“Does… Does Rosalie still like it when you do special things for her? Like little parties and buying her stuff?” His voice was slow and shaky.
“She does,” I confirmed.
“Do you think she’d like to, uh, go dancing? Like if I cleared out the living room and made a dance floor and just danced with her?”
I smiled. I remembered when Cole’s idea of a gift and special moment to her was buying her lingerie or a dildo to use on him. He seemed to have changed.
“I think she would really like that.”
“Do you think it’s enough for her not to tell me to fuck off? Because she’s still withdrawn from me. We fought because I was a dick and said some shit I didn’t think through, then she and Enzo fought. She threw her crutches at him. She’s a lot different from how I remember her being. Like, violent. And… well, you guys must have trained her because she’s a little difficult to handle. She tried to choke my ass out. I really thought she had me there when I kidnapped her.”
“She choked you?”
“Yeah, man. With a blow dryer. I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t want to hurt her, but she fucked us both up. She also hit me witha guitar and has thrown a jug of milk at me. Then there’s the crutches with Enzo and stuff…”
I smiled, proud of my girl. She didn’t take shit. Good for her.
“We did train her. The three of us spent a lot of time working with her. I’m glad she’s giving you a run for your money. I don’t know if it’s enough for her to tell you not to fuck off. What I do know is she loved you once upon a time, and I don’t think those feelings faded. She’s just… hurt. So you’ll have to go slow with her and prove you’re not the same guy you were back then. Your cheating broke her heart.”
Fuck, it broke mine too. I never thought they’d do that to her. But hell, what did I know? If Enzo had done shit to protect E, then I didn’t know what to think.
“I-I didn’t cheat,” Cole mumbled. “I just fucked up. I couldn’t leave my brothers. E was losing it. Enzo was broken. They needed me to hold them together after we lost Foxy. So I did. I guess I thought Rosalie would wait for me. That she loved me enough to stay. But then she was seeing that Ryder dweeb and then Klaus… and now…” his voice trailed off. “I didn’t cheat, though. I knew she’d never let me go. I never corrected her. Plus, Foxy wanted her freedom. I just thought we’d get her back. Now everything is fucked. Enzo is probably going to fuck around with this bitch named Jade because he wants to move on. E is really all about Riot, so that’s where he’s at. Then there’s the underground contract.” He groaned. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you all this shit. You probably hate me, and honestly, I’m not overly fond of you, but fuck, man. I’m trying here. I’m lost. I have been for a long time.”
“You need to just talk to Rosalie. If these things work out between you two, then you and I will have a meeting.”
He scoffed. “Right. Because you’re king of her pussy.”
“Don’t talk about her like that,” I warned.
“Fuck. I’m sorry. I’m bitter, OK? I used to have your position. I’m just… damnit. I love my family. That’s all I know.”
“I understand. Just talk to her. You need to do that so that we can talk.”
“We are talking,” he said.
“No, I mean, you and me. Deep talk. I have some things that I need to say to you that I’m not going to do unless I know this is going to be a permanent thing.”
“Well, unless she refuses to let me ever see my daughter again, I’d say I’m permanent. Even if she tells me to go fuck myself, I’m not leaving my kid.”
I figured as much. I needed to come clean with him about who I was. E already knew, and I didn’t expect him to continue to keep my secret.
But I wanted to know this shit was sticking. If Rosalie decided she wanted Cole with us, fine, but he had to meet the rules we put in place. No mafia shit. He leaves the life. She agreed it would be a no-go if he didn’t.
“I guess time will tell. Talk to her.”
“Will I get my ass kicked if I kiss her?” he asked, his voice soft.
I let out a chuckle. “I guess that depends on your intentions.”
He let out a little laugh. “I think I’ll take my chances. It was… nice talking to you, Evan.”
“You, too,” I murmured.
“I’ll send you my number so you can message me or whatever.”
I smiled. “I already have it.”
“Of course you do. Have a good night.”
