Chapter 54 Anson
FIFTY-FOUR
ANSON
“What the fuck is this?” I asked Trent as I stared down at the pictures he’d just sent to my phone.
“Those are pictures of your boy making out with Celeste Vander Veer,” Trent replied, sitting on my couch next to Ryder.
I swallowed hard, unable to believe what I was seeing.
“How?” I asked, looking up from the image of Enzo kissing Celeste on a sidewalk in front of a restaurant. It definitely didn’t look like he was there against his will.
Fury churned in my guts.
Rosalie.
She likely didn’t know.
Fucking prick. Motherfucking asshole.
I steadied my breathing.
“We were out last night, picking up chicks,” Ryder said.
“Failing, mind you,” Trent added.
Ryder rolled his eyes at him. “Anyway, we decided to go to Grand’s and grab some burgers since the pussy population was low for a Tuesday night. We were sitting inside, getting some food, and saw this from our window.”
I stared down at the image before swiping to the next one and the next.
His hands on her. A deep kiss. Him putting her into a car. Waving to her. Pulling his phone out. Getting into his car.
“You need to tell Rosalie,” Trent said. “She deserves to know. I doubt she does, you know?”
I swallowed. “This would kill her. She lives and breathes for these guys.”
“What do you think it would do if you don’t tell her?” Ryder pressed. “I mean… I don’t know, man. Here’s your chance. Go get your girl.”
My hands shook as I darkened the screen.
“I-I can’t. I’m getting married—”
Trent scoffed. “You’re not going to fucking marry Bianca, Anson. Stop that shit. You’re keeping her safe until Carmine fucks off. Dad told me he wants you and Rosalie together. He said you’re being a dumbass.”
“He did not call me a dumbass,” I snapped.
“You’re right.” Trent shrugged. “He said fool. I was highlighting it for effect.”
I scowled at him. “I can’t…”
“You said the other day during one of your drunken moments that you promised Fox,” Ryder murmured. “Are you breaking that promise?”
I groaned and rubbed my eyes. “I don’t want to break that promise. I can’t do shit about any of it. She has to want to leave. I can’t just bust into their house and take her.”
Trent nodded to my phone. “There’s how you do it. You have the smoking gun.”
I stared down at the images again and swore softly.
“Why the fuck would he do this to her? After everything? Fucking asshole,” I said, shaking my head.
I looked to Trent. “Only Enzo? Cole wasn’t there?”
“Nope.” Trent nodded to my phone. “We watched the entire thing. Enzo was the only one.”
“He had his security detail nearby, but that’s it. Nothing else,” Ryder added.
I sighed and closed my eyes. I had no idea what I was going to do. I spent a lot of time with Bianca. Her babies were due soon. Once she’d given birth and I’d made sure the babies were safe, things could change. But fuck. I needed at least another month. Just one good fucking month.
“The last time you hesitated, everything was fucked up,” Ryder said gently. “Anson, man, you have to tell her.”
I opened my eyes and stared at my friend for a moment. He was right. The last time, Enzo fucked me over. Here was my chance to give it right back to him.
Sighing, I scrolled through my phone and sent a text to Colten.
Anson: Hey, can we talk?
I waited several minutes before a reply came in.
Colten: Sure.
“We’ll be down at the store. This place doesn’t have fuck all for snacks,” Ryder said, nodding for Trent to go with him. “And it looks like we need more beer.”
I gave him a grateful smile. I knew he was giving me some privacy.
I exhaled.
Anson: How is Rosalie? Did she make it home?
Colten: She’s…Idk. Probably worse? She got home the following morning looking like hell. I was trying not to be seen in the kitchen. Sounds like Enzo thinks she was out with some guy all night. He was pissed. My brother, well, he’s not handling any of it very well.
I frowned at that information. Who the hell would Rosalie be out all night with? I was her only male friend outside her horsemen. She was never close to anyone in classes.
Colten: Jamie talked to her. Asked her what happened. I’m guessing she told her, but she won’t tell me. I tried.
