Page 148 of When We Fall: Part One

“No,” I said simply. “If I die, I die for real. You take her away and give her the life she deserves where she’s safe. I know you’ll keep her away from all this shit. I believe it to my bones, Anson.Alessandro. You’re the Archangel. You’re a born protector. I trust in you to keep my girl safe.”

He glared at me but said nothing more for several long minutes. Finally, he spoke.

“Do I come crawling back then?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Won’t it cause more issues for her and the guys?”

I shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on how you handle shit. If you keep it friendly, I can’t imagine it being any worse than what it was.”

“Cole hates me.”

“Cole hates everyone who isn’t us.” I waved him off. “He hasn’t killed you yet. That means he probably won’t.”

Anson sighed. “I don’t know how to talk to her now. I fucked up. I’m embarrassed. Last night with that chick. Man, I-I was trying to forget shit. Then she called Rosalie. Are you sure she doesn’t hate me? She barely spoke to me last night. And you guys definitely cut out of here early. I’m actually grateful for that because I wouldn’t have known what the fuck to say to her. She’s the one person in this world I’m desperate not to disappoint, and I feel like I did with my actions.”

“For one thing, you’re not her boyfriend. You’re her friend. That’s it,” I said firmly. “I’m well aware of what you want from her, and I know she cares for you more than she admits outwardly. Hell, maybe even to herself. She’s a good girl. She’d never step out on any of us. I think if you’re honest with her and tell her you’re sorry and want to go back to your friendship, she would accept it without question.”

He scoffed and looked at his clasped hands. “I think I’ll need some time. I need to get my head together. I can’t go to her like this. She deserves better than the mess I am right now. I don’t want to cause issues for anyone either.”

“I’ll talk to Enzo,” I said. “He knows about last night. He didn’t lose his shit at all. In fact, he kissed her and told her he loved her honesty. I thought he’d lose his mind, and we’d go around in circles again, but no. It was nothing like that. He’s trying to be better for her. That means accepting some of the shit that comes with it.”

“And I’m the shit,” he muttered, shaking his head.

“You’ve come a long way,” I said softly. “The first time we met you, I wanted to kill you. Now, here we are. I think it’s going to roll in your favor. Be patient.”

“No chance in Enzo and Cole letting me in?” He looked at me, his blue eyes filled with despair. “It would be so much easier that way. I-I don’t want just to take her away. I want to belong. I’d stay if I could belong.”

“No,” I said gently. “They’ll never let you join. Cole would lose his mind. Rosalie wouldn’t let you in based on that alone.”

He let out a sigh and gave a sad nod of his head. “What about this baby business? She said they’re going to try.”

I nodded. “It’s definitely an issue, but I think she’ll hold him off on it. As it stands, she’s agreed to wait until after she and Enzo are married.”

“And what about that shit? You get yourself killed, and I’m supposed to steal Enzo’s wife? Unless…” He crinkled his brows and looked at me. “You’re planning on doing this sooner than that, aren’t you? Like… in weeks.”

I swallowed hard and looked away from him.

“Fox, man. Come on. You are, aren’t you? You don’t intend on her marrying.”

“I’m saving her,” I whispered. “I love Enzo and the guys with everything I am, but I love her so fucking much more. I don’t want her to die because of this life. She deserves the world. Enzo won’t be able to give it to her right now. Maybe someday, but not now. She needs to experience a life outside this. Had I known this was how it would be when I took her in the first place, I’d have stayed away.” My throat was tight with my words. “I’d have endured without her. But I’m weak, too. I couldn’t stay away, and because of that weakness, she’s in danger. I have to rectify what I’ve done. That’s where you come in.”

“When?” Anson demanded. “When the fuck are you going to do this shit?”

I shrugged. “I’m waiting as close as I can to the wedding. I’m hoping something changes. I don’t see that happening, though.”

“And if it looks good, he marries her, and then shit gets bad? Then I’m taking his wife?”

“Yes,” I said softly. “Then you’re taking his wife.”

“This is fucked up.” Anson rubbed his eyes. “I don’t want to do this, Fox. I’ll join you guys. I’ll protect her. I’ll die for you. Let me talk to Enzo about joining you all. I’ll even kiss Cole’s ass?—”

“Anson. You know what will happen if you do that. They’ll keep her further from you. It has to be this way. Just please… Let it.”

“I hate this. I really fucking hate it.” He sat back in his seat.

“But you’ll still help me?”