Chapter 26
COLE
Iwas going to release her. My plan was to call Church and just come out and tell him everything and hope he didn’t kill me. But honestly, even if he did, I wouldn’t give a fuck.
I’d hurt her. Fucked her. Hell, I didn’t even have the joy of remembering it, but it must have been a hell of a good time because my ass was sore, and she’d definitely fucked me in it.
I wandered into the basement and pulled my key out. I inserted it into the lock and pushed the door open. I hadn’t seen her in two days, at least when she was awake.
“Rosalie,” I started, but my words stalled as I took in the empty bed. “Rosalie?”
I raced to the bathroom, hoping to find her there, but she wasn’t. I came back to the living area and searched the small space, my stomach sick as I realized she was gone.
How? How could she fucking leave? There was no way she could get out of here.
I swallowed hard.
The very real fear of her being taken rushed through me. This was serious.
I had to tell Enzo and E. We needed to find her. They’d freak out on me, but I didn’t give a shit. Someone had taken her.
I panicked and searched the house, but found no trace of her. Quickly, I went to my car and raced back to our apartment and went inside, practicing over and over in my head how I was going to tell the guys how badly I’d fucked up.
Enzo and E were both sitting on the couch, the TV on, as I walked in.
“Hey, can we talk?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“Sure.” Enzo nodded for me to sit. “What’s up?”
I looked around and frowned. “Is that a new TV?”
“It is. I’m surprised you noticed,” Enzo said.
E said nothing.
Something was going on.
“What do you want to talk about?” Enzo asked.
“Um, I-I need to tell you guys something.”
“Wait. I have to tell you something first. Actually, I need to show you what I’m doing upstairs.” Enzo got to his feet.
“Enzo, man, I need to talk to you—”
“I know, but this is really important. I’ve been waiting all day for you to get home so I can show you.”
I sighed, knowing he wouldn’t relent, so I followed him upstairs.
“Tell me what you think,” he said, opening the door to the spare room. I stared inside to find Rosalie sleeping peacefully in the bed.
I swallowed hard, relief flooding through me. She was safe. Thank fuck.
“I can explain.”
Enzo closed her door and shoved me hard against the wall.
“I sure fucking hope so,” he snarled. “Because her very big, very pissed off husband was here to tear apart our apartment and punch me in the face before he pressed his bat to my fucking throat. Riot was here when it happened.”
“Fuck, man. I-I’m sorry—” I started, but Enzo smacked me several times on the head.
“You fucking idiot! What the fuck is the matter with you? Huh? Why did you fucking think kidnapping her was a good idea? Huh? What the fuck, Cole!” He slammed me against the wall and hit me again.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry! I-I missed her—”
“I miss my fucking parents, but you don’t see me out in the fucking cemetery digging up their bodies!
What the fuck! The problems you just started!
Fucking Church gets wind of this, and we’re dead.
Do you understand that? Riot will be without his father.
Do you fucking want E to get killed over this shit?
Do you want me to get killed? You? Huh? Think, motherfucker!
” He hit me again. “I told you to fucking stop! I fucking told you! You never fucking listen!” He slammed me once more against the wall.
“I know. I fucking know! I’m sorry!” I cried, hating myself for the shit storm I’d caused. Enzo’s eyes were black and blue. His lip was busted. An ugly bruise graced his cheek.
Fuck. Her husband had to be a big guy to get the upper hand on Enzo.
I swallowed hard.
“I’ll take the fall. It’s all on me,” I whispered. “You guys will be safe. I won’t let anything happen—”
“Fucking idiot!” Enzo released me and stormed away, leaving me standing there, tears on my face.
I knew I’d messed up.
I’d messed up even more by fucking her. Of course, I wouldn’t have fucked her if I wasn’t high on the wrong fucking sugar.
I walked away from her door and went downstairs to Enzo’s office, where he sat with his head in his hands behind his desk. I turned his chair and went to my knees.
“Enzo,” I choked out.
He looked down at me.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“I know.”
My bottom lip trembled. “I-I will take the necessary steps to fix this.”
“I know,” he said again.
I cried softly. “I just… I got to spend time with her. She’s still Rosebud. I missed her so much, but she’s still there. She’s still…”
I stopped talking. She wasn’t still my girl.
“She’s not,” Enzo said gently. “Cole, five years ago, when we walked away from her, I knew it was over. I lied to you about it. I knew she wasn’t coming back.
I knew we weren’t. I honestly thought you’d get it, but you didn’t, and that’s just another sin of mine.
I’m sorry for hurting you and making you believe in something that wasn’t real.
” He cradled my face. “We lost our family years ago. We’re broken. I don’t want to lose you, too.”
I rested my head in his lap as he raked his fingers through my hair.
“She’s moved on. She has new guys,” I whispered.
“I assumed as much when they busted into our house,” he murmured. “Her marriage to Anson was a publicity stunt. She’s married to a man named Evan, but Anson is part of the group. So is Klaus. I don’t know about Ryder, but I assume so.”
More tears fell.
She wasn’t lying. She really did have new guys. A new life. She didn’t need me anymore.
I wouldn’t have been taking her from Anson, whom I hated. I’d have been ripping her away from finding happiness after all the pain we’d caused her. She was free of this level of darkness. She was out of this life.
It’s what Foxy always wanted, and I had the fucking balls to try to drag her back.
Foxy would be so angry and disappointed with me.
I hated me.
“I’m going to call Anson and let him know she’s here and to come collect her. Tomorrow. So get the closure you need, brother. It’s over.”
I sat up and stared at him, my chest aching, but I nodded.
It was over.