Chapter 78 Rosalie
SEVENTY-EIGHT
ROSALIE
After a long conversation with Jamie, I found out Cole was likely sharing Enzo’s new wife with him.
It hurt, but I appreciated her honesty about the possibility. It made sense because Cole and Enzo did everything together.
She advised me to keep pushing forward and to live my life in such a way that they’d live in misery knowing I was doing what they hated—other guys.
I laughed at that, but maybe she was right.
She called it the “needing a hoe phase.” She said she’d skipped hers and regretted it.
Now it was the weekend, and I didn’t have to work for the next four days, so I sat staring out the window in my hotel room, wondering if I should take Klaus up on his offer.
After the apartment situation with him, where we narrowly avoided dying, he said he had an apartment I could stay at.
His.
He mentioned he didn’t spend much time there, and I was welcome to take one of the bedrooms if I wanted.
I laughed and told him no at the time, but after viewing countless apartments that wouldn’t work out for one reason or another, I was getting desperate. Hotel living wasn’t cheap.
I knew I had the money Fox left me, but I didn’t want to spend it. It felt like I’d be letting go of pieces of him at a time.
The thought made me panic, so I transferred all his money into a new savings account to keep it separate from my own. His Jeep still sat at our house. I couldn’t bring myself to take it from his parking spot. I had no idea what Enzo planned on doing with it.
I hoped it sat as a shrine to remind him of all the shit he’d done to ruin countless lives.
Some of my clothes from the house had been delivered to me today at the hotel, so clearly, Enzo was cleaning the place out.
Sighing, I looked at my watch. It was almost nine, and I was bored. Deciding maybe I should take Jamie’s advice and go out and meet new people, I got up and grabbed one of the many dresses that had made their way to me.
A red number Cole had picked out caught my eye. Short. Low cut. I stared down at it, wanting to put it on and have someone else kiss me while wearing it.
It was messed up, but hey, love and hate could really screw with a girl’s head.
I stripped down, then put on the dress and added strappy black heels. I did my makeup and fluffed my curls before staring at myself in the mirror.
Nervously, I breathed out.
I could do this.
For a moment, I considered calling Ryder to see if he wanted to hang out. I could be a wing woman for him. But then I thought about his connection to Anson and decided against it.
I left the hotel and hailed a cab, telling him to take me to any club where I could drink without issues.
He said he knew a perfect place.
After a ride through the city, we stopped at a place called Blades. It looked fancy.
“You shouldn’t have an issue getting in,” the driver said, looking at me through the rearview mirror. “Not looking like that.”
I thanked him and checked out the line to get in. For a moment, I thought about running back to the cab. Waiting in a long line all night didn’t sound like fun. Instead, I forced myself forward, figuring I’d try my luck at the door. If they wouldn’t let me in, I’d just find another place.
I walked past the people waiting in line, the pounding music from the club echoing outside.
“Um, hi,” I said awkwardly.
The large bouncer looked at me. “Name?”
“Name?”
“For the list. You only get in if your name is on the list,” he said. “Otherwise, you have to wait in line.”
“Oh, um, Rosalie Bishop,” I said, wincing. This was going to be embarrassing when my name didn’t pop up.
He scanned the list for a moment before nodding and letting me pass through the velvet rope.
Dumbfounded, I went to the door.
What the hell?
Figuring not to tempt fate, I stepped into the club.
Lavish didn’t even begin to describe the place. Purples. Reds. Blues. Greens. Velvet. Huge dance floor. Three levels. So many bars. A stage.
“Wow,” I murmured, staring at it all.
Carefully, I made my way through the crowd and sat at an available stool at the bar.
“What can I get you, beautiful?” the bartender asked.
“Something fruity,” I said.
Chuckling, he got to work. Before long, he slid a fruity drink at me, complete with a little umbrella. I wiggled in my seat as I sipped it, watching all the people dance and have a good time.
It was a nice place. The cab driver did right by me.
