31. Enzo
ENZO
Istood outside Rosalie’s mansion gates two days after E hacked off the head of one of Virelli’s men.
I’d left home, telling E to watch Cole and handle business. Cole wasn’t speaking to me at this point, but I deserved that after the shit I’d done.
He didn’t know I’d left for California. As far as he knew, I was on a business trip. I made E vow not to tell him.
I was here for several reasons, but one of them was to deliver some information. They didn’t know I was coming, but I figured it was better this way.
“Do you have an appointment?” One of the armed guards asked at the gate.
“I will in a moment,” I muttered, pulling my phone out and dialing Anson.
I really fucking hoped he answered.
“Lorenzo,” his cool voice came over the line four rings in.
“I’m outside your gates. We need to talk,” I said.
Anson was quiet for a moment before he finally spoke.
“I’ll be right there.”
I disconnected the call and stared at the four armed men.
“Klaus handpicked you?”
“I know who you are,” one of the guards said, ignoring my question. “You’re Lorenzo De Luca.”
I inclined my head. “I am.”
Two of the guards shot one another knowing looks.
“She’s married,” the one guard continued. “So you’re wasting your time here.”
I scoffed. “If I wanted her, she’d be mine, wedding ring be damned. I am here for a meeting with Anson. Nothing more.”
The men eyed me, and we all went silent. Finally, Anson arrived and gestured for the gates to be opened.
I stepped inside and followed him wordlessly to the golf cart he’d driven over.
“What’s going on?” he demanded as we pulled away.
“I may have a lead on the stalker situation,” I said, glancing at him. A muscle thrummed along his jaw. “I would have called, but I figured a visit was more important.”
“You won’t be well-received,” Anson replied.
“I understand.”
“Tell me what you know,” he continued.
“I’d prefer to meet with Evan and Klaus as well, if you don’t mind. And Rosalie. I need to speak to her.”
He let out a bitter laugh. “Not happening.”
“We’ll see,” I murmured, catching the glint off his new wedding band.
Fucking asshole.
He only shook his head as we continued to the mansion. It appeared finally, and I took it in. Cole wasn’t kidding when he said it was a castle.
I was impressed.
Anson stopped the golf cart, and we got out. I followed him inside the house and was even more impressed. It had to be one of the finest homes I’d ever been inside.
“Sit.” Anson gestured for me to sit on one of the pristine white leather couches in the massive living room.
I did as he instructed and watched him go into the kitchen without a word.
I breathed out and looked around me.
Gorgeous.
Rosalie had done well for herself.
“Mister Enzo!” Ellis squealed, rushing into the room.
She came straight at me and threw her little arms around me. I caught her as she hugged me.
“Hey, pumpkin,” I murmured.
“Is my daddy here too?” She pulled away and stared at me, her blue eyes filled with excitement.
“Uh, no. He’s at work.”
Her little bottom lip jutted out, and sadness crept across her cute face. It made my chest ache to see her sad.
Damnit, Cole. I’m going to fix this…
“Oh.” She frowned. “Mommy said he’s busy and that’s why he didn’t call me for goodnight stories.”
I winced at her words. “Yeah, pumpkin. He’s been really busy, but I know he’s thinking about you and misses you very much.”
She looked down at her feet. “Mister Enzo?”
“Yeah?”
“Daddy loves Mommy, right?”
I breathed out. “Your daddy loves your mommy more than anything in the world. No worries, OK?”
Fuck, this kid was perceptive. Definitely a spawn from Cole and Rosalie.
“Ellis, you’re supposed to be getting ready for ballet.” Anson came into the room and handed me a drink. I took it from him as he settled on another white leather couch across from me, Ellis now in front of him as he placed his drink on the table between us.
“I’m sure Trix is looking for you,” Anson continued, brushing a blond curl away from her face.
“Is Ryder coming?”
“Yes. He is,” Anson said, smiling at her. “Go get your gear, OK? We don’t want you to be late.”
“OK.” She hugged Anson quickly before darting to the stairs and disappearing up them.
I cleared my throat. “The drink is good…. What is it?”
“It’s a project me and the guys have been working on. Brewing our own drinks.”
“It’s really good,” I murmured, drinking some again. It was almost fruity, but had that bite of alcohol. It was definitely unlike anything I’d ever had before.
Anson drank before he settled back and stared at me.
“Speak,” he said, giving me Matteo vibes.
I placed my glass on the table and licked my lips.
“I’d prefer it if all the guys were here.”
“Well, they’re not,” Anson said. “You have me. So speak.”
“Where’s Evan?”
“None of your business.”
I closed my eyes for a moment to compose myself. “Then may I please speak to Rosalie?”
“No.” He sat forward. “You speak to me, or you fuck off, De Luca.”
We glared at one another for a moment.
“What’s it like to sit on the other side?” Anson tilted his head as he stared at me. “I remember how fucking frustrating it used to be. To want to fucking matter, but knowing someone else controlled it.”
“I am here to deliver information,” I said tightly. “And to speak with Rosalie.”
He grunted and settled back in his seat again.
“I heard you may be a father,” I continued, hoping to soften the prick. “Congrats.”
“It’s killing you, isn’t it? To know I’ve taken what you wanted,” Anson murmured.
I swallowed. “Anson, why?”
He raised his brows at me.
“Why do this shit? Huh? Yeah. You got the girl. You got my life. You got one of my best friends, and now you’re taking the other one. You win. Is that what you want to hear?”
“No.” He sighed. “What I want to hear is why you bother trying so fucking hard if you hate Rosalie.”
I shook my head. “Because I love Cole. He’s one of my best friends, and I know she makes him happy.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Liar. Tell me the truth.”
I scoffed. “I did.”
“Lies. Just be honest about it, De Luca—”
“Because I fucking do!” I shouted at him.
“I fucking care! Half a fucking decade didn’t change that portion of my heart.
I. Care. Are you happy now? I fucking give a shit about…
” I stopped and swallowed. “I owe her. For everything. I’m trying to make up for my sins.
I know I am not viewed as a good man. I hurt you.
I hurt Fox. I hurt Rosalie. I only want to make amends for those things so I can be at peace. ”
“Selfish,” Anson murmured. “It’s always about you, isn’t it, De Luca? Your peace. Your happiness.”
“If it were ever about my peace and happiness, I wouldn’t have given up so fucking much,” I said softly.
“You and the world can view me as a monster, and I don’t give a fuck.
In fact, fuck you. It tore me apart to do what I had to do.
I have lived with terrible things for five years.
I have gone through hell, too. Just because I gave up what I thought needed to be given up doesn’t make me the bad fucking guy!
I’m a victim too!” I pounded my chest. “I fucking lost a lot too! And I keep on losing.” I breathed out, my throat tight.
Anson studied me wordlessly for a moment.
“It’s lonely at the top, isn’t it?” he finally asked.
“Yes,” I whispered.
His phone buzzed, but he didn’t bother to look at it. Instead, he spoke.
“Klaus and Evan are home.”
Thank fuck.