“Finally, some good news,” Ryder said. “I’ve had to listen to him mope for years. It’ll be a nice change of pace.”
Klaus laughed and joined in, kissing me too. Ellis ran over, climbed into my lap, and we all group-hugged, her squirming and giggling between us.
I cast a look at Dante, who smiled back at me. He was happy. That mattered.
“Will I get to wear a pretty dress?” Ellis asked.
“The prettiest,” Anson said. “Any color you want.”
She kicked her little feet in excitement, and I only held her tighter, grateful for all I had.
Despite the bad things going on, this….this was good. It overshadowed all the bullshit.
I could live with that.
15
COLE
Isettled on the leather couch next to E. Riot was in bed. The stream of Rosalie’s show had been on for a few hours now, and I’d watched the opening bands already.
But now…
I breathed out and ran my hands down my thighs. I’d ordered a pizza. Wings. Drinks. Chips. I had everything, even French fries, but I had to give E credit for those. Riot thought we were having a party and filled his belly as he danced to the music on the screen, then tired out and fell asleep on E. E had taken him to bed, and now it was time for the main event.
“Where’s Enzo?” I asked for the fifth time.
“I don’t know.” E gave the same answer he’d been giving all night.
I was beyond frustrated. Enzo knew I had this night planned. He said he’d be here for it. I’d seen more of the fucking news that morning. Someone sent my girl a person’s heart in a box.
This had become a serious situation. I figured the show would be canceled, but when I scoured the internet, everything said the show should move forward.
She had to be so scared.
It was fucking me up to sit back and be a bystander when all I wanted to do was run out and find whoever this fucker was. The overwhelming need to protect her rushed over me for what felt like the millionth time today.
I dialed Enzo, but he didn’t answer. Swearing softly, I redialed.
“What?” he snapped into the phone after the fifth ring.
“Where the fuck are you? You said you’d be home. You’re not answering calls or texts?—”
“No offense, Cole, but my wife is dead. I’m not looking for a new one,” he said back, his voice cool.
“Motherfucker, get your ass here,” I hissed into the phone, my anger surging. “E and I are waiting for you. She goes on in a few minutes?—”
“I’m working,” he said. “I have a fucking job. I can’t just wander home whenever I feel like it.”
“You knew we were doing this!”
“Cole, I told you before, I’m not interested. Now stop calling so I can get this fucking contract done.”
I breathed out and swallowed. “She’s our girl, man.”
“She’s not. She hasn’t been for a long time.”
“What the fuck happened to you?” My heart was breaking as I clutched my phone tightly. “We had plans. We were going to bring her home…Is that over now?”