I finished my third drink before gaining the confidence to go to the dance floor.
Feeling a little freer than when I started the night, I joined the crowd and danced to the music with them. A few guys danced on me, but no one bothered me past that.
I danced back, and no one made a move to attack them.
That was refreshing.
Big, warm hands slid around my waist as I moved, a hard body joining me.
I danced back for a moment before turning to find myself staring at Klaus.
He smirked down at me, dressed in black, and looking like a fallen angel.
“I should have known it was you,” I said loudly.
He leaned down, his lips at my ear. “You just love turning up in places you shouldn’t be, don’t you?”
“Maybe.” I danced away from him, leaving him to stand there. People gave him a wide berth.
It was no wonder. The man was fierce. He looked terrifying from a distance. Up close could stop your heart.
I danced through two songs with the crowd before I needed another drink. I went to the bar and ordered one, and the bartender slid it across to me with a note.
I frowned at the note as I unfolded it.
“Third floor. Come. -K”
Klaus.
He was probably going to try to take me out of here. I attempted to hand the bartender money, but he shook his head at me.
Sighing, I took my drink to the third floor. Security let me through without issue—clearly VIP.
“Back corner,” one of the men said as if they knew exactly who I was looking for.
I walked where instructed, earning looks along the way. It was way quieter up here, that was for sure.
Klaus was in the back corner, just like security said. I went to him, noting he was alone.
“Little hummingbird,” he said, gesturing for me to sit, so I did. “Do you like that drink?”
I nodded and sucked a little from my straw.
A tiny smirk played on his lips. He never smiled when he was with Matteo. When they were apart, he was a completely different person.
“Are you happy?” I asked, feeling a little tipsy.
He raised his brows at me. “I’m not sad.”
“But are you happy?”
“Are you?”
I shrugged. “I’m drunk. Guess it’s the same thing. Answer the question.”
“Demanding little thing.” Another smile. “I am happy.”
“Why?” I sipped my drink again. “What makes you happy?”
“You.” He trained his bright blue eyes on me without flinching.
I let out a breathy, nervous laugh and squirmed in my seat. “Me? You said I was a pain in your ass a few days ago.”
“I said if you lived in that apartment, you’d be a pain in my ass. Big difference.”
I rolled my eyes and looked around. “Is this your club?”
“Matteo’s,” he said.
“Ah, it’s your night to babysit all the mayhem, huh?”
“It is.” He continued to smile at me.
“Is it safe to assume you guys own, like, ninety-nine percent of the clubs in this city?”
“More like ninety. Lorenzo and the Russians have their hands in a few.”
I grunted at the mention of Enzo’s name. He was the last person I wanted to think about. Being in the car with him had made me want to scream. I wanted him, but he’d hurt me to the point I was losing my mind. Seeing a wedding ring on his finger made me want to vomit.
I looked back at Klaus. “Let’s say I wanted to go to a club you didn’t own. That was just a normal club without your or my cheating ex’s name on it. Where might I find one of those?”
His eyes sparkled. “We do not own The Falcon House. You could try there. It’s just a boring old club.”
“Perfect.” I finished my drink and got to my feet.
He seemed amused by me. He stood too. I stared up at his massive form.
“I’m leaving,” I said.
“I can read the room.” He chuckled.
I shrugged and left, heading down the stairs. I didn’t even realize he was behind me until I tripped on a rugged crack on the sidewalk and almost ate cement.
His hands landed on my waist before my knees hit the ground.
“Easy,” he said, righting me. “Sidewalks are tricky.”
“Oh, man. Are you following me?”
“No. I’m going for a walk,” he said innocently, following me as I wandered down the sidewalk.
“I feel like you’re following me,” I called over my shoulder.
His laughter sounded out around me.
“Which way to Falcon’s Nest?” I slurred out, stopping and looking around.
“The Falcon House. It’s the opposite direction,” he said conversationally.
