Into the Fire: A Dark College Romance

(A Mayfair University Novel Book 4)

K.G. Reuss
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 INTO THE FIRE
A MAYFAIR UNIVERSITY NOVEL
BOOK 4

K.G. REUSS
Copyright © Into The Fire: A Mayfair University Novel 2024 by K.G. Reuss
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without
written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a
book review.
Editing/Proofreading: Katrina from The “Write” Editor
Cover Design: Moonstruck Cover Design & Photography,
moonstruckcoverdesign.com
Formatting: Books From Beyond
To anyone who has fought and survived. These words are for you.
 FOREWORD

Dear Readers
I planned this book’s ending a completely different way. Due to
circumstances in my life, I couldn’t bear to write it. It hurt too much.
That’s how real life is though, right? It can hurt, and that hurt can
bubble over into words.
When I started writing the Chaos Universe, I put a character
named Ian into Black Falls High. Ian was based on someone I knew.
Someone I loved. Someone who hurt me. The scenes containing Ian
in them from Black Falls High were actual things I went through. I
toned them down and left out a lot of other things, but you get the
idea.
Something tragic happened recently, and it made writing Into
The Fire so much harder for me. I thought I was done wading
through hell, but my demons found me. I’ve been fighting them
again since “Ian’s” recent death. Writing Mayfair reminded me of
everything I’d already fought through. It was another punch to the
face for me.
 Mayfair is the continuation of Rosie and the horsemen’s story
from Black Falls High. It was meant to be a story about growing up
and overcoming.
But fuck, the past has a way of haunting us, doesn’t it?
So, with my ghosts and demons at my side, I present to you my
battle. I promise I’m not dragging things out. I’m only trying to do
Rosie’s story justice, and in a way, my story justice.
In the end, there is light. But fuck, do we have a lot of darkness
to battle to get there.
If you’re in a relationship that makes you cry more than it makes
you smile, find your light. You deserve it.
There is help out there. There is hope. And there sure as fuck is
a way out.

Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233

Thank you all for your support. It means the world to me. And
thank you for reading my words <3
Now let’s go see what those horsemen are up to.
-K
 THE CHAOS UNIVERSE

Black Falls High:

In Ruins
In Silence
In Pieces
In Chaos
Mayfair University:
May We Rise
As We Fight
On the Edge
Into the Fire
When We Fall
Kings of Bolten:
Dirty Little Secrets
Pretty Little Sins
Deadly Little Promises
Perfect Little Revenge
Savage Little Queen
Dark Little Reign
The Boys of Chapel Crest:
Church
Bells
Ashes
Stitches
Sinful
Asylum
The Dare Duet:
Double Dare You
Double Dare Me
Standalone stories in the Chaos ‘Verse:
Snowballed
Hard Pass
Barely Breathing
 CONTENTS
1. Rosalie
2. Anson
3. Cole
4. Fox
5. Rosalie
6. Enzo
7. Rosalie
8. Cole
9. Ethan
10. Anson
11. Rosalie
12. Fox
13. Cole
14. Anson
15. Rosalie
16. Anson
17. Enzo
18. Rosalie
19. Ethan
20. Rosalie
21. Cole
22. Enzo
23. Rosalie
24. Fox
25. Anson
26. Enzo
27. Fox
28. Ethan
29. Cole
30. Rosalie
31. Enzo
32. Ethan
33. Anson
34. Rosalie
35. Fox
36. Rosalie
37. Anson
38. Cole
39. Enzo
40. Rosalie
41. Enzo
42. Fox
43. Rosalie
44. Cole
45. Anson
About the Author
Also by K.G. Reuss
 ONE
ROSALIE

“S
unshine, did you hear what I said?” Enzo’s deep voice cut
through my daydream of going upstairs to take a bubble bath
before sinking deep into my mattress so I could sleep. It had been a
long week filled with returning to classes, a heavier workload, and a
kiss I couldn’t stop replaying in my head.
I hadn’t spoken to Anson since it happened. He hadn’t been in
classes and had simply texted me to say he had a family thing to
take care of and would come back soon. I’d answered with a simple
OK and left it at that.
“I’m sorry. What?” I shook my head, feeling flustered.
“The wedding. We need to set a date.” Enzo stared me down, his
dark eyes filled with concern. “Time is ticking, babe. I thought
maybe we could have a spring wedding.”
“Spring?” I crinkled my brows. “That’s only, like, two months
away. We can’t do spring.”
“OK,” he said slowly. “Summer? June would be pretty on the lake
at sunset. Or we could do a destination wedding. Maybe Hawaii?
Seems popular.”
“No,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes.
Enzo sighed and sat back in his seat across from me. “What’s
wrong? You’re barely listening to me. I’m getting the distinct
impression you’re not wanting to do this.”
“What?” I blinked at him. “No. It’s not that. I want to get
married. I just. . . I think fall. It’s my favorite time of year. I worry
though because it’s the start of a new college semester, which
means I won’t be able to take time away for a honeymoon really. . .”
“Sunshine.” Enzo’s warm hand rested over mine. “We can just do
an overnight somewhere if you’re worried. A nice hotel. I want to
marry you as soon as possible. I want to start that part of our lives.
I’m tired of waiting. You can take a week off too. You know you can.
You’re a damn genius. You’ll already have worked ahead anyway.”
“You’re right.” I licked my lips, shoving Anson out of my mind.
