Page 16 of When We Fall: Part Two

ETHAN

Istayed with Rosalie as John and the guys fought downstairs. I made sure she was OK, really hoping Cole hadn’t killed her dad. I had no idea what happened to put my sweetheart into this condition, but I was aching to find out. Having her this way terrified me. I’d been with her during the dark days. She managed to claw her way out of them. I didn’t want her to be flung back to the bottom of that pit of despair again.

I lived in that pit most days. She didn’t belong here in the darkness.

“I love you,” I whispered, kissing her forehead as she slept from the drugs. She’d be out for hours. “So much, sweetheart.”

The yelling quieted, and silence descended on the house for nearly an hour before I brushed my lips against Rosalie’s and tucked her in tighter.

I went downstairs to find the living room empty. Figuring the guys were in the office, I knocked lightly on the door before cracking it open.

Enzo gestured me in, and I moved into the room, noting John wasn’t here.

“What happened?” I asked tightly.

“How is Rosie?” Fox looked over at me, ignoring my question.

“She’s OK. She’s out. I doubt she’ll wake tonight.”

Fox nodded, a muscle thrumming along his jaw.

“What’s going on?” I sat on the couch next to Fox.

Cole laughed softly and drank deeply from his glass as Enzo sat in his chair.

“Is John OK?” I pressed.

“He’s fine. He’s gone to his hotel,” Fox mumbled.

“Is anyone going to tell me what the hell is going on?” I demanded, my patience fraying. Something big had clearly happened, and I wanted to know what the hell it was.

“No, because we don’t know,” Enzo finally said. “John said it was up to Rosalie to tell us.”

I looked at the guys in turn, wincing. She was definitely in no place to say anything.

“What do you think it is?” I ventured softly.

Cole scoffed. “Probably more bullshit from him. Wanting her to come home. Saying fucked up shit to her. Pick a number. I’m sure we can match it with something.”

“You didn’t fight with him, right?” I looked directly at Cole, who scowled back at me.

“It wasn’t without great effort on our part,” Fox said. “We had to hold him back a few times.”

“Should have just let me take his ass out. The fact that you guys were OK with him making her cry pisses me off?—”

“Let’s get one fucking thing straight,” Fox snarled. “I am never OK with Rosie crying. Got it? Fucking killing her dad or beating his ass would only make her cry more. Get your shit together, Scott.”

Cole gave him a sour look before going silent.

“So what’s the plan?” I asked. “What are we going to do?”

“Wait for her to feel better. To wake. If she wants to tell us, fine. If she doesn’t…” Enzo’s voice trailed off. “Well, I think she will eventually. She just needs time. She’s under a lot of stress. Let’s give her the time she needs. She knows she can come to us when she’s ready. We don’t push her on this.”

I blinked rapidly at him, genuinely surprised he wasn’t going to push, considering how bad she’d been. “I’m sorry. Cole’s dick must have been in my ear. What did you say?”

“I’ve never stuck my dick in anyone’s ear,” Cole muttered.

“You heard me. We will give her time.” Enzo drank from his glass after shooting a smirk at Cole.