Page 89 of When We Fall: Part One

“She kept it a secret because I asked her. She’s been on my ass about telling you guys for a long time now, so don’t drag her in on this and get pissed off,” Fox said, giving me an angry look.

“I guess I’m upset because you didn’t tell us. Why didn’t you tell us when you found out?” I asked.

“I was trying to process it,” he muttered. “I wasn’t expecting it. It blindsided me. Then I thought you’d be pissed and think I would betray you and try to take my position as heir to the De Santis syndicate. I’d be an inside man and ruin what you’ve built.”

“Do you really think so little of me?” I shook my head at him. “Do you think I don’t fucking love you, Fox?”

He stared at me, his blue eyes wavering. “I don’t know what to think anymore. Everything seems so fucked up. This wasn’t what I wanted.”

“Me marrying Rosalie.”

“Man, stop.”

“But it’s true,” I pressed. “You wanted it to be you. I already know you have the ring and spoke to her father about it.”

Fox visibly swallowed before looking away.

“Fox. Talk to me.”

“What do you want me to say?” He looked back at me. “Huh? Yeah, man. You know I wanted it to be me even though we agreed it wouldn’t be anyone. But I thought about it. I thought about how that was unfair to her. What if she wanted to marry and have a family? I’m selfish and wanted to give that to her. As for this family shit with my father and De Santis, when I tell you I don’t want it, I mean it. I didn’t want to make our shit more complicated than it was. Rosalie pointed out that it would hurt in the long run if I kept it from you guys. So here it is. I’m putting it all out on the table.”

“Do you have more secrets you maybe should tell us?” Cole prompted.

“No.” Fox’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “That’s it.”

I sighed and rubbed my eyes, feeling that he wasn’t telling us everything but knowing that pushing him on it wouldn’t yield better results. But who knew? Maybe I was just paranoid since he’d kept such a big bit of information away from us for so long.

“So you and Ass Hat are fucking related,” Cole grumbled, looking disgusted. “I guess it explains why you’re both so disgustingly pretty.”

Fox shot Cole an eye roll.

“What does this mean?” E asked, looking from Fox to me. “He’s also Dom’s cousin. Does this change anything?”

“Only if Fox wants it to,” I murmured. “I love him even if he does have De Santis blood. God knows Dominic is a good one.”

“It doesn’t change anything but my heritage,” Fox said fiercely. “I’m still a horseman. I’ll die one.”

“You’re not going to die on us,” I answered back. “I won’t let you. It would fucking gut us and absolutely kill Rosalie. So don’t talk like that. Got it? I’ll protect all of us.”

“Enzo, man.” Fox sighed. “You know how shitty things can get?—”

“I will protect you,” I said, pounding my chest. “You’re a horseman. My brother. One of my best friends. And our girl loves you. I would sooner die than let you leave her. Don’t ever say that shit again, do you understand?”

Fox stared me down for a moment before nodding.

“As for me marrying Rosalie, once it’s done, I swear to you that we will have a ceremony if she wants one, and we’ll all marry her. I promise you that, brother.”

“Really?” Fox widened his eyes.

“Yes.I swear.She was yours before she was ours,” I whispered. “I haven’t forgotten. I would never take her from you.”

“Do you really swear it?”

“With everything that I am,” I said evenly. “All of us. All in. Right?” I looked around at the guys.

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” Cole said immediately.

“I want what Rosalie wants,” E answered.