Anson: Aside from that, is everything OK?
Colten: It’s really the same, man. My brother is all up in his feels over her.
She won’t speak to him. In fact, she’s stopped letting the kings in too.
Jamie is the only one she will see. E is just…
fucked. He spends his time in the basement or screaming at night from nightmares.
It’s like living in hell here. I’m actually going to be heading out soon.
I have some shit I have to deal with back at home.
Anson: Do you know if Enzo has been leaving to have meetings with anyone?
I wasn’t even sure if he’d answer me. Colten was a lot more pleasant to deal with than Cole was. I wasn’t sure how deep his loyalty to Enzo ran. I assumed it was deep when it came to Cole, though.
It took him a minute to reply to me.
Colten: He has been leaving in the evenings.
He always does. Cole and he have been going to separate places.
I don’t know where they’re going or what they’re doing.
I stay here with Jamie and keep an eye on E and Rosalie.
That’s it. I’m not really in the know unless Cole tells me.
I’ve made it a point to keep my nose out of shit.
The less I know, the less I can take the fall for, if you know what I mean.
I scrubbed my hand down my face and blew out a breath.
I decided fuck it, maybe he’d tell Rosalie since I couldn’t bring myself just to send her random pictures of Enzo with another woman.
Plus, I didn’t even know if Cole had taken her phone from her.
If she was going to find out, someone had to tell her face-to-face.
Colten seemed close to Jamie, so maybe he’d tell her and she’d tell Rosalie.
I hated it, but it was better than her never knowing.
Anson: I’m going to send you photos. I’m torn on what to do.
Rosalie is hurting, and I don’t want her to hurt anymore.
I care about her. I don’t think these are images that should be sent to her phone randomly.
I want to show her myself and be there for her, but I know that’s an impossibility since Cole and Enzo have made it clear there will be violence.
I don’t want to put you in a difficult position, but I also can’t just sit back and do nothing. I hope you understand.
I attached the image of Enzo kissing Celeste and stared down at the message for a long time, my chest aching.
I didn’t know what the fuck to do. Eventually, I gave in and hit send, really hoping Colten would step in.
He seemed like a guy who was neutral and cared about Rosalie.
I was really fucking banking on his morals.
I sat back, my heart in my throat. My phone was silent for at least half an hour before the screen lit up with Colten’s name.
Clearing my throat, I answered.
“Hello?”
“Where did you get that picture?” Colten asked in a hushed voice.
“One of my friends saw them and took the photo. They sent it to me.” I didn’t want to rat out Trent and Ryder.
Colten swore softly.
“My advice is don’t get involved with this shit. Enzo is a dangerous man. He’d put a hit out on you. I know your old man is a big deal, but Enzo is too. And when it comes to Rosalie? Cole wouldn’t hesitate. You know that.”
“I know, but I can’t stand by—”
“I don’t think she could handle it,” Colten cut in. “I don’t, man. If you need to tell her, do it, but not right now. Now isn’t the time. She’s barely dealing with Fox’s death. Enzo doing this shit will gut her. If you care like you say you do, wait it out. Even just a few more weeks.”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “OK. I just… I don’t want this for her.”
He let out a sigh. “I don’t either. Enzo fucked up. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but my brother…” He went silent for a moment. “Cole loves Rosalie. Legit love, Anson. He’d die for her. You know that.”
“I do,” I said thickly.
“He’d also kill for her. Just don’t. OK?”
“I’ll wait.”
“Good. It’s hard to call off Cole when shit gets going. Perhaps I can talk to Cole and gather some information. I’ll be in touch. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“I appreciate this,” I said earnestly. “I do.”
“I think you’re probably a decent guy. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you’re dealing with this shit. We’ll talk soon.”
“Thanks.”
We disconnected the call, and I closed my eyes.
When the fuck did everything decide to fall apart?
I wasn’t so sure I could fix any of it, and it was breaking my damn heart.