He cast a quick look at my hand. “I noticed you weren’t.”
“I-I got a tattoo instead,” I whispered.
He raised his brows at that as I held out my hand to show him the pretty B tatted into the inside of my thumb.
“I-It was easier this way,” I mumbled, noting he didn’t seem to care.
He took another drink and didn’t appear interested.
“You have a nice place,” I said.
“Yeah.”
I blew out a breath and decided to just shut up. Trying to make small talk made me feel stupid, and I was already screaming internally about everything happening with Cole and the introduction of Ellis. Ethan told me this was how Enzo was protecting himself. I wanted to believe that, but it was hard when he was so damn cold. He deserved an Oscar for his performance if that’s what this was.
If Cole wouldn’t come to me, then I’d just tell Enzo when she got here. I knew he’d tell him. I could have called or texted Cole, but since he was avoiding me, I assumed that meant he’d avoid my calls and messages too.
The silence was painful and awkward. I had to ask a question that was eating at me.
“H-How is your son? I-I heard you had one.”
He slowly looked over at me. “We’re here to return you to your men, Rosalie. We don’t need to discuss my kid, the weather, or your tattoos, however many they may be.”
“So you’re still an asshole, huh?” I asked, my voice sour. Ethan was wrong. Enzo definitely hated me.
He let out a soft laugh. “Yeah. I still am.”
I shook my head and stared straight ahead, but I could feel his gaze on me. He used to be my secret keeper. I missed the old Enzo. I wish he’d come back. This Enzo was a miserable asshole.
The doorbell rang, and I breathed out. It was the moment of truth.
We both sat in silence before we heard footsteps, and then the door opened.
Evan stormed into the room and came straight for me. The moment he got to me, he went to his knees, pushed his gaiter off his lips, and crushed his lips against mine.
I kissed him back deeply as he clutched my body tightly.
“Fuck, Ro,” he whispered against my lips. “How’s my girl?”
“I’m OK.”
He kissed me again before he broke away and smoothed my curls.
“Just as pretty as always,” he murmured before he shifted away, pulling his gaiter up over his face again as he went.
Anson let go of Ellis’s hand, and she climbed into my lap before burying her face in my neck.
“Mommy,” she said, clinging to me.
I rocked her in my arms.
“Hi, baby. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I missed you, too.”
I kissed the top of her head fiercely and looked over at Enzo, who was staring at me and Ellis with wide eyes.
“Lorenzo, I’d like you to meet my daughter. Elissandra,” I said softly.
