“I love you,” she said, her voice shaking. “Evan. Ani. Klaus. Thank you for trying to find me?—”
“LeeLee, we’d never not look,” Anson said. “I hope you knew that.”
“I did. I just… please bring Ellis. Klaus?”
“Yes, my love?”
“I… can you please be good?”
I chuckled softly at that. “I am whatever you need me to be.”
“OK.” Relief flooded her voice. “Keep Ani and Evan in line.”
Evan scoffed, and Anson grunted at her words.
“Of course,” I said, feeling elated that she was safe. I couldn’t wait to hold her in my arms.
“I have to go. E is waiting outside my room for his phone. I love you all. Please. Be safe. I’ll see you soon.” She disconnected the call, and I looked around at everyone.
“She’s OK,” I said thickly.
Anson blew out a breath and nodded, relief evident on his face. Ryder clapped him on the back, and I caught his eye.
He needed to come clean on his feelings, but he gave a slight shake of his head before saying he’d give us all a minute.
“Evan?” I called out. “Are you OK?”
“Yeah.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. I watched him walk over to his bat and pick it up. He stared down at it.
Anson and I exchanged looks.
“She asked for no violence,” I said.
“I will kill them for this. The pain. The fear.” Evan shook his head.
“Doing so would kill her,” I said. “Honor her wishes. We can fight later. Let’s just get her home. We can hash out details at a later time.”
“Klaus is right. Rosalie is a priority right now. We can sort through our feelings later.” Anson pulled his phone out. “I need to call Dante and let him know we’re coming to get Ellis and that Rosalie is safe.”
I nodded and gestured for him to leave the room so I could talk to Evan.
“Hey,” I said, going to Evan. I reached out, gently took the bat from his hands, and placed it on the couch. “Look at me, Constantino.”
He faced me, his lips turned down.
I cradled his face with my hands. “Your wife is coming home. She missed you. She is asking for your patience and mercy. Give her that. Can you do it?”
He nodded. “I-I can.”
“Good. You may grow angry while we’re there. I ask that you walk away if it gets to be too much.”
“I will,” he said.
“You don’t even need to go in. We can handle it?—”
“I want to be there,” he said softly. “I will behave myself. Promise.”
“OK.” I released him and backed away. “Hold my hand if you need to ground yourself. Promise?”
