Page 138 of When We Fall: Part Two

“Fox would understand,” he murmured. “But it’s a moot point since he can’t speak for himself now. You inspected the underground. Came up empty-handed. Had you actually done your job and worked harder to find him and E, things may have been different. At this point, all I see is a man in bed with my enemies and a possible reason why my best friend is dead. A man who has stolen a woman and is marrying her. You don’t scream loyal, Alessandro. I keep hoping that it was an accident that Fox and E were overlooked. I fucking pray it was and not some part of your sick, fucked up game you’re playing as you straddle the fence on loyalty. I hope you understand, but then again, I don’t give a fuck. Stay away from Rosalie. Cole wasn’t lying. We will kill you. If you care about her, stay alive. She doesn’t need another dead body to give her nightmares.”

And with those words, he stepped around me and went to Cole, who continued to hold Rosalie as she buried her face in his chest, E still staring at his shoes.

I watched, my throat tight.

“It’s a rough time,” a man said from beside me. I looked over, not recognizing him.

“I’m Colten,” he said, holding out his hand to me.

“Colten Scott,” I replied, eyeing him. “Cole’s older brother.”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “They’re good guys. They’re just fucked up right now. Give them some time.”

“I don’t think there’s enough time in the world,” I murmured, watching Rosalie sob so hard that Cole had a hard time controlling her in his arms. She looked like she was on the brink of collapse, and there wasn’t fuck all I could do about it either. All I wanted was to sweep her into my arms and bring back Fox for her. Hell, I’d even die so he could come back if it meant she’d be happy again.

“Here, give me your phone,” he continued.

I looked back at him and handed him my phone. He typed in his number and sent himself a message.

“That’s my number. If you’d like to check in on her, please feel free to message me. I’ll be in town for a few more days. I spend a lot of time with her these days since the guys have been gone.”

“How is everything?”

He shook his head. “A disaster. Ethan is so fucked up right now.” He blew out a breath. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if we woke up and he’s killed himself. He’s not OK.”

I winced at his words, really fucking hoping he didn’t do something like that. It would end Rosalie if she lost two guys. As it were, it was looking like she might not make it past Fox’s death.

“Rosalie doesn’t come out of her room much. Barely eats. God knows I can’t make her eat. Neither can Jamie, her best friend.” He nodded to a pretty brunette who was sitting beside Rosalie, rubbing her back as Cole and Enzo discreetly tried to drug Ethan, who looked like he was on the brink of a freakout.

“Dominic De Santis can, though,” he said.

I frowned at that information. “What?”

Colten let out a soft huff of air. “He comes over nearly every day and has been since the guys went missing. He takes care of her. Sleeps in her bed with her. Holds her when she cries. Hell, he even forced her to shower one day. It gives the rest of us a little break, not that it matters because Rosalie is a good girl and needs the help, but…” He scratched his head. “It’s hard, I guess.”

I said nothing as I absorbed that information. Dominic was sleeping with my LeeLee in her bed. Holding her, wiping her tears. I suppose he was probably the best one for the job, considering he knew how it felt, but I didn’t like it.

That said a lot about what a jealous prick I was.

FORTY-FOUR

ETHAN

Iwanted to leave.

I wanted to crawl into the casket and hold Fox. To beg him to come back and not leave us.

I wanted to run into traffic and end everything.

Blowing out a shaky breath, I tugged at my tie. I hated ties. Fox used to tie them for me because I sucked at doing it. He wasn’t there this morning to laugh and do it for me. It was all crooked and shit.

Cole had given me a hit of sugar that took the edge off. It wasn’t enough. Nothing would ever be enough.

I looked over at Rosalie to see Jamie holding her as she continued to sob.

I wanted to hold her, too, but I couldn’t bring myself to reach for her. I was a disgusting piece of shit. She didn’t need my hands on her. Tainted. Ruined. Fucked.

FUCKED.