The guilt at his kiss was eating at me. Fox kept telling me to let it
go. That it was nothing. That I was hurting my own feelings with it.
I knew I needed to do as Fox said, but I was so worried about how
things would be when Anson returned it was making it hard to
concentrate. I hadn’t had a full night’s sleep since it happened. All I
knew was that it pushed me down a path I’d been hesitating on. I
was going to focus on my guys. On making things better. On saving
us all. Anson was my friend, plain and simple. Nothing more. I’d
made my mind up long ago. I would marry and go off my birth
control. Everything that had transpired that night with Anson made
me want my guys that much more. I just needed to set a date for
the wedding so I could tell Cole my plans.
“You’re right. OK. Um, yeah,” I said, letting out a breath. “You
pick.”
“What?”
“I just, I don’t know, Enzo. Let’s do it tomorrow in Vegas.”
He cocked his head at me. “Sunshine, I know you’re nervous, but
I want this to be something we both want. I don’t want to run off
and elope in Vegas. I want my family there. Your family. Our
friends.”
I nodded, trying to let my frustrations go. “You’re right. Maybe I
am nervous. Let’s just look at the calendar and pick a day.” I got up
from my seat and went around the kitchen table. He slid back and I
settled on his lap, the calendar in front of me.
I flipped through the months until I landed on August.
 “Let’s do August fifteenth,” I said softly, staring down at the date.
A Saturday.
“August fifteenth,” he murmured, running his warm hand down
my back. “It’s perfect. I’d like to marry in a Catholic Church. Would
you be OK with that?”
“Yes,” I said softly.
He wrapped both arms around my waist, and I settled back
against his chest.
“Big or small wedding?” he murmured.
“Medium.”
He hummed his approval. “Salmon and steak?”
“Macaroni and cheese with chicken tenders.”
A soft laugh left him. “OK. I’ll make sure my bride has her perfect
meal. For everyone else though?”
“Give them a choice of either salmon or steak.”
“Done. I have a church I’d like you to come look at if you’re
willing. My parents married there. I’d really like it to be where we
marry.”
“OK,” I agreed. “I’d like to have the reception here in our
backyard if we could though.”
“God, I love you,” he said softly, running his lips along my jaw. I
smiled as he kissed his way to my lips, his fingers lightly guiding me
to him.
I parted my lips and kissed him back, a soft moan spilling from
my mouth.
He eagerly deepened our kiss until he broke it off.
“Engagement party.”
“When?” I whispered against his lips.
“Mm, my parents’ anniversary is coming up. I don’t want to
overshadow that, so I’ll talk to them about it. I’d like it to be in the
spring though."
“Sounds good. Now we just have to get something to wear.” I
kissed him again.
“I want you in all white, Sunshine. Even the roses you carry and
wear in your hair should be white.”
“What makes you think I want to have roses?”
 “Because white roses are your favorite.”
I smiled against his lips and dove back into him. He wasted no
time in lifting me to sit on the table before pushing me to lie back on
it.
I did so without protest, desperate for him to take me out of my
head for a little bit.
Carefully, he dragged my panties down my legs and pushed my
skirt up. I watched as he pulled his favorite knife from his boot,
twirled it, and cocked his head at me, his dark eyes glittering.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my heart beating hard as I took
in the knife he held. Enzo adored knives and was terrifying with
them in his hands. I’d never seen anyone handle a weapon the way
he did.
He ran the blade lightly along my thigh. “Figured we’d have a
little fun. Trust me?”
“Yes,” I whispered, nodding my head.
He smiled at me and twirled the knife again quickly before he
teased my clit with the handle. I whimpered as he slid it slowly
downward until he was teasing my pussy with it.
“I’m going to fuck you with it,” he husked out. “And you’re going
to come for me.”
“Enzo—” His name faltered on my lips as he breached me with
the handle, making me gasp.
“Fuck, that’s a pretty sight,” he murmured, pushing the handle in
further before pulling it out only to do it again. “Your pussy is so wet
for me, baby.”
I quivered as he slowly fucked me with the handle of the knife,
my heart in my throat. It has been a long time since he’d done this
to me. In fact, it brought back a whole host of memories. With my
eyelids squeezed tightly closed, I steadied my breathing.
But then he sucked against my clit, making me arch off the table
and whimper out his name.
He didn’t stop his work. He sucked and licked my clit while
fucking me with the knife handle until I was a quivering mess on the
table, my release gushing from me like an erupting fire hydrant.
 “Oh, my perfect little ray of Sunshine,” he murmured as I lay
sated on the kitchen table, his chin glistening with my release. He
licked his lips and pulled the handle out of my pussy before gliding
his tongue along the blade to collect the moisture. When he was
satisfied, he tucked it back into his boot.
I made to sit up, but he put his hand in the center of my chest
and pushed me back down.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked as he undid his belt
and pants. He pulled his thick cock free and ran it along my slit,
making me tremble more.
“You’re not done until I say you are.” He pushed forward,
entering me.
I groaned as I took all of him.
“Fuck, baby,” he rasped, snapping his hips forward and grinding
against me before pulling out to do it again. “Every time is like the
first time.”
I twisted my fingers through his hair as he bent over me and
kissed me, his tongue thrashing wildly against mine.
The sound of the front door opening and voices I didn’t recognize
hit my ears.
