Page 180 of When We Fall: Part One

“Fine.” I nodded. “Ten thousand now, ten thousand at the end of every month, or no deal. Twenty total a month.”

“Done.” He finished his drink without hesitation.

“And I get to leave and tell you to fuck off whenever I’m done,” I said, eyeing him. “I’m not interested in remaining in this world. I have bigger plans than this shit.”

“I’m good with that. When you’re ready to go, you walk away. No harm, no foul. We’ll be square.”

“Done,” I said, getting to my feet. I paused for a moment as he followed to stand.

“First piece of information.” I cleared my throat.

He raised his brows at me, waiting for my words.

“Watch Drake Petrov. He’s working for my father. I don’t know what’s going on there, but it’s probably worth looking into. I didn’t inquire about it because I don’t give a shit what happens between them.”

“I see,” he murmured, his dark eyes narrowed. “Thank you for the information. I’ll look into it.”

“And never tell anyone where you heard it from,” I added. I would never betray my father, but Drake pissed me off. The fact that he’d gotten information to Enzo before I could didn’t sit well with me. He needed to be looked into, and Enzo was the sort of guy who would do just that. If anything, I may be saving my father from some Russian bullshit.

“Of course. Nothing we say regarding this will ever leave my home.”

I studied him for a moment before deciding he was being honest. I walked to the door, with him behind me. When we reached it, he shook my hand.

“Go let Rosalie show you Cotton. It’ll make her happy. I’ll deal with Cole.”

I released his hand and pulled open the door, grateful for a few more minutes with her.

“Rosalie will return to classes on Monday. I expect you here bright and early to ensure she makes it there.”

I nodded and said nothing. I planned on being here anyway.

We reached the kitchen, where the guys were putting food away. Enzo gestured for me to find Rosalie. I assumed that meant wherever she was, I could be, so I trotted off before Cole could catch me.

Not that I cared what he thought.

I went up the stairs and met Rosalie partway.

“Hey,” she greeted me, a fluffy white kitten in her hands.

“Hey, is this Cotton?” I reached out and scratched the kitten behind its ears. He immediately began purring.

“It is. Isn’t he cute?”

“He’s adorable.” I smiled, my heart full at seeing how happy she was holding the little fuzzball.

“Ethan got him some toys. I was bringing him to play with them and to show you.”

“Come on,” I said, my desire to leave now gone. I only wanted to watch her kitten play and see Rosalie’s smile.

Her grin widened, and she went down the stairs with Cotton in her hands, me following closely behind.

I was back.

FIFTY-SIX

ROSALIE

Everything seemed to be back to normal for the most part. We were getting along, and Cole had been on his best behavior when Anson was over. I knew it was hard for him since he hated Anson, but I also knew he was grateful for Anson’s part in helping me that night. He’d admitted as much to me the night I’d come home and promised he’d try to control himself more. Cole was always a work in progress.