Page 224 of When We Fall: Part One

“OK,” she agreed. “I’ll go with you.”

I raised my brows, surprised at her answer but eager to have her know my father.

I unmuted the phone. “Father? I’ll be there soon.”

“Excellent.” He disconnected the call. I stood, wondering what the hell he could want.

I moved off the stage and grabbed Rosalie’s bags. Going to Matteo’s would be an issue if the guys looked at her location.

“Turn your phone off,” I said to her as she moved to join me by the piano.

“Why?”

“Do you think the guys would be happy to find you at Matteo De Santis’s place?”

She pulled her phone out and turned it off. “I can’t imagine they’ll be happy not to be able to reach me.”

“Jewelry?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t put it on today. Just my earrings.”

I glanced at the diamonds in her ears. She said Cole had gotten them for her. I grunted, satisfied with her answer. I was going to get her bigger diamonds someday, though.

At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

Today, it seemed like I may be barking up the wrong tree. I tried not to focus on that. It would only turn the day into shit.

I nodded for Rosalie to follow me. We went to my car in the lot. I opened her door, and she slid onto the seat. I closed her in and went to my side, looking around. Enzo hadn’t sent men, thankfully. He typically didn’t when I took her. It helped to know he trusted me.

Although if he knew I was taking her to Matteo’s, I was sure that trust would be revoked without a second thought.

We drove in silence for a long time before I spoke.

“I’m sorry about earlier.”

“Me too,” she answered. “It’s just really hard, Ani. I want you in my life?—”

“I’m never leaving you,” I cut in. “Ever. If you only want friendship, then I’m your friend. Mind you, I will try to convince you for more now and then. Keep you on your toes,” I teased her.

She gave me a genuine smile before visibly relaxing.

I breathed out a sigh of relief.Thank god.I was worried I’d fucked things up with her. I understood I came off as pushy, but I knew she would be happy if free. And it might even save Fox. The wild idea of telling her what he was planning plagued me.

Of course, it could also cause her tremendous worry and stress. It was an ugly situation to traverse. I needed to speak to Fox about it again. I was hopeful he’d changed his mind, but I noticed he seemed to be slipping into a dark hole. He wasn’t his typical vibrant self these days. It was almost like he’d sunk into a depression and was just out of reach. It was freaking me out.

We pulled into Matteo’s estate. I helped Rosalie out of the car before she walked with me to the door. His men nodded their heads at me without checking for weapons. One guy reached out as I made to step through the doorway. He wrapped his hand around Rosalie’s wrist, making her gasp as he roughly tugged her to a stop.

I pulled my gun out and pressed it to his head without a second thought.

“You don’t fucking touch her,” I snarled at him. “Unless you want your brains running down the fucking back of your neck.”

He immediately dropped his hand and backed away, his eyes wide and Adam’s apple bobbing.

“I’m sorry, Archangel.”

“Ani,” Rosalie’s voice shook.

I slowly put my gun away and took her hand in mine. I pulled her close and stepped into the foyer to find Matteo walking toward me, Klaus and Alessio flanking him as usual, the three moving like a well-oiled unit.