Enzo was quick to pull out of me, drag his pants up, and toss me
over his shoulder with ease. Quickly, he took us to the laundry room
and closed the door before dropping his pants again and pushing
into me after sitting me on the counter.
“Who-who’s out there?” I asked as he thrust into me.
“Luca, Brent, and Cole,” he said breathlessly, kissing me. “I forgot
they were meeting me today to go over some security measures.”
I raked my fingers through his hair as he continued to work me
over until I was coming hard, my lips fused to his. He followed soon
after, groaning softly and resting his forehead against mine.
“Oh, Sunshine,” he whispered. “You’re everything, you know
that?”
Guilt slammed into me as my kiss with Anson came surging back
into my mind. Fox said to keep it a secret, but I really hated doing
that. It violated our no secrets rule. On the other hand, I knew if I
said anything to Enzo or Cole about it, they’d lose it and Ani would
end up in a lot of trouble. I probably would too.
“I love you,” I murmured back, feeling my heart swell with the
words.
He smiled at me before pecking my lips with his and pulling free
of my body. He pulled his pants up, tucking his dick away. “I love
you too, Sunshine. Dress. Get that paper written you have due. But
most importantly, schedule dress shopping. I’ll have my men go with
you—”
“Shouldn’t this be something I do with Jamie and my mom?” I
fixed my panties and dress, wincing at how sore I was. He’d not
been nearly as gentle as he had been with me lately.
“If you want, but Jamie is at school too. Might be hard to make it
happen. Video chat with her and look?”
“Mm.” I contemplated his suggestion, not hating it. “I can do
that, but do I really need to bring Luca and whoever else?” I hated
sharing this event with near strangers.
“He won’t come in with you. He’ll just be nearby. I want you
safe, Rosalie. You know that.” He kissed my forehead.
“I need to tell my parents,” I admitted. I was under the
impression Enzo hadn’t bothered to ask my dad for permission
because my dad probably would have tried to talk him out of it since
he wasn’t exactly on the wagon of me being with four guys at once.
He tolerated it and wanted me to be happy. That didn’t mean he had
to be.
“We can do that together when you’re ready.”
“But you want me to get my mom to dress shop with me,” I
pointed out.
“Which means, my pretty bride-to-be, that you need to get that
going. Tell me a day and time and I’ll be there.” He winked and
backed away from me.
I sighed. “I really don’t mind a Vegas wedding.”
“I do. I don’t want some cheap, fast affair. I want it before God
and our families. So let me know when you want to talk to your
parents.” He walked to the door and raked his fingers through his
hair. I’d messed it up with my fingers twisting in it. I watched as he
stood straighter, the mafia prince coming out. It was mesmerizing to
see him go from sweet to cold and hard. It made my heart do funny
things in my chest.
He looked at me over his shoulder, his hand on the doorknob.
“Thank you, Sunshine. For setting the date.” And with that, he pulled
open the door and stepped out, leaving me behind.
The date.
August.
In less than a year, I’d be Mrs. Rosalie De Luca.
I nibbled my bottom lip, thinking about my schedule. I hadn’t
come out and told him or the guys yet that I’d officially taken on the
teaching courses and that I’d dropped some of my singing classes.
No one knew it.
But they would soon enough. I knew what I’d signed up for when
I became the horsemen’s girl. Trying to change it or deny it wasn’t
working, so I’d fall in line, even if that meant just giving up my
dreams for it. I’d just have to learn to live in someone else’s.
 TWO
ANSON

I frowned as classes started.

Rosalie wasn’t here. As far as I knew, I’d gotten a message
from Ethan earlier that morning saying Cole was taking her to
classes and she’d left her phone at home.
She’d sent me her schedule just over a week ago. I’d arranged
mine to match hers, but it wasn’t like her to not show up.
I went to Professor Hopkins at the front of the room, knowing I
needed some damn answers.
“Anson,” she greeted me brightly.
“Hey, is Rosalie Bishop signed up for this class?”
“Uh.” She looked over her attendance screen. “It looks like she
dropped a few days ago. That’s odd.”
I backed away, my anger surfacing. If she dropped for that
fucking teaching degree, I’d lose my mind.
“Are you staying for class?” Professor Hopkins called out to me as
I turned to go.
“No. I’m going to see what’s going on with Rosalie.”
“Good. It would be a shame if she’s not here.”
Indeed, it would be.
I grabbed my bag and left the room and went straight to the
main office.
 “Hey, Brenda,” I said to one of the women behind the desk. “Can
I get Rosalie Bishop’s new schedule? She lost it and left her phone at
home, and I told her I’d run down here and grab her a new copy.”
“Oh. S-sure, Anson.” Her cheeks reddened as she quickly put in
Rosalie’s information and printed her schedule out for me.
“Thanks,” I muttered, snatching it from her and leaving the
office.
I stared down at her courses, the fury building.
Nearly everything had been changed and she was pulling down
double credits in a bid to finish early.
I ground my teeth and stormed over to the English department
where she was having a useless literature course. I didn’t even
knock on the door. I simply stormed inside and interrupted the class.
“Yes, Mr. Beyers?” Professor Barrett called out, blinking in
confusion at me through his thick glasses.
“Rosalie Bishop?” I called out. Students murmured and looked
around the lecture hall. I spotted her near the back, her cheeks red.
“Mr. Beyers, is there something I can help you with?” Professor
Barrett continued, the irritation apparent in his voice.
