Chapter 88 Ethan
EIGHTY-EIGHT
ETHAN
Ihadn’t attended a meeting in months, but here I was, sitting across from Matteo De Santis and his men inside an upscale restaurant that I knew shady business dealings went down in.
There was no way I was going to stay home, though. Rosalie was missing, and I wanted fucking answers.
“I’m surprised you showed,” Matteo said smoothly. He was a terrifying presence, and that was saying something since I was a horseman. We had the Saints with Jake, Randy, and two other men behind us as Cole, Enzo, and I sat at the table across from Matteo, Alessio, Klaus, Anson, and Drake.
Drake.
He was in some shit, that was for sure. He hadn’t said a word, but I knew he was there to carry out business should it come down to it. Judging by what I learned about him, I didn’t doubt he’d put a bullet in our heads as a means to keep his shit on the down low.
Several of Matteo’s men stood behind them.
I breathed out and looked over at Anson, who seemed exceptionally pissed off. I’d never seen him look like he was struggling with quiet fury before. He gave off some major Matteo energy.
“Why wouldn’t I show? My girl is missing,” Enzo answered.
“Your girl?” Matteo nodded to Enzo’s wedding band. “I didn’t take Rosalie as a side piece.”
“Fuck you,” Cole snarled. “Piece of shit. I know you have her. This is your way of trying to start a fucking war with us—”
“If I had her, I would not be wasting my time here,” Matteo snapped, his eyes flashing. “I assure you, Mr. Scott, I have more pressing matters to deal with.”
“We only want to get this sorted,” I whispered. “Please. Wherever she is could be bad. E-Everett wasn’t f-found. If he has her…” I shook, my breathing picking up.
“E,” Cole murmured.
I knew he wanted me to keep my shit together. I wasn’t so sure I’d be able to. It would make us look weak if I lost it.
Anson slid a wrapped candy across the table at me.
My chest heaved as I reached for it. No emotion registered on his face, but I knew well enough he was being kind.
With shaking hands, I unwrapped the candy and popped it into my mouth, wincing at how sour it was. Matteo looked from me to Anson, but he didn’t say anything.
“How about asking this German fuck where she is?” Cole continued, glaring at Klaus, who sat silently next to Matteo. A massive man made of pure muscle, I couldn’t imagine Cole and him fighting. Cole was a big man, but Klaus? Fuck. I was surprised Klaus hadn’t killed him.
“Klaus has divulged his side. We want to hear yours,” Matteo said.
“I saw her kissing that prick.” Cole scowled at Klaus. “I waited for her in the bathroom. When she came in, because I know her, I… talked to her.” Cole shifted and looked at his hands.
Anson narrowed his eyes at Cole. “What did you do?”
“Fuck you, Ass Hat—”
“Cole, we’re trying to find her,” Enzo murmured. “Come on.”
“I fucked her,” he snapped, eyes flashing as he glared at Klaus. “How does that make you feel, big man? I fucked her, and she took all my cock. Eager for it. You want to know why?” Cole leaned forward.
I glanced uneasily at Klaus, who tightened his hands into fists, then at Anson, who was clearly just as close to the edge as Klaus was.
This wasn’t going to end well at this rate.
Cole needed to stop. I knew how he could get and the shit he’d done in the past to her when he lost it.
I didn’t like it, and knowing how lost our girl was, this was unlikely to help any of us.
I sucked harder on the candy, really trying to remain calm.
“Because she loves me. She fucking loves me, not you, you fucking giant prick! She would never love someone like you! When I fuck her, she screams for me. She comes for me. You were the last fucking thing on her mind.”
Klaus snarled something in German and got to his feet, whipping his gun out at the same time and pointing it at Cole’s face.
It was mayhem as more guns were drawn.
I sat, really fucking hoping someone just shot me and put me out of my misery. It would be a fitting end.
“Enough,” Matteo snarled. “We are here for a common cause, and while killing one another is appealing, it is not today’s purpose. Put your guns away.”
It took a moment, but guns were tucked away. Klaus remained on his feet.
I listened as Matteo and Alessio spoke in German to Klaus. Finally, Klaus sat, the fury radiating off him in waves.
“So an outside force has taken Rosalie,” Matteo said, looking back at us.
“It would seem so,” Enzo murmured. He’d been too quiet the entire time. I knew he was assessing everything. It had me in knots. The idea that Everett may have her was flooding my veins.
The candy wasn’t enough. With a shaking hand, I dug into my jacket pocket and pulled out a sugar stick. I lit it up and took several deep, fortifying drags. Matteo stared at me for a moment, but he didn’t address it.
“Anson, please make a call to our very special friend,” Matteo said, looking away from me. “See what he has to say.”
Wordlessly, Anson stood and left the room. I had no idea who the special friend was, but I prayed he had some answers. This was going to fucking kill me. If something happened to her…
FUCK.
I smoked more, the high blanketing me.
“We don’t want any issues,” Enzo said. “We want to ensure Rosalie’s safety.”
“It wouldn’t matter,” Matteo replied, waving his hand dismissively.
“While up and coming, you haven’t arrived, Lorenzo.
I would decimate you without batting an eyelash.
The only reason you still survive is because of Rosalie.
If she is not found, I will come for you, and if I don’t?
” He let out a soft, sinister laugh. “I’m sure my brother will.
He seems a little on edge as of late, considering you had a hand in his son’s death. ”
“I didn’t kill Fox,” Enzo snarled, his dark eyes flashing with both pain and anger. “I would have died for him.”
“And yet you didn’t.” Matteo sat back and studied him. “Had you, sweet Rose wouldn’t be missing, and people wouldn’t be mourning.”
I glanced at Enzo to see his hands trembling.
“You were my father’s best friend,” Enzo said softly. “He cared about you. I’m sure he still did until he drew his last breath.”
“Your father is the reason I lost Delilah. The reason my children grew up without me. The reason my daughter is dead,” Matteo said in a chilling voice.
“Your father is the reason,” Enzo answered. “Carmine. He is the one who caused you pain. Everyone else just tried to save what was left.”
Matteo’s nostrils flared. Alessio reached out and rested a hand on Matteo’s shoulders, and Klaus sat forward.
I really thought we were all going to get shot, but Anson returned to the room and broke the rising tension.
“He said he has no information to give.” Anson sat and rubbed his eyes. “That the slate is clear, but if anything comes up, he will reach out. He said he will be looking into it.”
Matteo nodded and rapped his knuckles on the table. “So be it. Horsemen.” He rose to his feet, his men, Drake, and Anson following.
“You have an open channel with Alessandro and Alessio. If information arises, I agree to inform you, and I hope that you return in kind. If she isn’t found soon, or is found dead, I will kill you all. Have a nice day.”
He didn’t stay to get input; he swept from the room with his men, leaving us to sit in his wake.
“She’s out there,” Cole said fiercely. “We will find her.”
“What if she doesn’t want to be found?” I asked softly. “Have we considered that?”
Enzo sighed. “I don’t even know anymore. I-I won’t stop looking until I have answers.”
I wouldn’t either, so when everyone got up, I followed, sending out a silent prayer that Everett Church didn’t have her and that wherever she was, she was at least happy.
It’s all I ever wanted for her.