Page 169 of When We Fall: Part One

A smile quirked his lips up at her words. “That and my promise to you. A gift. Do you remember?”

She nodded. “I do.”

“And?” He prompted.

“You never break a promise,” she answered softly.

“Never.” He leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Possa il sole splendere sempre su di te, bel fiore.Fino a quando non ci incontreremo di nuovo.”

“Grazie,”she answered back, clearly having picked up a few things since being there.

“Constantino, take care of our pretty flower, yes?” Matteo looked at me. “She is worth more than you know.”

“I will,” I said firmly, grateful he’d clearly treated her so well.

“And I shall do the rest.” He backed away, and I opened the door and stepped out, Anson following us. I had no idea what Matteo meant, but I wanted to leave and not prolong our stay by asking questions. I assumed it was about my coin. My gun was given back to me when I reached my Jeep. I helped Rosalie inside, noting the tens of men nearby, watching. This place was a fortress. It was insane the lengths he’d gone through for his protection. No one would ever storm this place and make it out alive. Cole would have been killed before he’d even made it to the gates half a mile from the estate.

Once I had Rosalie safely tucked away, I returned to my side, where Anson was waiting.

“I meant what I said in there. Thank you,” I said.

“And I meant what I said.” He gave me a pained look.

I sighed and stared at the mansion. “You really would give all this up? It’s your kingdom.”

“I never wanted a kingdom,” he murmured, looking over my shoulder at Rosalie in the Jeep. “Just a little piece of heaven.”

My heart ached at the pain he was in over this.

“Soon,” I said.

He pulled his gaze away from her and looked at me. “Don’t do it, Fox. I can endure the pain. She won’t be able to. You have no idea how much she loves you. Her entire world starts and ends with you. It’ll kill her.”

“This life will kill her. I have to take the chance.”

“Just…don’t. I’m begging you, man.”

“Eight weeks,” I said.

“No…”

“Twelve at the most, as long as all goes well. Before she marries. They won’t go through with the wedding if they’re grieving. If they plan to, you do everything you can to prevent it.”

“Don’t fucking do this,” he repeated fiercely. “Come with me. Take her away with me. You and me. We can take care ofher together. Give her everything she’s ever dreamed of. I will protect you both.”

I grasped his face with my hands. He returned the gesture. We stared at one another, our foreheads together.

“I trust you to handle this. We’re family,” I hissed at him through clenched teeth. “Don’t fucking back out on me. I need you on this.”

“And she needs you. More than me. I’ll never be you, Fox?—”

“Then be you,” I whispered. “For her. Do this for her. I don’t matter.” I released him and backed away. “Come for dinner tomorrow night. Enzo will want to see you.”

He said nothing more as I got behind the wheel. I didn’t press the matter. He’d show up. I knew he would.

I put my seatbelt on and started the engine. Within minutes, we were cruising down the highway. Two miles from Matteo’s, a black SUV pulled out behind me, letting me know Enzo had sent men to wait.

I sighed. This was just how it was going to be.