“I’m just here to get Rosalie,” I said, shuffling around students
and going to where she sat. I didn’t say shit to her. I simply grabbed
her stuff off her desk and picked up her bag.
“Now,” I snarled softly at her.
“Anson—”
“Fucking now, Rosalie. I’m not joking.”
She fumbled to get out of her seat, her face flaming red. I took
her by her arm and led her out of the lecture hall, knowing we were
about to have a knock-down, drag-out fight.
I wasn’t wrong.
The moment we were into the empty hallway, she jerked out of
my hold, green eyes flashing.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, her
chest heaving.
“Saving you from the biggest mistake of your life. Protecting you
like I promised,” I snapped back. “Believe me, I have my work cut
out for me. If self-sabotage is a kink, then baby, you’ve got it in
spades.”
“You had no right to come in there like that,” she snapped back,
stepping into my space, all flashing teeth and pretty eyes. Her red
waves spilled around her like a raging fire. Her bottom lip trembled.
Fuck what I wouldn’t give to kiss her again. I’d been replaying it
in my mind on repeat since that night. How soft and tentative she
was. When she parted her lips and allowed my tongue to dance
against hers, the sweetness of it all. I’d fucking wreck her world if
she were mine. In a good way. In a way where she’d need me to
carry her everywhere once I was finished with her because she’d
remember who the fuck had been between her legs, loving her the
way she deserved.
But right now, she was staring at me like she was going to
remove my cock and shove it sideways up my ass.
“I have every fucking right, LeeLee. We’re—” We were what? In a
fucking situation that had no real answer to it other than limbo? I
swallowed and stared at her.
“That night was a mistake,” she whispered.
Her words gutted me.
“You said you didn’t regret it,” I murmured, closing the distance
between us, my heart in my throat. I crinkled my brows as I stared
into her eyes, praying I’d heard her wrong.
“Ani.” Her voice was small. “I-we can’t. I’m with the guys. I’m
marrying Enzo—”
“Don’t marry him,” I answered back softly. “You could just as
easily marry me.”
She blinked at me. “Don’t say things like that to me. Please. It—”
“It what, Rosalie? Makes you stop and question what you’re
doing? What you’re feeling? I won’t stop. I’ve never not followed
through on something in my life. I won’t start with you. You can take
that however you want to take it. I get it. Believe me, I do. You’re in
a shitty position, but I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere. I fucking
want you in whatever way I can have you, or have my actions not
screamed it loudly enough for you?”
 She trembled and squeezed her eyelids closed as I reached out
and cradled her cheek.
“I won’t push you to be with me. I understand you love the guys,
and the last thing I want to do is add more pain to your heart. I’ll
back off. I’ll be your friend if that’s what you want. When you’re
ready to come to me, you will, and I will wait for that day.” I
breathed out and thumbed away the tear that trailed down her
porcelain cheek. “I will, however, push you in other ways. Open your
eyes and look at me.”
She peered at me with glassy green eyes, tears clinging to her
long, dark lashes.
“You’re going to walk into that office and change your classes.
You’re not a fucking teaching major, LeeLee. You’re not. I won’t
allow it.”
“You can’t tell me what to do—”
I leaned in abruptly, making her tense. Gently, I ran my lips along
her jaw, causing a tiny gasp to leave her as I neared her ear.
“I just did. Now do what you’re told,” I whispered, my hand
moving to her tiny waist to hold her. “Don’t make me tell you a
second time. I know your heart, LeeLee. I know you love music. I
won’t let you throw it away.”
I pulled away from her to see what her reaction would be.
With parted lips, she nodded at me. “OK.”
“Good girl. Now go, and don’t ever think you can run away like
that again. Got it?”
She nodded wordlessly.
I backed fully away from her and nodded for her to follow. She
fell in step with me without protest and let me lead her to the office
where she promptly changed her entire schedule to my choosing
before following me out.
“I have to show this to Enzo,” she murmured. “And the guys.
They have my other schedule and will want this new one.”
I nodded without a word.
“Can you take me home? I-I—”
“You don’t need to explain it to me. Come on.” I placed my hand
on the small of her back and guided her down the hall.
 We didn’t speak until we were in my car and on the road.
“Where have you been, Ani?” she finally asked. “I haven’t heard
from you since. . .”
“I was doing something for my family.”
“Is everything OK? Is Trent OK?”
“Everything is fine now.” I gave her a quick smile.
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“Because things can change in the blink of an eye and you’re
smart enough to know that.”
She nodded. “They can, can’t they?”
I nodded and turned onto the main road.
“I heard, um, Professor Landry won’t be coming back. They said
she resigned abruptly over break.”
I tightened my hands on the wheel.
“Are-did you two break up?” Her voice was so soft I could barely
hear it.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Is she why you were gone for a week? Was she the issue?”
I briefly closed my eyes before looking back at the road. “Yes.”
“Do you want to talk about it? Breakups are hard. I-I can listen if
you need to talk. I’m probably terrible at giving advice on what to
do, but maybe I can just be here for you.”
I breathed out and was quiet for a moment.
“I wasn’t in love with her. I started seeing her after my mom
died. I didn’t know what I was doing. She approached me at Twisty
Cone while I was rummaging through the trash in the back lot in the
hopes of finding some bottle returns or old food so I could buy Trent
something to eat.” I swallowed hard. “I was young. A teen. She was
in her early twenties. She fed me. She gave me money to take care
of Trent. Got me hooked up with jobs in the Underground.”
