Page 119 of When We Fall: Part One

“Marissa,” I said as she pulled me in for a tight hug. “How are you?”

“Oh, Fox.” She pulled away and cradled my face. Enzo’s mom was an absolute sweetheart. Truly beautiful and kind, Anthony was lucky to have someone like her, and Enzo was fortunate she was his mother. “It’s been rough, but that’s how this life is, right?”

The sadness in her eyes was notable, especially when she darted her dark eyes to Rosalie. I swallowed hard.

“That’s the truth,” I murmured.

She patted my cheek and moved on to greet Cole, who waggled his brows at Enzo. Enzo shot him a sour look. It had been a long-running joke in our group growing up that Cole wasgoing to nail Enzo’s mom. I guess he still wanted to tease Enzo about it. We all knew he wasn’t serious, but Enzo used to get so pissed.

I moved back to Rosalie, who still seemed nervous.

“Relax, baby,” I whispered to her as I gave her a squeeze.

She nodded but definitely stayed tense.

I ground my teeth when Enzo pulled her away from me.

And that’s how the afternoon was. He kept her at his side, not letting any of us get close to her. I watched as she smiled up at him, all doe-eyed and in love. Jealousy flared red hot inside me. I knew it shouldn’t since she was still mine too, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant to be my wife, if anyone’s, and none of this shit seemed fair to any of us. Except maybe Enzo since he was winning the goddamn world.

I’d give everything up for this one win.

Everything.

FORTY-TWO

ROSALIE

“Ilove it,” I gushed as Marissa sat next to me in the guys’ office the night before they were set to leave. The pretty pearl and diamond hair comb she’d given me sparkled in my hands. She’d asked for some privacy with me, and Enzo had directed us here. I was surprised he allowed us to be alone. He’d kept me at his side all weekend, even having me sleep in his bedroom with him. It hadn’t slipped past me the sour look that would infiltrate Fox’s face when he thought I wasn’t looking. The moment I was able to, I was going to make it up to him. I knew he was hurting. Deep down, I was too. I loved Enzo, but he really was keeping me as far away from the guys as he could over the weekend. I knew it had to be because he wanted to show Anthony just how in charge he was and how much he loved me. I knew that was a sore spot between them because Anthony had told him I wasn’t safe here.

Ethan had told me that much during one of our late nights over the past week.

“I’m so glad you like it,” Marissa said, smiling. “I thought maybe you could wear it on your wedding day. If you want, of course.”

“I will absolutely wear it.” I gave her a hug. “It’s so beautiful. Thank you.”

She released me, and her smile turned sad. “Lorenzo is lucky to have you. I worry about him, you know.”

“I worry too,” I agreed softly. I placed the pretty comb back into its box and sat it on the coffee table. “Does it get easier? Any of it?”

A wistful look crossed her face. “In some ways. In others, no.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I admitted.

“It’s not an easy life. I won’t lie to you about that, but if you love him, it’s worth it.”

“I love him with everything I am,” I said. “I just… he’s always so…” I didn’t want to say something to offend her since he was her son.

“Controlling? Doing dumb things?” She laughed when I widened my eyes at her.

“Y-yeah. I mean, he is. And he does. It’s a state of nearly constant arguments with us. We fight more than we get along lately.”

She nodded. “I understand. It’s a hard life. You’ve all been through so much already. Lorenzo has always been this way. When he was younger, he quietly controlled things. I’ve noticed he’s turning out a lot more like Anthony as he grows older. His control borders on too much sometimes. They do it out of love, though, not cruelty. We live in a dark, twisted world, Rosalie. They know we do. They’ve seen the unspeakable horrors. Loving men like ours comes with sacrifice and pain. If you’re willing to endure, it’ll be the greatest adventure of your life. Mostly.” She gave me a sad smile. “But if you have doubts, run.”

“Run?” I whispered. My brows crinkled as I stared at her.

“Far and fast. This life has a way of catching up to you. Don’t let it find you.”

“D-did you run?”