Page 123 of When We Fall: Part One

God. The evening had started so promising too.

“Father,” Enzo murmured, casting an uneasy look to Fox, who looked like he was doing everything he could to not pounce. On who was debatable.

“Let’s have dessert,” Cole piped up. “We, uh, have some cake. Chocolate lava cake. Fox. Help me get it?”

“Of course.” Fox got up and followed Cole into the kitchen.

I reached for my glass of champagne and downed it.

“Well.” Anthony gave me a smile like he hadn’t just ruffled some feathers. I liked him, but he was pissing me off. Marissa had been quiet the entire time, obviously uncomfortable.

“Rosalie. You understand why you need to spend your honeymoon alone with your husband, right?”

“Explain it to me,” I said softly. “In words I understand, Anthony.”

“Rosalie,” Enzo snarled at me, his hand on my thigh. He gave me a gentle squeeze as a way to warn me.

“It’s quite fine, Lorenzo.” Anthony focused his eyes on me. “Lorenzo will need an heir. Sooner rather than later. While I understand your unique relationship with Lorenzo and his men, I want to stress to you how important it is to maintain your role as his wife. That includes being his and only his in public. Birthing his heir. Being a mother. You will be a De Luca. You have an image to uphold.”

“Father, we already know this. We don’t need to discuss it right now.” Enzo cast me a quick look, pleading silently with me to not say something that would piss his father off.

“Anthony, I respect you. I love you. We’re going to be family,” I said carefully. “That is why I’m telling you with all due respect that I will birth Enzo’s children when I want to birth them. When I’m ready to do it. Not a moment sooner. I will continue to love my guys in any manner I see fit. If Enzo doesn’t like that, then he needs to speak up now because I’m not going to back downfor that. Cole and I are planning on having a baby first. Not me and Enzo. That’s final.” I entered into a silent staring match with Anthony, not backing down in the slightest.

“You will have responsibilities as Lorenzo’s wife. That includes bringing his children into the world. First,” he said evenly. “There is no negotiation on it. Your image will be maintained as his wife and only his. He will already be weakened because he’s married for love. Believe me, I know how this world is. If the world knows you’re with his men as well, it’ll only endanger you and them even more. I don’t mean to be cruel, Rosalie. It’s an ugly truth. There can be no weakness.”

“Love makes us weak?” I swallowed hard.

“It does.” He nodded sadly.

“Would I not love my children?” I countered. “They would be a target.”

“They would,” he agreed. “Each day will be filled with stress and worry, but Lorenzo must have an heir. A son. And he needs it as soon as possible. Not with Cole. Cole will have to wait. In fact, I’m advising against having children with anyone but Lorenzo.”

“Again, with respect, this is our marriage. We will do what makes us happy?—”

“You will do as you’re told,” Anthony cut in. “And nothing more. It doesn’t make me happy to say this to you, but Lorenzo would never because he adores you and can’t look past that. If you cannot comply, I’ve already arranged his nuptials to Celeste Vander Veer. It would be a more logical union. Lorenzo knows this.”

“I’m with Rosalie,” Ethan spoke up as I breathed hard, Enzo’s hand tight on my thigh, a desperate look in his dark eyes. “It’s our relationship, not yours, Anthony. We will do what suits us.”

“Ethan, you have no say in this matter—” Anthony started, but Ethan stood abruptly.

“Enzo wouldn’t have shit without me and my drugs,” Ethan said sharply. “I’m the backbone of this entire fucking enterprise.Me.The syndicate was crumbling and drowning in a seaof nothingbefore I added my talent to it. With all things regarding Rosalie, I will absolutely have a say in it. And I say that Rosalie will decide marriage and children. Career. All of it on her own. I stand behind her and her decisions.”

“These are our traditions. Lorenzo knows and understands this,” Anthony said, his voice not holding anger. Instead, he sounded gentle, almost sad.

“I’ve never been much for traditions.” Ethan walked around the table. “Sweetheart, come on. I think you need some rest. It’s been a long day.”

I took Ethan’s hand, so grateful for him, and let him lead me out of the room amid Anthony’s grumblings to Enzo. We’d all hear about it later, but it needed to be said.

Ethan led me straight upstairs to his bedroom and closed the door behind us.

“I’m sorry, Rosalie. That shit won’t fly with me. No one makes your decisions for you but you?—”

“Fuck me, Ethan,” I said, backing away and losing my dress along the way.

His green eyes darkened, and he followed me to the bed as I walked backward to it, his clothes falling away as we went.

He stalked toward me, and the moment he caught up with me, he swept me into his arms, his lips fusing with mine.