I turned and headed in the opposite direction, him walking beside me.
“You’re following me,” I accused four blocks into our journey.
“I’m not. I’m strolling.”
I snorted. “Strolling. The great and powerful daddy Klaus Seeley is out for a midnight stroll in his overpriced suit and his shirt unbuttoned.” I let out a laugh. “You know you scare people, right?”
I stopped and turned to him.
“Do I scare you?” he asked.
I stared up at him. “Sometimes.”
I shivered and rubbed my arms. He immediately took his suit jacket off and draped it around my shoulders.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
I looked past him and frowned.
“There’s a black SUV following us,” I said.
“Yes. It has been since you were walking the wrong direction.”
“Are they your men?”
“No.”
“Aren’t you a little concerned?” I widened my eyes at him.
“No.”
“We’re about to get murdered, and you’re OK with that? Are you drunk?”
He laughed. “Relax. They’re De Luca’s men. They’re watching you.”
I sighed and glanced to see them idling near a curb several feet away.
“Jerks don’t even try to stay hidden,” I muttered, pulling my phone out.
He watched interestedly as I tapped furiously at my phone. I put it to my ear, and it rang several times before Enzo’s deep voice came on the line.
“Call your fucking men off me,” I snarled. “I told you to leave me alone. I don’t need your shitty security detail.”
“Where are you?” he asked, shuffling around. I was sure I could hear Cole in the background.
“None of your damn business. Call your dogs off, Enzo. I’m serious. I will slash their tires if they keep following me.”
“Rosalie, you’re drunk. Where are you?” he demanded, his voice a soft snarl. I knew that voice. It was the overprotective voice he always used on me.
It pissed me off.
“I’ll come get you. Take you to your hotel. Give me the address. I don’t want to have to call my men for the information—”
I let out a snarl and invited him to a video call as I dug into my clutch and pulled out a knife he’d given me long ago. His handsome face came onto the screen. He was in a high-rise somewhere. I could see the city lights behind him. Seeing him looking so breathtaking pissed me off more.
Storming forward, I went to his men’s SUV. Klaus watched from the sidewalk without saying a word.
When I reached the SUV, I shouted into the phone at Enzo.
“Call them off! Fucking do it, Enzo.”
“Rosalie, come on,” he said. “I’m trying to make sure you’re safe. Your safety matters to me—”
I let out a shriek and plunged my knife into the tire of the SUV. The men jumped out of the vehicle.
“Jake, you asshole! Fuck you! Stop following me!” I shouted, pulling out the knife and stabbing the tire again.
I could hear Enzo screaming at me on the phone as I rushed to the other front tire and rammed my knife into it.
“Fucking follow me now!” I screamed. “Assholes!”
“What the fuck? Rosalie!” Jake shouted. “Hey, we’re just doing our job—”
I made to go to the back tire, but Klaus grabbed me. With ease, he lifted me over his shoulder as I cursed Jake and the other two men who were swearing outside the car.
“Who the fuck are you with?” Enzo snarled into the phone.
I was hanging upside down over Klaus’s shoulder as I stared into the phone. I let out a laugh, my head spinning.
“None of your goddamn business. Stop following me,” I said. “Or I’ll fucking stab you next.”
I disconnected the call as Klaus continued to walk with me over his shoulder.
“You’re really strong,” I called out to him, as Enzo tried to call again. I turned my phone off. He could go to hell, even if it did hurt my heart to think it. The alcohol made me a little sassier. I needed that.
“And you’re a violent little thing,” he said. “Little crazy, too.”
A fancy car pulled up beside us, and he placed me on my feet before opening the back door.
He helped me inside and then joined me.
“The Falcon House,” he said to the driver.
I looked over at him in surprise. I thought for sure he’d take me to Matteo’s so I could be reprimanded.
He smirked, but he didn’t look at me.
“I like crazy. Let’s see what you got, hummingbird.”
I grinned, feeling truly free for the first time in my life.