Page 194 of When We Fall: Part One

“Anson is a douche,” Cole said immediately.

I shot a warning look at Cole.

Anson sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Cole,” Ethan warned.

“What? He is.” Cole shrugged like he didn’t give a shit. And honestly, we all knew he didn’t.

“Anson is Rosalie’s best friend, it would seem,” I answered. “But he’s a little more than that. That’s why we need Dom here.”

“Is he part of your… group?” Vincent raised his brows at me.

Cole snorted before I could answer. “No, he fucking is not. He’s not allowed to touch Rosalie. I’ll break his fucking fingers if he even thinks about it.”

“She can touch me, though,” Anson said. He smirked at Cole, and I knew he was trying to piss him off. I never knew what sort of person he’d be when he was around. Sometimes, Anson was quiet and thoughtful; other times, he had no problem going toe to toe with Cole. It was always a gamble when the two were in a room together.

I wasn’t a fan of his comment, but we had more important things to discuss. I’d deal with Anson later.

Cole had other plans. He wasted no time in getting to his feet and going toward Anson. Anson didn’t seem to mind fighting because he pushed away from the mantle.

Fox and E were on the issue quickly and shoved Cole back.

“Fucking say that shit again,” Cole snarled, looking over E’s shoulder, his blue eyes flashing. “You don’t fucking say shit like that. Know your place, you fucking prick.”

“Enough.” I shot a warning look at Anson and then at Cole. “Not fucking now. Anson knows the rules. He’s to protect her. That’s all.”

“And Trent?” Vincent called out.

“Trent is Anson’s brother. They’re looking for their mother and sister’s killer,” I said, focusing back on the conversation. “They have reason to believe it’s tied to Ivanov’s clan.” I lookedover to Trent. I had no connection to him before tonight and had no idea what sort of character he was aside from being Anson’s little brother and a lord, at least on paper. So far, he seemed legitimate, and during my research on him, nothing alarming came up other than his affiliation with the lords.

Trent sucked his drink down before looking at Vincent.

“I went undercover among the lords. Worked my ass off to get in good with Hail. I needed information on my mother’s and sister’s killer. While I was working that angle, Anson was working the streets and getting in with the horsemen,” Trent said.

Vincent frowned before looking at Anson. “So, you aren’t Rosalie’s friend? You used her.”

I bristled at the question. The thought he’d possibly done that sickened me.

“I was drawn to her for her talent. Her personality. The rest was just extremely fucking good luck for me. She means the world to me. I’d never harm her, but I grew up on the streets and need some fucking closure. Both Trent and I do. I’ve always been honest with her. She knows everything about me and even shit I don’t know about myself.”

I swallowed hard at his words. I’d seen Anson with Rosalie. The day he took her back to his car because he wanted to talk weighed heavily on me. She said he asked her to leave with him. The prick was still at it, but Rosalie loved us enough to stay. Because of her love, I overlooked him crossing the line I’d drawn. At least for now, I did.

Cole scoffed at his words but said nothing else as he shook his head.

“The rest of my story needs to be told directly to Dominic,” Anson continued. “I think it’s best if he hears it from me and Trent. We’re still in shock as well.”

“Dom won’t be down tonight. He’s going to stay with B,” Vincent said. “But I’ll tell him you need to speak to him.”

“I accept that.” Anson nodded. “I’d rather he rest anyway. It’s been a long night for all of us.”

He had that right. Having to deal with the shit that had gone down with us was enough, but adding this mess to it?

I could use a fucking vacation. I’d always ignored my father’s issues growing up with the kingdom he’d created. No wonder he was turning into a grouchy prick these days.

“We’d like to offer you guys sanctuary,” I said, looking at Vincent. “The house burned to the ground. It’s gone. Drake shot Bianca. Tate knows that. He knows she probably didn’t make it. This can give you guys an out.”

“You mean. . . we can fake our deaths?” Vincent blinked in confusion at me.