Yet.
My heart squeezed as I thought about what she’d think if she found out about Laz. How I’d… fuck.
It didn’t matter.
One day at a time. If this contract went through with Church, I’d only have so many of them to make her see I wasn’t the piece of shit I used to be.
21
EVAN
“No leads. Nothing,” Anson said as we videochatted. “I have been up these cops’ asses, and no one knows shit.”
“We’ve been searching too,” I said, sighing as I scratched Cotton’s head. He purred and settled on my lap.
Klaus settled in next to me on the bed.
“Where is our woman?” he asked.
“Shower,” Anson said, sitting in a chair in the new hotel room they were in. Rosalie had a show, and everything went fine. It was just one more show down until she was done and back in my arms. I was counting down the days.
“She talked to E last night,” Anson said. “He reached out to her.”
“I know. She told us,” I said.
“I do not like it,” Klaus said immediately. “I do understand the reasoning for such things, and I support her decisions, even if I do not agree with them.”
“I don’t know that it helped anything,” Anson said. “She told me she was supposed to talk to him again today, but hasn’t reached out to him yet. He hasn’t reached out to her either.”
“E is a good guy,” I said. “I honestly wouldn’t be upset at all if she brought him in with us.” I knew those were words I shouldn’t say, but I wanted them out there so everyone was aware of where I stood on the subject. Enzo and Cole could go fuck one another. Yeah, I cared about them, but knowing they’d hurt Rosalie still pissed me off.
“He is a good guy,” Anson agreed.
“I do not know him well enough to pass an opinion. I only know what I’ve heard. All things have been positive from my boys.” Klaus rubbed his eyes. “I trust them, and if you two say he is good, then I believe you.”
“She said he sounded happy. That he’s not dating. He’s working. That he’s not using like he once did. Overall, she said he sounded great. I’m really hoping he was being honest. I’ve only ever wanted him to find himself and be comfortable in his skin and show himself some grace,” I said.
“They have a kid. The horsemen,” Anson said. “I can’t imagine E leaving a kid, just like I can’t see any of us backing out on Ellis. I get why you say you’d be OK with Rosalie bringing him in, but I really don’t think it’s an option.”
“Never,” Klaus said fiercely. “Ellis is my little ballerina.Mein Ballerina.”
I smiled at his words. He’d read a bedtime story to her tonight and had taken her to her ballet class. Imagining Klaus sitting through ballet was funny to me, and he’d smirked and shaken his head when I mentioned it earlier, but they’d gone for ice cream after, and he’d bought her a new doll.
“I’m in it for the long haul. You guys know that. In fact, I’m thinking I’m going to be the one to have the next baby.” I grinned at the camera.
“I think not,” Anson said, laughing. “I’m going to fuck her tonight. I’d be doing it right now if I weren’t on the phone with you guys. I’d already be on round three.”
“Because you can’t last,” Klaus chimed in.
“You’re lucky you’re not here,” Anson said, taking the ribbing well. “I’d slap you with my dick. Although it’s big enough, I could probably reach you from here.”
Klaus laughed loudly, and I cracked a smile.
“Listen, go take care of her. Tell her we love her. I’d stay and watch you make her moan, but I have to get this book done. The publisher is riding my ass.” I rubbed my eyes tiredly. I told myself I’d put in another hour before calling it a night. I wanted to fly back out to her and Anson after the head incident, but she insisted we don’t uproot Ellis and ruin her recital next week. So I relented, but vowed I’d come if I had to.
Klaus actually got a ticket, but Rosalie freaked out on him and told him to stay put. He begrudgingly agreed, but Anson woke to ten more guards for her that following morning.
“I’ll see you guys. Keep your eyes open. There’s no telling who this little prick is,” Anson said. “I love you.”