Rosalie remained quiet as I spoke.
“I fell in love with her, I guess. She was all I had aside from my
brother. It started innocently enough. Food. Smiles. Then she
touched me. Kissed me. I was a teen guy with raging hormones and
a lot of anger. I went for it and fell into an ugly world. I started
working for Everett. I became the Archangel, the monster everyone
in the Underground feared. It was my life for a number of years. I
did bad shit, LeeLee.” I turned down her street. “Really fucking bad
shit. I took people for Everett. Never children, though. I wasn’t even
aware of the kid thing until way too late. But I did beat people. I
killed them,” my voice cracked. “I regret it every day of my fucking
life. I can keep telling myself I didn’t know what to do, but maybe I
did and was just trying to survive. I needed to make sure Trent had
a better life. That he could grow up and get the fuck out of here. I
promised him I’d find the person who killed Tia and our mom, so I
stayed, diving deeper into the abyss, hoping to find a way out.
Hoping for anything.”
I put the car in park and stared straight ahead.
“At the same time, I don’t regret a single thing because it led me
right to this moment with you next to me. My best friend in the
entire world.”
“What about Ryder?” she whispered.
I turned to her. “It’s you, Rosalie. You’re my best friend. I care
about Ryder, but I fucking love you even if you can’t love me back
right now.”
Another tear slipped down her cheek as she stared at me.
Fucking damnit, I hated making her cry.
I reached out and wiped her tears away.
“Don’t cry, LeeLee,” I said softly, my heart aching. “Please.”
“You can’t love me, Ani. We can’t be together—”
I thumbed her bottom lip, silencing her.
“We are together. You just don’t know it yet.”
She turned away from me, a fresh flood of tears on her cheeks,
before she pushed open the car door and got out. I followed her, not
saying a word as she went into the house.
“Hey, Rosebud, what are you doing home—” Cole stopped and
glared at me before taking in the tears on her face.
“Babe? What’s wrong?” His entire demeanor shifted as he went
to her and held her. She clung to him as he continued to glare at
me.
I wondered if she’d told them what I’d done. That I’d kissed her.
I assumed she hadn’t since I hadn’t heard shit about it and hadn’t
been killed or turned away.
“What the fuck did you do?” he snarled at me. The desire to
pummel me was apparent on his face, but he was also struggling
with releasing her from his hold.
“N-nothing,” she said, sniffling. “It’s me. I, uh, I need to talk to
you.”
He eyed me for a moment before focusing on her.
“What’s wrong?” He ran his fingers through her hair, doting on
her. His personality shifted when she was at his side and in his arms.
For a moment, I only saw someone head over heels for her, and not
the complete prick I knew.
She turned in his arms to look at me. “Thank you for bringing me
home. I’ll see you tomorrow, Ani.”
I looked from her to Cole then back again before I nodded.
“OK, LeeLee. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I backed away without
another word.
It was just as well.
I had other places I needed to be anyway.
 THREE
COLE

R osalieShewashadn’t
scaring me.
told me what she needed to talk about. Instead,
she’d hugged me and said to make sure everyone was home that
night to talk and that she wanted to be alone.
I’d watched her go to her room and hadn’t followed, allowing her
the space she was asking for.
While I waited for everyone to get home, I plotted out ways to
fucking gut Ass Hat and places I could put his body.
I knew that asshole had something to do with her tears. If she
came to us tonight and told us he’d fucked up, he really would end
up dead. I was over his shit with my girl.
When the door opened at seven with Fox trailing in from doing
some football stuff, Enzo at his side, I was on my feet.
“Come on. Rosebud wants to talk to us,” I grunted. “Me and E
have been waiting forever for you fucks. You were supposed to be
here an hour ago.”
“Sorry. We met up and got a burger,” Fox said, showing me a bag
that smelled like heaven. “We brought some home for you guys.”
As much as I wanted to gobble down the contents of that bag, I
resisted.
 “Seriously. She came in crying with Anson today. She’s been in
her room since, saying she wanted to be alone. I can’t fucking
handle the anticipation. My dick hasn’t gotten hard once today
because of it. That’s freaking me out.” I nodded for everyone to
follow me.
“Why are you so sure it’s bad?” Enzo asked. “She seemed fine
this morning.”
“E’s fucking anxiety rubbed off on me. Plus, I saw the tears.
Something is very wrong,” I said, stepping into the office with the
guys and pulling out my phone. Quickly, I sent her a text telling her
we were all waiting for her.
“I was good today,” E muttered.
“You’re also high as fuck,” Fox said, eyeing him.
E shrugged. We’d both gotten high about an hour ago. We really
had no choice. It was smoke some sugar or lose our fucking minds.
So, E technically wasn’t good, but he was better than he had been
lately.
We weren’t alone for long before Rosalie arrived.
“Hey,” she said, her voice small, as she moved to sit on the chair
alone.
That was the first red flag that made my heart jump into my
throat.
“Rosie, what’s going on?” Fox asked, settling on the arm of the
couch to study her. “You’ve been crying.”
She offered him a shaky smile. “I need to tell you guys
something.”
“Rosalie,” Fox said, his voice changing to a warning. “No—”
“I changed my major to a teaching major. I went through with it.”
I snapped my focus to whatever Fox wanted her to not tell us, to
what she said.
