Page 157 of When We Fall: Part One

“She was attacked,” I said, cutting him off. “ Because you weren’t there. You were supposed to be there.”

Silence.

“Where are you?” Fox asked, his voice trembling. “Is she OK?”

“Sh-she’s not. He beat the shit out of her. I found her in the alley. I heard rumors that you’d missed a deadline, and they were out for blood. I went to your place, and it was dark. Your guards told me Rosalie was at Mayfair. I went there and found her bag and keys on the ground.”

“We know,” Enzo snapped. “We were there. Where the fuck is she?”

“She’s safe with me,” I answered softly. “Did you see the black van?”

“Yes,” Ethan spoke up. He’d been silent the entire time.

“I killed the motherfucker who hurt her. They cleaned it up.”

“Anson, where are you?” Fox asked again, his voice measured. I could hear the fear and anger in it. The worry.

I wiped at my eyes.

“I’m at Matteo’s.”

“Matteo De Santis is holding our girl?” Enzo’s voice wobbled. Cole cursed loudly in the background, and there was a crash.

“She’s not being held. I couldn’t take her to the hospital. My father came. He had a doctor waiting for her.”

“I want to speak to her. Fucking now,” Cole snarled.

“She’s unconscious,” I whispered. “She was hurt. She wasn’t awake when I arrived and is still not awake. Doc gave her meds to help with the pain. He said she’d be fine, but she’s been beaten pretty badly. H-he tried to rape her.” My voice cracked. “I’m not bringing her home until she’s ready.”

“Motherfucker,” Cole roared. “I swear to fuck, I will storm that place and kill all you pieces of shit! Bring her home. Now! I swear to god, Anson, I will tear your guts out and choke you to death with them.”

“Then come fucking do it,” I snarled back. “If you were doing your fucking job, she’d be fine right now. Don’t fucking threaten me, Scott?—”

“You’re dead, motherfucker. You hear me? Fucking dead.”

“Cole, please,” Ethan said, his voice trembling. “Please, man.”

“Enzo. Put out the hit?—”

There was shuffling before the line went quiet, Cole shouting in the background.

“Anson, it’s Fox,” Fox said. “Is she safe there?”

“Yes,” I answered fiercely. “I would die to ensure it.”

“I believe you,” he whispered. “But she needs to come home. Please, man. T-tell me he didn’t rape her.”

“The doctor said he tried and doesn’t think so, but he’s done some testing to confirm. With her unconscious, we can’t even ask her. We will know soon.”

Fox swore softly. “Fuck, man. Please. Please take care of her for me.”

“I will.” I nodded as Matteo came into the room.

He snapped his fingers and held his hand out, clearly wanting to talk.

I hesitated for a moment before handing my phone to him.

“Constantino?” Matteo called out. “Would you be so kind as to turn your speakerphone on so your men can hear what I have to say?”