Page 216 of When We Fall: Part One

SIXTY-EIGHT

ROSALIE

“Hey,” I said as I stepped off the last stair and nearly collided with Bianca. We’d not formally met yet, so this was perfect. “Bianca, right?”

I held my hand out for her to shake. She didn’t hesitate. Immediately, she shook it and smiled at me.

“I made you breakfast,” I said. I’d gone upstairs to wake Fox since he said he didn’t want to sleep in. I nodded for her to follow me to the kitchen.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, glancing at the little bump I knew she was hiding beneath her sweater. I quickly put together a plate for her and handed it over.

“I’m fine," she replied while sitting at the island.

I poured her some juice and looked at her stomach again. “And the babies?”

I was scared that something was wrong. Seeing her brought into our house in her condition had me on edge. All I could think about was losing Blossom. Seeing Bianca the way she was only reminded me of that awful experience.

“Fine. My doctor says everything is good.” She took a bite of her food and let out a soft noise of appreciation.

“Oh, that’s awesome. I was so worried.” I sat beside her. “Everything else OK?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I guess. I mean, everything seems so. . . unreal.”

I sighed, deciding I could be forthcoming with her since she lived a life similar to mine. “I know. I’ve been there before. You’re not alone in any of this, so you know. If you need anything, I’m here.”

“Thank you.” She gave me a smile before clearing her throat. “I heard you’re a singer.”

“I’m trying to be. It takes me away from all this madness, but honestly, it’s never far enough.”

“You don’t like this life?” she asked.

I shook my head and sighed again. “I love my guys. I hate this life. Like, I loathe it. I’m just hoping maybe one day I’ll wake up, and this will have all been a nightmare, and Enzo will be an accountant or something.” I laughed. “When I told him that, he told me in another life that maybe he would have been, but this is our life, and I must get used to it.”

“Dream killer,” she muttered.

I was quiet for a moment before speaking. “Can I tell you something, and you won’t tell Enzo?”

She nodded, her eyes focused on me.

“I don’t have anyone to talk to about this stuff. A female who is in the same situation, at least. I-I worry that my dreams really will die with me here.” The confession blew out of me, leaving me to feel deflated.

“You think this life will kill you?” she whispered, putting her fork down.

I nodded, my throat tight and my eyes burning with unshed tears. “Or take one of them from me.”

“I-I have the same fear.”

I wiped quickly at my falling tears before hugging her. She fell into the embrace immediately and held me back. She knew exactly what I was talking about. I hated that she did, but it offered me some semblance of comfort to know I wasn’t alone in how I felt.

I wiped my eyes and pulled away, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

“The horsemen must be a handful. You’re really strong to deal with them.”

“I could say the same thing about you. The kings? Talk about intimidating. And five of them?” I shook my head at her, Dominic flashing in my mind. He was a beautiful man, but terrifying. I imagined people thought that when they looked at Enzo. They both had that dominance about them.

“You have Cole.” She shrugged and gave me a knowing smile.

I laughed. “He definitely could count as two.”