Page 268 of When We Fall: Part One

“I was thinking we could do some shopping. Have some food. Just relax together for the day. I promise to bring my phone and let the guys know, too.”

I smiled. “I’d really like that.”

He blew out a breath, a grin spreading across his handsome face.

“Go get ready. As much as I love seeing you in my robe, I need you fully clothed for this. At least for now.” He winked and pulled away from me.

I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, so I rushed back upstairs and dressed quickly and quietly, trying not to wake anyone. I grabbed my purse and phone and returned downstairs to find Cole ready, wearing a black button-down and a pair of jeans.

I kissed Cotton goodbye and followed Cole out to his car. He opened my door for me before getting behind the wheel. We pulled out of the garage and went silently to the main road.

Once we were fully off the property, it seemed like we both sighed in relief.

“How have you been?” Cole finally asked. “We’ve been worried sick.”

“I’m OK. And before you reprimand me, I’m not going anywhere, and I won’t do that again.”

He made a left turn before glancing at me. “I wasn’t going to reprimand you. I know I’m always on your shit, but I’m working on that, OK? I’m just glad you’re home and that you’re safe.” He reached over and squeezed my bare thigh. “I love this dress, by the way.”

“You bought it for me,” I said, smiling at him.

He chuckled. “I know. I don’t think I like your tits showing so much, though. Not because I’m not enjoying the spectacular view, but I don’t want other motherfuckers looking at you. You’re all mine, baby.”

“No one will look.” I laughed him off.

“You don’t know guys. I bought that dress for you to wear around me. I guess I should have specified.”

“So you want me to take it off?”

He let out a loud laugh. “Fuck yes, I do, but we’ll do that later.”

He squeezed my thigh again, this time his hand higher and way more possessive than before. We rode in comfortable silence the rest of the way.

When we reached our destination, Cole parked and helped me out of the car before twining his fingers with mine.

“I wish we could do this more,” he said wistfully as we walked down the sidewalk. “It feels like we went from high school to the fucking mafia.”

I looked over at him. Cole never talked about this stuff. He always seemed happy with our life, but the way he said that made me think he had other thoughts.

“Don’t you love our life?”

“I loveyou,” he answered, leading me into an alleyway.

“You’re deflecting.”

He sighed and put me against the alley wall before he brushed a curl away from my face.

“I don’t think any of us expected our lives to be how they are, but we’re here, so we make the best of it.”

“But this isn’t what you wanted.”

“No. I guess it’s not. I figured I’d end up being a doctor. Saving lives and all that shit. Now I just kill people and make a shit ton of money. And my girl keeps trying to get away.”

I frowned at him as he stared down at me.

“Cole—”

“You’re never fucking leaving me again, Rosalie,” he said fiercely, his entire demeanor shifting. He cradled my face, his lips a breath from mine. “If you try to run again, I seriously will kill every motherfucker who got the pleasure of trying to help you. Nothing will stop me from doing it. Youvowedyourself to us. The ring on my finger was a promise from you. I take promises very fucking seriously. Just like our baby. You promised me one, and I swear I will put one in you someday.” He leaned in, his lips at my ear. “If you tell me no, I’m going to hold you down and do it anyway because a promise is a promise and you don’t break a promise to me.”