Page 160 of When We Fall: Part One

I opened my eyes to stare at him.

“You are safe here with me. I will not leave your side. When it’s time, I’ll call Fox to come get you. I promise. OK?”

“Can I at least call them?”

“Of course,” he said, giving me a sad smile. “But first, tell me you’re OK. That-That he-he didn’t…” His words shook.

It was my turn to cradle his face. “I hurt, Ani, but he didn’t. He tried.” My words faltered this time.

“Oh, LeeLee,” he whispered, swiping a fallen tear off my tender cheek. “My sweet, perfect girl. I want to hold you. Can I hold you?”

I nodded, my throat tight as I fought off my tears. Gently, he pulled me against his body and held me. I cried softly, letting out all the emotions I’d been fighting since it happened. All the fear. I was safe in Anson’s arms. I knew I was. Even here, he’d keep me safe. I believed that. I was still scared, but I could get through it if he were at my side.

“Come lie down. You need to rest.” He led me back to the bed and helped me in before tucking the blankets around me. “I’ll get you something to eat.”

“Don’t go,” I called out, reaching for him.

“You need food and water,” he said gently, taking my hand. “I promise I’ll be right back. I need to have the doctor come look at you, too.”

“You swear it?” I asked, worried. I believed he’d keep me safe, but there was still the fact that I was in enemy territory.

“On my life.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be fast.”

I nodded, letting him go. He cast me a final look at the door before leaving.

I sat in silence for what felt like forever before there was a soft knock. The door cracked open, and a handsome man entered the room. Tall like Anson. Muscular. Early to mid-forties at the oldest.

Terrifying.

“Rosalie, I’m glad you’re awake,” he said in a smooth Italian accent as he stepped deeper into the room. On instinct, I shrank away from him. This man exuded power and control. Everything about him suggested he was wicked and not to be messed with.

“Do you know who I am?”

“M-Matteo De Santis,” I managed to whisper.

His lips quirked up as he stood at the edge of my bed.

“Yes. I’m Alessandro’s father. Fox’s… uncle.”

I swallowed hard.

“Are you going to kill me?” I choked out.

He blinked at my question before he let out a soft, dangerous laugh. “I’ll answer your question with a question. Have you wronged me somehow?”

I crinkled my brows at his words. “No.”

“Then you shall remain safe within my home and elsewhere in the world until otherwise.”

I relaxed a bit at his words.

“Tell me what happened last night.”

I licked my lips as he sat on the edge of my bed, his eyes focused on me. Anson and he looked a lot alike, but then again, so did Dominic. And even Kurt, now that I was looking at him. It was uncanny.

“Bel fiore,I need your words.”

“I-I was at Mayfair practicing. The guys were supposed to meet me, but they didn’t come. I had to leave because it was closing. I called them, but they didn’t answer,” I said, my voiceshaking. “I went to my car. A man grabbed me from behind. He was wearing a mask. I managed to get away from him. I-I ran to the alley because sometimes the coffee shop leaves its back door open. I thought if I could get there, someone could help me.”