68. Rosalie
SIXTY-EIGHT
ROSALIE
“ H ey,” I said as I stepped off the last stair and nearly collided with Bianca. We’d not formally met yet, so this was perfect. “Bianca, right?”
I held my hand out for her to shake. She didn’t hesitate. Immediately, she shook it and smiled at me.
“I made you breakfast,” I said. I’d gone upstairs to wake Fox since he said he didn’t want to sleep in. I nodded for her to follow me to the kitchen.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, glancing at the little bump I knew she was hiding beneath her sweater. I quickly put together a plate for her and handed it over.
“I’m fine," she replied while sitting at the island.
I poured her some juice and looked at her stomach again. “And the babies?”
I was scared that something was wrong. Seeing her brought into our house in her condition had me on edge. All I could think about was losing Blossom. Seeing Bianca the way she was only reminded me of that awful experience.
“Fine. My doctor says everything is good.” She took a bite of her food and let out a soft noise of appreciation.
“Oh, that’s awesome. I was so worried.” I sat beside her. “Everything else OK?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I guess. I mean, everything seems so. . . unreal.”
I sighed, deciding I could be forthcoming with her since she lived a life similar to mine. “I know. I’ve been there before. You’re not alone in any of this, so you know. If you need anything, I’m here.”
“Thank you.” She gave me a smile before clearing her throat. “I heard you’re a singer.”
“I’m trying to be. It takes me away from all this madness, but honestly, it’s never far enough.”
“You don’t like this life?” she asked.
I shook my head and sighed again. “I love my guys. I hate this life. Like, I loathe it. I’m just hoping maybe one day I’ll wake up, and this will have all been a nightmare, and Enzo will be an accountant or something.
” I laughed. “When I told him that, he told me in another life that maybe he would have been, but this is our life, and I must get used to it.”
“Dream killer,” she muttered.
I was quiet for a moment before speaking. “Can I tell you something, and you won’t tell Enzo?”
She nodded, her eyes focused on me.
“I don’t have anyone to talk to about this stuff. A female who is in the same situation, at least. I-I worry that my dreams really will die with me here.” The confession blew out of me, leaving me to feel deflated.
“You think this life will kill you?” she whispered, putting her fork down.
I nodded, my throat tight and my eyes burning with unshed tears. “Or take one of them from me.”
“I-I have the same fear.”
I wiped quickly at my falling tears before hugging her. She fell into the embrace immediately and held me back. She knew exactly what I was talking about. I hated that she did, but it offered me some semblance of comfort to know I wasn’t alone in how I felt.
I wiped my eyes and pulled away, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.
“The horsemen must be a handful. You’re really strong to deal with them.”
“I could say the same thing about you. The kings? Talk about intimidating. And five of them?” I shook my head at her, Dominic flashing in my mind. He was a beautiful man, but terrifying. I imagined people thought that when they looked at Enzo. They both had that dominance about them.
“You have Cole.” She shrugged and gave me a knowing smile.
I laughed. “He definitely could count as two.”
“I heard my name.” Cole entered the room and kissed me sweetly before taking my fork and eating my breakfast.
“You smelled food,” I said, chuckling at him.
His blue eyes sparkled as he smiled back at me. “You know me too well, Rosebud.” He put my fork down and kissed me again, ignoring our guest, but that was just how Cole was. I wouldn’t have him any other way.
“Hey, baby,” Vincent called out, coming into the room and going straight to Bianca to kiss her.
“Mm,” she answered, snuggling against him. “Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting?”
“I am.” He pecked her lips. “You taste like magic, honey B.”
I smiled at his words as Cole released me. Vincent did seem like the charmer. He reminded me of Ethan.
She laughed at him and offered her breakfast. He quickly chewed it and kissed her again.
“Come on. We have a meeting,” he said, urging her off the stool. I knew they’d planned to meet with Enzo and the guys about their next move. I had some stuff to do today with Anson, and then I had to get ready for dinner tonight with Alex.
Anson came into the room right as I was thinking about him.
“Hey, Ass Hat,” Cole grumbled, glaring openly at him. I nudged Cole in the side, not wanting this to happen today.
“Pretty boy,” Anson replied.
Cole scowled at him. I rested my hand on him, hoping it would chill him out.
“I’m here to collect a pretty little package,” Anson continued, smiling at me. I grinned back at him, eager to leave the stuffy house and work on music.
“Is it my fist? Because I feel like it’s my fist.” Cole quickly approached Anson, but I grabbed his hand to stop him. I wish Enzo or Fox were here to help me. I wasn’t so sure I could stop Cole once he got going.
“Please. We’re not doing this. Ani, please stop antagonizing him. Cole. Same thing.” I gave both a stern look as I stood between them. Cole shot Anson the bird, and Anson shook his head. I sighed and gave Cole a warning look.
“What? I’m done now.” Cole grabbed me and crushed his lips to mine in a pornographic kiss. I let him, kissing him back and hoping it would chill him out so he wasn’t trying to tear the heads off our guests.
“Go to your meeting,” I said as I stared into his blue eyes. “I’m going to be late.”
“So?” He kissed me again. “Fuck it all. Come upstairs with me.”
“I can’t.” I broke the next kiss off, knowing Anson was still standing there. “When I get home, OK?”
“Promise?”
“Promise. I won’t be home until really late, though, OK?”
“What? Why?”
“I, um, have a big day of music writing planned. We want to get ahead on some stuff.”
Cole scowled but let out a sigh and nodded. “Enzo sending men?”
“I doubt it. I’ll be with Anson.”
Cole grunted but didn’t push it. He kissed me again before letting me go.
“I love you, Rosebud,” he whispered so only I could hear him.
“I love you, too.”
“Take care of her, prick. If she’s hurt—” He glared at Anson.
“I would die before I let that happen,” Anson said, openly glaring back at him.
Cole rolled his eyes and gave him the finger. “Bye, baby. Anson, fuck you.”
And with those words, he left us alone. I sighed and looked at Anson, who shook his head.
“Ready?” I asked.
“Born that way,” he said, nodding for me to follow him out. I did, leaving behind a silent prayer that everything would work out the way it was meant to.
Whatever that meant.