Page 199 of When We Fall: Part One

“Thank you, Enzo, truly, but no.Resterò e combatterò.I will fight. This world doesn’t get better because we run. It’s better because we fight. We kill those who intend to hurt us. It’s a better place with less monsters.”

“I didn’t think you’d leave. Perhaps your men might feel differently, though? Maybe offer the freedom to them while you tend to business. We can join forces, take out these pricks, and rule this city.”

“Is that what you want?”

I sighed, deciding to lay it all out. “Honestly, I’ve never wanted this life, but it’s the life I have. I’ve vowed it to my father, so here I am. If I have to be here, I want it to be my way.Ourway if you want to join forces. Split the city. Rule it how we see fit, not these OG assholes who are ruining lives.”

“And your girl? Rosalie?”

I rubbed my eyes, Rosalie’s words from earlier about how she was tired of it all racing through my mind. How she was scared. The tears in her eyes. The way her bottom lip trembled. Fuck. I hadn’t told the kings what happened to her in the alley. I didn’t like to speak the words. I figured I’d tell them about Matteo caring for her another time. I didn’t want them to think I’d gone soft on his ass just because he kept our girl safe.

“Things aren’t great. I love her with every bit of me there is, but she doesn’t want this life. I asked her to marry me, and she accepted. The fact remains, however, she hates the life we have. We’re at an impasse. I can’t quit, and she refuses to accept it. Outwardly, she does. Inside? I know she worries and keeps going over it. She has that right to do so, and I accept that about her. It means she’s paying attention to how dangerous this life is. In the end, she loves us all and is attached. So, we fight more than any of us cares to. Truth of the matter is, I’m losing her.”

“To Anson?”

I let out a huff of sadness, hating that it could be a possibility if she ever gave in. I knew we wouldn’t, so it was even more terrifying that maybe desire would win out someday. “No. I’m losing her to her dreams. To reality. We all are. The others just don’t realize it yet.” I had to look away as my jaw quivered with the idea of what it would feel like to lose her. “I’m at the point where I know her safety isn’t guaranteed with us. She needs to leave. All we do is fight. We fought last night before I left to help my father. We fought this morning. We fought before I came in here. I’m not the same man she fell in love with. But I love her. Fuck, do I love her.”

“I’m sorry,” Dom murmured. “It hurts to lose what you love.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “Maybe there will be a miracle that will save us all. It’s what I pray for every night. If not, I may have to tell her goodbye.” I paused to exhale. “Fuck, man, I don’t wantto. I love her. I want her to be my wife. It’s tearing us apart, though, because Fox loved her first, and we’d agreed no one would marry her. But duty calls. We’re all in, or we’re out. Those are our rules. He has a bright future if he doesn’t end up killed in this life. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe we should let him take her away and give her the white picket fence and all the kids she could want. Even that fucking Pomeranian she keeps talking about wanting. All I know is that at some point, this dam is going to burst, and everything will end up destroyed.”

“What do you need from us, Enzo? What can we do to help?” Dom asked.

“Join me. Kill these pricks. Make it safe for our women. Children. Family. If you decide to leave, I’ll accept that. I’ll never say a word to anyone about you or the kings. I’ll even claim I’m the one who murdered you if you’d like.”

“I’m with you,” he agreed without hesitation.

I gave him a smile of relief. “Thank you. It’s hard to find good men in this world, but I believe you’re one.”

“Just don’t fuck me over,” he warned, not missing a beat.

I chuckled. “I would never. I am sorry for the scare with Drake and Bianca. I told him to make it look like she was dead if he got the chance in case you wanted her to run. I told him to watch her and protect her. Of course, I didn’t have to twist his arm on that one.”

Dom cleared his throat. He either didn’t know something happened between Bianca and Drake or he was choosing to not acknowledge it. “He’s done well. Had me fooled.”

“Does he?” I asked, raising my brows at him.

“What do you mean?”

“Have you watched him with her?” I studied him. “It reminds me of the way Anson is with my girl.”

“Do you think Drake wants my wasp?” He sounded sick at the very thought of it. That meant he definitely didn’t know.

Dom frowned.

“I think you should watch your girl closer. That’s all. She’s a beautiful woman, Dom. She’s strong and brave. Wild. She’s the sort many want to tame and break. You’ve experienced it already with the lords. But Drake doesn’t strike me like those men. I think if he gets too close, he’d offer her unimaginable freedom. And a wild girl like your wasp is the type to take it and run.”

“What do you know?”

“It’s not my place to say,” I said softly. I winced because it was the same shit happening to our girl. Anson could give her freedom, too. Fucking hell.

“Don’t fuck with me, De Luca,” Dom said, his voice holding a note of anger. “We’re friends. Just be honest with me. What do you know?”

“You and the kings aren’t the only ones who love her,” I said in a low voice. “I’m going through it myself, but we don’t talk about it. We let Rosalie continue to have her friendship. We trust her not to step out on us.”

“You think Bianca and Drake. . .?” He looked physically ill.

“I think,” I said delicately. “That you aren’t the only ones who care about her. That’s all. I know nothing past that. It’s just an observation I’ve made.”