Page 130 of When We Fall: Part One

I glanced at the guys to see their faces. They were unreadable, but I knew Fox and Cole were both pissed. Their words suggested as much.

“I’d really just like it to be me and you,” I said, my voice low. “For this.”

“Not fucking happening,” Cole snapped before Fox could. “I know what you’re up to, De Luca. If I can’t get Rosebud pregnant before you get married, you will try. No fucking way?—”

“I won’t. I-I promise, Cole. You and Rosalie can have a baby first. I’ll wait.”

Cole glowered at me for a moment before the tension visibly left his body.

“But please, fucking wait until after the wedding,” I added thickly.

Cole’s face fell. “Man, come on. No?—”

“What does Rosie want?” Fox broke in.

I looked at Rosalie, my heart in my throat.

“What do you want, Sunshine?”

She bit her bottom lip and fiddled with her fingers on her lap.

“Rosebud?” Cole called out tentatively, a twinge of worry in his voice. “Last night, you said we could. Have you changed your mind?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about it this morning. What if I have to resize my dress and it’s not ready in time?” She looked to Cole with her green eyes wide.

He visibly relaxed. “So you still want to try, even if we wait until after the wedding?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I-I do. I’ll stay on my birth control until after the wedding. You and I can try when we return from the honeymoon.”

“Oh fuck yes.” Cole dragged her into his arms and held her tightly. I couldn’t make out what he said to her as he rocked her, but I knew it was him probably thanking her and telling her he loved her.

“So everything is settled. Right?” E looked from Fox to me.

Fox shook his head and looked away.

“Fox, hey, I’m sorry about last night. I was rude. I shouldn’t have been. Without you, none of us would be here right now. She’d not be our girl. I love her, and I love you. I don’t want to fuck things up. I’m sorry, brother.” I got up and went to him. I dropped to my knees before him and took his hands in mine. “I’m trying to hold everything together. I’m not very good at it, though.”

Fox locked eyes with me.

“You’re going to fucking ruin everything, Enzo. You need to let go of some of these stupid ideas and plans you have. I love you too, but we won’t survive the way we’re going,” he said, his voice wavering. “This is your father’s empire. It doesn’t have to be yours.”

“I can’t run or hide from this life. It’ll find me,” I whispered. “My father is an enemy to many, which makes me one by default. If I leave, they’ll just come for me. For Rosalie. For all of you. So we fight and get to the top.”

Fox scoffed and looked away. I reached out and forced his face back to mine.

“I swear to you, this will work out. I will take it all and give it to you to prove it. Trust in me, Fox. Please. I’m begging you to trust in me.”

“Things are changing, and I don’t like it,” he answered. “One of us is going to get hurt or worse. Then what? Will it have been worth the climb?”

I swallowed at his words. “I won’t let that happen.”

Fox stared back at me.

“Constantino.My brother. Please. Trust in me to get us there.”

He stared me down for a moment, a muscle feathering along his jaw before he let out a soft sigh and gave me a slight nod of his head.

I leaned in and rested my forehead against his.