“I will,” I promised softly.
That seemed to work for her because she went to Evan. He murmured something to her, and she ran off to Klaus, who didn’t waste any time scooping her into his arms as Evan lifted Rosalie into his so she wouldn’t have to walk on her bad ankle.
“Bye, Mr. Ethan! Bye, Mr. Enzo!” Ellis called out, waving to us, her bear in her arms.
My heart caught in my throat.
We could have fucking had it all. Ellis would be calling me daddy, too. Cole would have tea parties, buy dresses, and go to little dances. She and Riot would be raising hell and making a mess. Fox would be teaching Riot to throw a football.
In another life, we had it all.
In this life, I choked on my pain and watched as Rosalie was carried away without another word, Ellis going with her.
“Call Cole again,” I said to E as they left my office. “Now.”
He did as I asked, and I brought my phone out as the front door closed and tapped Church’s name.
We needed to amend the contract.
Now.
33
EVAN
Iheld Rosalie the entire way back to Klaus’s. She didn’t cry, but I knew her. She was fighting it so Ellis didn’t see. Ryder had stayed back on Klaus’s orders. He’d needed him to check in with a client across the city, so Ryder had left to do that.
He was a mess. It was a whole other issue we needed to deal with at some point. I knew he didn’t want Anson to know, but Anson and Rosalie both needed to know.
Klaus entertained Ellis as Frank drove us, Anson, on Rosalie’s other side, holding her hand. Every now and then, he’d bring her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles.
We arrived at Klaus’s, and I carried Ro upstairs to his place and took her straight to our room. Anson gave me a nod, letting me know he’d give us this time as Klaus placed Ellis at the kitchen island and asked if she wanted to make lunch.
I closed the door behind us and placed Rosalie on the bed before I kissed her soft lips again.
But she stopped me by putting her hand on my chest and pushing me back.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my heart in my throat.
She shook her head, tears in her eyes.
I tucked her hair behind her ear, worried out of my mind.
And that’s when I noticed the mark on her neck.
A hickey.
“Ro?” I whispered, my voice shaking.
“I’m sorry,” she answered, crying softly.
I closed my eyes. I didn’t know which of the guys she’d slept with, but she’d definitely done it. If I had to guess, fucking Cole got to her.
“Who?” I murmured.
“Cole.”
I nodded. I knew it was him, the fucking asshole.
