Page 49 of When We Fall: Part One

But I don’t think I was ready to admit it. Fathom it. Imagine him with his lips on hers.

To be fair, I didn’t hate the thought as much as I once did.

That meant something. Something I wasn’t unhappy about.

I slidonto the leather seat of Anson’s blacked-out Challenger and closed the door. The scent of Rosalie’s perfume lingered in the air, smacking with me just how much time the pair spent together.

“Didn’t even bring me flowers,” I joked as he put the car into gear and we drove out of the driveway.

“I never waste money on a date unless I know my date is worth it,” he said, smirking at me.

“You mean I have to put out before I get flowers? Rude,” I muttered, chuckling.

He laughed, too, and shook his head.

“How was getting out of the house? Enzo say anything?” he asked, his mood shifting from light to serious.

“He seemed fine. Relieved it was me and not Rosalie, most likely.”

Anson scoffed at that but didn’t get to say anything because his phone rang. I glanced at the number that popped up on the screen in his car. No name greeted me.

“Fuck,” Anson grumbled. “I have to take this.”

I nodded, understanding.

“Hello?” His hand tightened on the wheel. “No.” Silence for a beat before he spoke into his phone again. “I’m busy tonight.” He tensed as he listened to the voice on the other end. My curiosity was getting the better of me. I knew Anson had been part of the Underground and had worked for Everett Church for a big portion of his life. He’d even been a well-known fighter going by the name Archangel. I also knew he’d left that life behind for the most part. I suspected he may still beat the shit out of people when the mood struck him, but I knew for a fact he’d not be going back to work for Everett Church after the shit he’d been through.

The shit which put Anson in a whole new light for me and changed how I felt about who he was and how he fit into my Rosie’s life.

“No. It’s fine. I’ll be there soon. OK. Bye.” He hung up the phone before he tightened his hands on the wheel.

“Everything cool?”

“No.”

I nodded and clicked my tongue. “OK. What’s going on?”

“My father wants to see me tonight. Isn’t taking no for an answer.”

I swallowed at his words, knowing all too well how dangerous meeting Matteo De Santis tonight would be for me.

“I’m sorry, man. I can’t tell him no. He doesn’t seem like the sort to accept that answer.”

I grunted, knowing damn well he was right on that account.

“Where does he want to meet?” I asked.

“Fuse,” he muttered.

“I’ll have a drink at the bar. You can meet with your old man. I’ll come back to the car if it’s too sketchy. I assume no one will make a move on me.” They’d be stupid to try. Enzo would lose his shit if there were a scuffle, though. He was ready to tear heads off at any given time, and with Cole at his side, I had no doubt he’d do it without blinking an eye. While I didn’t want to start some sort of war, I also didn’t want to be a pussy who retreated home with my tail between my legs.

“You sure? I’d be limited in what I can do to keep you safe?—”

“I don’t need you to fight for me,” I cut in. “I can handle myself.”

“It’s not just about handling yourself. It’s what Rosalie would do if something happened to your ass. I’d get blamed, and we’d both be fucked, and not in a good way.” He made a left turn, the city lights whizzing past us.

“I’ll be fine,” I repeated, but for good measure, I sent Rosalie a message letting her know we were going to Fuse instead. I doubt she’d answer me since she was devoting the evening to E, but at least the message was there. I’d have sent it to Enzo or Cole if I thought they wouldn’t bust into the club and start shooting to make a point.