowing it was exactly as I thought it was. “That’s a little melodramatic, Dominic. We’ll talk about it later, brother. For now, give me an address, and I’ll meet you there.”
Dominic was quiet for a moment before giving me an address.
“I’ll see you soon. Don’t get dead,” I said, disconnecting the call. Quickly, I sent Dominic’s number to my phone. My phone buzzed with a call from Trent.
“Hey—”
“I’m being summoned,” Trent said quickly into the phone. “Tate. Hail. They’re planning to take out the kings. They have Bianca, Fallon, Levin’s bro, and his girlfriend. You need to get the horsemen or some shit on this. They brought an army. I can only do so much, man.”
“OK,” I said, remaining calm. “Get Bianca out of there when you get there. No matter what you have to do. I’m on my way. Stay alive.”
“Hurry. I can only hold the fucking psychos off so long. I’ll do what I can.”
“Love you,” I said.
“Love you too, bro.” The line disconnected, and I looked at Rosalie.
Her green eyes were wide with fear.
I went to her and cradled her face, my heart in my throat. “I’m going to go help. OK?”
“Ani—”
“I’ll be back. We’ll finish decorating these cupcakes then. I promise.”
“I’m scared.”
“Don’t be. I have to help. Dominic is my family. He needs me.”
She nodded, visibly swallowing. “Do you need weapons?”
“Couldn’t hurt,” I said.
“Follow me.” She pulled away, and I followed her to the basement. She entered a code into the door. It swung open to display so many fucking guns and weapons I stared stupidly at it.
“Ethan gave me the code,” she said, entering the room. “The guys would flip if they knew he told me, but I guess the cat is out of the bag now.”
I moved past her, taking in everything. The shit they had. It had to be the Vander Veer deal I knew they were doing. They had shit I’d never even seen before.
“Take whatever you need and come back to me,” she said thickly.
“Oh, LeeLee,” I murmured. “I will. I promise.”
I swept through the room and took what I needed before hugging her and kissing the top of her head.
“I’ll be right back,” I said, pulling away from her.
She said nothing, staring at me as I left through the door. I knew if I turned around, I’d be a goner and unable to leave her.
I spotted a blacked-out sports car zooming along a highway, and it didn’t take me two guesses to know who it was.
Dominic De Santis on his way to kick ass.
I followed a small distance behind him, not wanting him to freak out and think he was being tailed when he was already stressed the hell out.
I knew I needed to act, though. I dialed my father. It was important that he knew the situation in case Trent and I didn’t walk out.
“Alessandro,” his deep voice greeted me.
“Father. We have some trouble.” I launched into telling him everything. He was quiet for a moment before he called out to Alessio.
“Get Drake. Alessandro. Where are you?”
I rattled off the address.
“I’ll send Drake. He has a job he needs to do for me, and this works out perfectly."
“I don’t want trouble,” I started. “Father, please?—”
“There will be no trouble, at least for you. For our enemies, yes. Stay safe, my son. Keep your brother safe. I don’t want to lose you.” His words came out softly.
“You won’t,” I promised. “Just please don’t?—”
“Head in the game, Alessandro,” he said sternly. “Focus. I will always do right by you.”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me.
“We’ll talk soon.” He disconnected the call. I exhaled, focusing.
It had been a long time since I’d been in a gunfight, but I’d do this for my family. Maybe I could have some sort of relationship with Dominic after tonight. He may not trust me, but I was willing to try.
I watched Dominic drive his car into the house moments later. Glass burst, and the walls splintered.
I put my car into park, hoping Rosalie could reach the horsemen for backup, and stepped through the rubble, my guns blazing.
It was like riding a bike.
You just didn’t forget how to do it.
I shot and killed the lords indiscriminately, my aim true. I watched as Trent shoved a pretty blonde girl.
Bianca.
She raced out a back patio door into the night.
I made to shoot Tate but was punched in the face, my aim off.
I cursed as he made it out the door, chasing her into the night.
Pissed, I shoved my gun into the guy’s mouth before I roundhouse kicked him in the face, effectively lodging my weapon, or rather one of the horsemen’s, deep into his throat.
I pulled out another weapon and cleaned house. Flames were building around us from some prick setting a fire.
If I never had to do this shit again, it would be too soon.
I managed to help untie a big blond guy who was bleeding before getting a girl off the floor. It was complete chaos.
When the dust settled, there was nothing left. The lords had gotten away, and Trent had fled into the night.
Or so I thought.
Dominic stared at me, his green eyes bright and filled with worry.
“She’s fine,” I murmured, noting how he held his gun. He was a man who was contemplating killing himself right then and there.
He said nothing as he returned to his guys, Vincent talking quickly to him. I ignored what they were doing. It wasn’t my place to say anything. We’d searched the grounds. Bianca was gone.
I prayed Tate hadn’t gotten her, but there was no trace.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to see Cole’s name on the screen.
“Hello?” I said, answering it.
“Hey, Ass Hat,” Cole’s voice greeted me. “Too bad you’re still alive.”
I sighed but didn’t argue with him.
“Bring everyone back to our place. Enzo’s orders. You remember him, right? Your boss?”
I ground my teeth. It would figure Enzo would tell the prick I was working for them.
“I’ll be in touch.” I disconnected the call and went to the guys.
“Enzo said to come to his place,” I said. “You’ll be safe there.”
“Come on, Dom,” Vincent urged softly. “We can regroup and get shit sorted.”
“We have to find her,” Dom whispered. “I’m not leaving until we find her.”
“She’s not here—” Levin said, his voice cracking.
My heart went out to these guys. They loved their girl. I knew that feeling all too well. Dominic’s phone rang, and he immediately answered it.
I listened as he closed his eyes.
“I’m on the way.” Dominic hung up. “She’s with Drake. He has her. At Enzo’s.”
“Thank fuck,” Vincent said, relief washing over his face.
“Come on,” I said. “We can all drive over there.”
Everyone agreed and picked a car to get into. I was left alone to drive, which was fine with me. I got into my car and let out a soft yelp when Trent popped his head up from the backseat.
“Fucking hell,” I grumbled at him. “Warn a guy. You nearly got shot in the fucking head.”
“Sorry.” He climbed into the front seat. “I just didn’t think it was safe for me out there. Not yet, anyway.”
I nodded. It was a good assessment.
“We’re headed to Enzo’s,” I said. “You should come with. We can lay it all out. I think it would be best.”
Trent sighed and put his seatbelt on.
“Fine, but I swear, I avoided a lot of gunfire tonight. If I catch a bullet in my ass after everything, I’m going to be pissed.”
I chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect your ass.”
He grunted, and I put the car into gear, the convoy following me out.