“Ex-fucking-cuse me?” I asked, sitting forward. “Why did you do
that? Singing is your life, Rosebud.”
She sighed. “I did it because I know I won’t be able to be a
singer while I’m here.”
Red flag number two was waving.
 “But it’s OK. Anson found out and pulled me out of class and
made me change it back, so I did.” She pulled a folded-up piece of
paper out of her robe pocket and handed it to Fox.
“This is my new schedule. My singing one. I’m still taking a few
extra classes, but they’re all music. I, um, won’t focus on teaching
this semester. I’ll just see how things go and decide then.”
Fox unfolded the paper and stared down at it without a word
before he handed it to me. I glanced over it and saw her vocal
classes, piano, music writing, and a few others before I gave it to E
to look over. When it made it to Enzo, he was the first to speak.
There were ten million things I wanted to say to her, but I wanted to
say them to her when we were alone. I figured they’d have more
impact then.
“Rosalie, why didn’t you come and tell us you were changing
your schedule? That you were serious about it?” Enzo asked, putting
her schedule aside and studying her.
“The reality is that I didn’t want you guys to feel like it’s your
fault.”
Enzo nodded, and I frowned.
Fuck it.
“It is our fault though,” I said. “We know you don’t want this life.
You keep telling us. We keep acting like shit is going to get better,
yet we haven’t done anything to prove it. So, fuck it. Let’s air it all
out.” I couldn’t take this shit. The fear of losing everything was
taking its toll on me. Losing Rosalie wasn’t an option. It never was,
even at Black Falls. Ian could have been a fucking saint, and I’d have
still stolen her back from him. She belonged to me. No fucking take-
backs.
She blinked at me, clearly surprised by my words.
“You knew the life we led,” I continued. “You said you wanted us.
We said we wanted you. That’s a mutual agreement to fucking ride
together through it all. I don’t feel like we’re all riding in the same
car. It’s more like we’re in different cars stuck in fucking traffic and
there’s a goddamn elephant in the road. So, what do we do?”
She breathed out. “I love you all so much.”
“We know,” E said softly. “We love you too.”
 “Sunshine, just say it,” Enzo murmured. “Anything on your mind,
say it.”
“I want to sing,” she blurted out. “I really, truly do. I want to be
on stage in front of thousands of people. I want you guys to be
there with me. I don’t want to live a life like I’m living now with
being forced into hiding all the time. I want freedom. I want to make
friends and go out and shop like a normal person. See a movie. Eat
ice cream and go out and dance.” She visibly swallowed. “And it
scares me that I may never have that.”
We were all quiet at her words.
“Be free,” Fox finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Because I want that for you too.”
“What the fuck does be free mean?” I got to my feet, my pulse
thundering in my ears. “She’s not fucking leaving us—”
“I have no intentions of ever leaving,” she said firmly.
I stared at her, my fucking guts in a mess of knots. She stared
back, her green eyes filled with so many emotions it broke my damn
heart. It calmed me enough to get me to sit down.
Fuck.
I wanted the world for my girl. Our girl.
“I’ll speak to Anson,” Enzo said, clearing his throat. “If he’s
agreeable to spending the time in making sure you’re getting out
more, then I’ll ensure you’re both watched from afar. I can’t just let
you go out on your own, but I can let you go out if you’re OK with
being trailed. My men don’t have to be in your personal space, but
they’ll be nearby in case you need anything. Are you OK with that?”
“Really?” She looked like she couldn’t believe her ears.
Enzo nodded. “Yes. I want your freedom too. If this would make
you happy, then let’s see how it goes. E?”
“I agree. Maybe we can go with you sometimes,” E said, looking
to her. “I haven’t been out to a movie in ages. I miss going.”
She grinned at him, practically dancing in her seat.
“Cole?” Enzo looked at me.
I sighed. “I hate Ass Hat.”
She frowned at me, her lips parting.
 Before she could get the words out that I knew she wanted to
say to me, I spoke.
“I agree too.”
Fighting and saying I didn’t want it wouldn’t do a fucking thing,
so I knew I had to accept this loss when it came to this shit. I
wanted her freedom too. Giving it to her meant she might see how
worth it everything was and stick around. My fear of her up and
leaving grew by the day.
This bought me some time to prove to her how much she was
loved and cherished.
“Cole?” She got to her feet and came to me, kneeling at my feet.
“Thank you.”
I sat forward and tugged her forward into my arms.
“I’d do anything for you, Rosebud. I want you to know that. If
this would make you happy, I’ll try. I still hate that prick and want
him to get a heaping load of ass herpes though. Just so you’re
aware.”
She laughed softly, her fingers twisted in my t-shirt.
“It means the world to me that you’re trying.” She kissed me.
I fell into the kiss immediately, deepening it to pornographic
levels.
Ah, there was my dick. It sprang to life in my pants. If it had little
dick arms, it would have waved hello, motherfuckers. I’m here to
party.
She broke the kiss off, making me practically sputter in protest.
She went to E and hugged him before whispering something to him
I couldn’t hear.
He kissed her and murmured something back that made her
smile. Moments later, she was kissing Fox before going to Enzo.
He reached for her and brought her onto his lap after kissing her.
“Since we’re all here and things are going OK, Enzo and I set a
date,” she said, clearing her throat.
I looked from her to Enzo, who smiled and gave her a squeeze.
