Ryder had returned and was giving Klaus the rundown on everything as Ellis practiced her ballet in the living room to music Anson had playing softly from his phone.
“She OK?” Anson asked.
“No.” I looked at Ryder. “Hey, man. I hate to ask, but will you take Ellis out for a bit? I need to talk to the guys.”
“Yeah, man. Absolutely,” he said. “Ellis? You want to go get ice cream?”
“Twisty Cone?” Her eyes lit up as she ran to him.
“Sure. If that’s where you want to go.”
She nodded eagerly, and Ryder held his hand out to her and led her out of the apartment.
“She slept with Cole,” Anson said immediately.
Klaus straightened at the counter, anger washing over him as his big body tensed.
“I saw her neck,” Anson continued.
I sighed and told them what she told me. Klaus cursed in German as he stomped back and forth in the kitchen, tugging at his hair.
“She’s scared we will leave her,” I concluded. “She’s ashamed.”
Anson nodded, but he didn’t say anything as he sat at the island, staring down at his hands.
“Are you going to leave?” I asked softly.
“No.” He shook his head. “I don’t give a shit about her fucking him. If it happened the way she says it did, then it was just a really unfortunate incident. I’m more concerned with the lack of fucking birth control because you know Cole Scott went in bare.”
I nodded grimly, and Klaus cursed again.
“Klaus?” I asked. “Is this a deal breaker for you?”
He stopped his stomp and let his head fall back for a moment before straightening himself.
“No. I love her. This is our family. I am in the mindset Anson is in. If this were malicious on her part, she’d have kept it hidden. She didn’t. I believe it was an accident and a mix-up. I’m pissed the fuck off, but I’m not leaving. I’m in it for the long haul, even if it means we have to let that little fucking asshole join us. I knew that going into this, and nothing has changed. I canhandle anything thrown my way. I love her. She’s the endgame. I’m going to ask her to marry me when we get home.” He visibly swallowed.
“Really?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yes. I was going to ask her after her last Chicago show, but that didn’t happen. I-I got the ring and everything.”
Anson smiled at him. “I knew you had it in you, man.”
Klaus chuckled softly. “I just… I will worry now. She did not have her shot, and that little prick seems intent on being in her life, which is clear by the steps he recently took.”
“When Cole wants something, he can get a little crazy. I think we need to assess the situation and see what happens. If he doesn’t reach out before we leave, then we just let it go. I think Ro is in that same mindset. She told Enzo. If he’s half the man I think he is, he’s already telling Cole. We should hear from him before the night is over.”
“I agree,” Anson said. “I always figured the horsemen would find Rosalie again. This time, though, we are the ones in charge. Our opinions matter.”
“And what is your opinion?” I asked.
“I’m like Klaus. I’m in it for the long haul,” Anson said. “I love her. Endgame. I’m not going anywhere, even if Cole Scott fucking knocked up my girl again.”
“It’s not ideal, but I’m good with this decision. If Rosalie wants Cole to join us, and he hasn’t lost his damn mind completely, then I want it too. He’s a good man when he isn’t losing his shit.” I sighed.
Anson scoffed. “He’s a prick, but maybe he’ll relax.”
“Unlikely,” Klaus muttered. “We can hope, though.”
