Chapter 13
ANSON
“So E knows?” I asked as Evan sat on Klaus’s couch.
Evan nodded, not saying a word.
I glanced at Klaus. He’d told me in great detail earlier, while Evan napped, what he’d witnessed.
It broke my damn heart.
“Is he going to tell the horsemen?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” Evan whispered. “It doesn’t matter. I did the right thing either way. He deserved to know. He hated Evan.”
“To be fair, I’m pretty sure he hates both Fox and Evan now,” Klaus said.
“Not helping, man,” I said, shooting him a look.
“The truth always helps,” Klaus said. “Evan made a choice. This is the aftermath. He ripped off the band-aid. This is a good thing. We’re back here. Ethan was being a dick. Evan said what needed to be said. If Ethan is half the man I hope he is, he’ll let Evan tell Lorenzo and Cole on his own.”
I grunted. I really hoped E was the man I thought he was. The last thing I wanted was for Enzo and Cole to storm the place with guns drawn. We’d have no choice but to fight back.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked Evan.
“No.”
“OK.” I nodded. “That’s fair. But I’m here—we’re here—if you do, OK?”
He said nothing as he continued to look straight ahead. I cast Klaus a look, and he got up and followed me to the kitchen, where I went through the cupboards to try to find something to cook for dinner.
My phone rang, so I answered it.
“Hey, Alex,” I said as Klaus scoffed at his empty fridge and picked up takeout menus.
Good. I didn’t feel like cooking anyway.
“Can you upload more photos of you guys to Rosalie’s account? We have way too many reporters breathing down my neck here.”
“Uh, yeah. I can do that,” I said.
“I think it’s best if we start pushing her European dates back. Without Rosalie, we can’t do this. Make a statement that, for her mental health and safety, she’s going to take a little break. People will believe that. She’s been going through a lot these last few weeks.”
“I’ll post it tomorrow,” I said. “Move the dates however you need to.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that. I appreciate all you do, man. Has there been any word?”
“Nothing,” I admitted as I listened to Klaus call in some takeout from a burger joint Evan liked.
“Damnit,” Alex muttered. “What the fuck?”
“I don’t know. I miss her,” I admitted.
“Hang in there, Anson. She’s going to be OK.” His voice shook.
“I hope so,” I whispered.
“She will. She’s a strong woman. I know you guys taught her well.”
I swallowed, my throat tight.
“No weird messages or packages either?”
“Nothing. It’s just… odd.”
“It is.” Alex sighed. “We’ll talk soon, OK?”
“Yeah, man. Soon.”
We bid one another goodbye, and I hung up.
“I ordered burgers,” Klaus said.
“I heard,” I murmured, staring out at Evan as he wiped at his eyes.
“He’ll be OK. He needs time. It’s a lot to be going through right now,” Klaus said.
“It’s fucking bullshit. I’ll talk to E.”
“Perhaps, but don’t push it.”
I nodded. I wouldn’t push it unless I had to. Evan was my brother, and I loved him so fucking much. After seeing our daughter today, watching her play with Jameson, Trent’s stepson, all I wanted to do was bring Rosalie home, hold her with my guys, and love on her. Make a baby. Just be a family.
We fucking deserved that.
Evan deserved it.
If Rosalie got to come home, I’d back off and let Evan win her pregnancy. I knew how happy he’d be, and I’d give that to him.
I went back to the living room and sat next to Evan. Klaus’s phone rang, and he swore about fucking clients before leaving the room to go to his office.
Wordlessly, I reached out and pulled Evan into my arms.
He collapsed against me, crying softly.
“Talk to me,” I murmured.
“Ro,” he whispered. “I need her back. I’m losing it, man. I just want her home so we can leave here with Ellis. Fuck this place.”
“I know, brother. Just hang on, OK? We can check out a few other places tomorrow. How does that sound? They might have some information.”
He nodded and hugged me back.
I kissed the top of his head fiercely.
“When Rosalie gets here, you can have the next baby.”
He laughed softly at that. “Deal.”
I smiled as he pulled away from me and wiped at his eyes.
“I’m sorry I’m being such a bitch about this E stuff—”
“You don’t need to apologize to me about anything,” I said. “I get it, man. OK? It’s all good.”
“Thanks.” He gave me a sad smile.
“Klaus ordered burgers. You want to grab a quick nap before they get here?”
“Actually, I do,” he admitted.
“Hang out here on the couch. I’m going to shower. You nap. Klaus can bitch in his office.”
Evan laughed softly at that, bringing me some relief. I didn’t want him in a funk.
I stood, and he settled in on the couch, a throw blanket on him.
I left him and went to the bathroom, where I could hear Klaus bitching at someone who fucked up something.
I chuckled at that.
It was weird how some things changed and broke us while the world just kept on spinning.
I guess that meant we had to keep going.
And so we would. For however long it took.
That was just… life.
But I’d be bringing Rosalie home, because there was no life without her.