“August fifteenth,” Enzo said. “So, save the date.”
I took that moment to look at Fox , who wore a shaky smile. He
caught my eye and looked away. I sighed. He was still a mess over
it. Honestly, I was too, but was making the best of it the only way I
could. By ignoring it and pretending like I was getting her too. If I
just kept telling myself she was mine just as much, it helped.
“Congrats,” I said, getting up to clap Enzo on the back and kiss
her. “I’m glad. Now I can figure out what I’ll wear.”
“A suit,” Enzo said as I moved to sit back down.
“My birthday suit,” I said, grinning at him.
I’d fucking do it too if it meant these sad fucks would smile for
me. I was tired of seeing all the damn frowns.
E groaned, and Fox cracked a smile.
There we go.
“If he gets to pick what he wears, so do I,” Fox said. “I’m
wearing the banana costume from ninth grade.”
Enzo grinned. “Fuck it. I’ll wear mine too.”
“Banana suit?” Rosalie looked miffed.
“We were a bunch of bananas for Halloween freshman year,” I
explained with a grin. “Get it? Bunch of bananas?”
“I don’t know how I missed it,” she said, laughing.
“Believe me, you didn’t miss much,” E said, joining in. “We looked
fucking dumb.”
“I wore a pink headband,” I said, laughing. “Had a big ass bow
on it. How did you miss it, Rosebud?”
She smiled and shrugged. “Guess I got lucky.”
I booed her as Enzo gave her a tickle. She laughed and squirmed
on his lap as Fox got up to help Enzo. E grinned at me, making my
heart swell.
This was what I was fucking talking about.
This was the shit I missed and wanted back.
I was game to make it happen.
That meant giving in just a little with Ass Hat. Maybe I’d get
close enough to stab him. A guy could dream.
 FOUR
FOX

“H
ey,” I greeted Anson as he sat on a bench in the hallway
outside one of Rosalie’s classes.
He looked up at me, his expression displaying his surprise.
“Hey,” he answered. “I’m just waiting for Rosalie to get out of
class.”
We hadn’t spoken since I’d seen his lips on my Rosie, and we
really needed to since she’d be spending a lot more time with him.
“I know. I have some free time,” I said, settling on the bench
next to him. “Figured we could talk.”
“I don’t regret doing it,” he said immediately, staring straight
ahead. “If you’re coming here looking for an apology, you won’t get
one.”
“I know,” I said, resting my head against the brick wall. “I’m not
mad.”
He said nothing as he looked at me, his blue eyes narrowed.
“I’m here to let you know that we’ve agreed to let her hang out
with you more. You can take her out if you promise to keep watch
on her. She wants to go to clubs and dance and sing. Eat pizza. See
a movie. Sometimes we will be with you. Sometimes we won’t. I just
don’t want you to think you’re getting let in because you’re not. Cole
despises you, and the first chance he gets, and you fuck up, he’s
going to come for you.”
“Noted,” Anson said solemnly. “I would expect nothing less
because I’d come for him too if he fucked up.”
I cleared my throat. “Don’t fucking do it again.”
We locked eyes. He knew what I was referring to.
“I won’t,” he finally said. “She’ll be safe and cared for with me. I
swear it.”
Everything on his face told me he was being honest.
I nodded. “If you fucking kiss her again—”
“Rosalie and I have already spoken about it. I told her I wouldn’t
make a move on her ever again. She told me she wanted to just be
friends. I accept that. However, the day she comes to me and tells
me she’s ready, I’m taking her from you pricks.”
I let out a soft laugh at his words. “The day she comes to you to
tell you she wants you is the day she does it over my dead body. I
have no worries.”
He cracked a smile. “We could just run off with her together.
Heard you’re into sharing.”
I had to hand it to him, he was brave.
I snorted. “I am, just not with you.”
His grin widened. “What’s wrong, Evans? Scared of a little
competition?”
I let out a huff of laughter. “Is that what you call it? Need I
remind you who fucks her at night and who only dreams of it?”
“Touché,” he muttered, giving me a scowl. “Honestly, you know
my feelings on her. I would die to protect her. If she ever does tell
me she wants me, I will take her away.”
“I know you will,” I said softly, going serious again. “If she ever
does anything like that, I think it would be best if you did take her
away.”
“You know, Evans, I’m beginning to think you like me.” He eyed
me.
I sighed. “I’m beginning to think maybe I do, but just enough to
not kill you.”
“I’d say we’re friends.” Anson raised his brows at me.
 “Don’t fucking push it, Beyers. I would still gut you if you fucking
touched her again. That was your freebie. You won’t get a second
one.”
He smirked at me and didn’t get to answer because class let out
and Rosalie came out of the room. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.
I stood and hugged her, breathing in the apple shampoo and the
smell of just my Rosie.
“How was class?” I asked as Anson got up.
“Hey, Ani,” she greeted him with a smile before answering me.
“Good. It’s a little boring, but I’m hoping it’ll pick up soon. I have so
many ideas for songs, but they’re making us study the art of writing,
not doing the writing itself.” She wrinkled her nose. “I hate that. It’s
like taking Music History again. So boring.”
I’d not taken any of those classes, but if she said they were
boring, a girl who adored all things music, I’d take her word for it.
“Well, I have news that may brighten your day,” I said, winding
my arm around her waist as we walked down the hall, Anson on her
other side.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Anson is taking you out to dinner tonight.”
We stopped, and she turned to me, a puzzled expression on her
face.
“What? Why?”
I figured she’d be more excited to get that news. Anson frowned
at her reaction, so clearly he was thinking the same as I was.
“Uh, because you asked to go out and have a life?” I said,
confused.
“OK. Where will you be?”
“I’ll be with the guys. We are going to look at suits.” I wrinkled
my nose. The last damn thing I wanted to do was go look at suits
for a wedding where I wasn’t Rosie’s groom, but I’d given my
blessing and needed to work through that shit. This was what it took
to keep us together, so I had to suck it up and accept she was going
to be the bride of one of my best friends.
Surprise crowded her face. “Really?”
“Yeah,” I muttered.
 “Bit early for all that,” Anson muttered. “Unless. . .?”
“We set a date,” Rosalie said, giving him a quick, tight smile.
“Ah.” A muscle thrummed along Anson’s jaw, and he shot me an
unmistakable scowl.
“When is the date?” He cleared his throat.
“Uh, August fifteenth,” she answered before nibbling on her
bottom lip.
“Still a bit early,” he muttered.
“Well, he’s making us buy other shit too,” I said. “We have the
engagement party this spring, and it sounds like this shit has to be
ordered in because it’s specially made designer bullshit.”
Rosie gave me a sympathetic smile. She knew I wasn’t into all
this stuff.
“You’ll have fun,” she said, going on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek.
“You guys need a normal day out.”
I begrudgingly agreed. We hadn’t exactly had many of those.
The idea seemed to genuinely make her happy, so I plastered a
smile on my face over the entire thing.
“What about the wedding dress?” Anson asked, nothing in the
question suggesting he wanted her to have one. I could understand.
Hell, I was living in those same feelings, but I also knew it was really
the only way since Enzo was so fucking stubborn about his family
traditions.
Unless some miracle came about, this was just how it was going
to have to be, shitty as it was.
“I don’t know,” she mumbled. “I have to call my mom and
Jamie.”
“Babe, you need to do that soon,” I said gently.
“I know,” she sighed. “You know how my dad was about
everything. Things are better, but they aren’t like they were before. .
.” her voice trailed off.
I got it. Before she had four guys. I knew I was accepted, but
the other three weren’t exactly welcomed into the Bishop's home
with open arms. This would probably only make it worse since it
wasn’t me marrying her.
 “Come on,” Anson said, nodding for us to follow. “Walk and talk.
We have class.”
He reminded me of Cole for a moment. Cole drove me practically
nuts with being on time. I didn’t mind walking into a place a few
minutes late. It seemed Anson and Cole shared a similar quirk. Or
maybe I was the odd one out for not giving a damn if I were late for
something.
Better late than never was my motto.
We fell in step with Anson and continued our trek. I didn’t push
the dress subject and neither did Anson. I knew she wanted to
marry Enzo simply because of her love for him, but I also knew if
she had her way, we’d all be up there with her. As it stood, this was
simply the best it was going to get. We’d been forever’d as Cole had
dubbed it, so this was it. Our rings were a symbol of her love and
commitment.
It did sadden me to know I’d never get my ceremony with her
though. I shoved the thought out of my head. Whenever I thought
about it, I’d go into a funk that was hard to get out of.
We entered the class together and made to take seats in the
back, but Anson snagged Rosie’s hand and led her to the front, her
gripping me tightly and forcing me to follow.
I grumbled as we took seats and shot Anson a sour look.
“Front is better,” he said to me with a shrug.
I rolled my eyes at him but settled in.
Class started, and I listened while the professor droned on and
on about the importance of vocal warm-ups. We did some
introduction shit before some worksheets. Overall, it was pretty
standard class shit that I found boring, but I caught the tiny smile
on Rosie’s lips and it made it worthwhile.
When classes finished, we left, my arm around her and Anson on
her other side like a third wheel. If he noticed, he didn’t seem to
care.
“Where would you like to go tonight?” he asked as we walked.
“Can we go to that singing club everyone hangs out at?” Her
green eyes glimmered.
 A tiny smirk teased Anson’s lips. “I thought we were going to
dinner.” He looked at me and raised his brows.
I sighed. “Take her singing. Dancing. Food. Whatever she wants.
. . within reason. Just make sure she’s safe.”
“She will always be safe with me,” Anson said as she hugged me.
I nodded. I knew this.
“Fine. Sounds like a plan. I’ll take her home now. Pick her up
around six. That’s when we’re leaving.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon, LeeLee,” he said, backing away
from us.
She grinned at him and waved before he turned and left us, his
head down. He still irritated me, and not just because of the kiss
thing, but because I knew he wasn’t going to relent with her.
But shit, maybe that wasn't a bad thing since I knew how much
he cared.
I sighed, hating thinking about it, and turned to Rosie.
“Home?” I asked, smiling down at her.
She nodded eagerly, making my heart swell. She seemed happy
and really, that was all that fucking mattered to me.
So whatever shit I had to eat, I’d do so with a smile on my face
because, at the end of it all, she was who mattered most to me.
 FIVE
ROSALIE

“O
h my god,” I moaned as Fox thrusted upward into me from the
driver’s seat in his Jeep. We’d made it into the garage but
hadn’t made it any further before he’d dragged me onto his lap and
pushed my skirt and panties aside before shoving up into me, his
lips fused to mine, his hands all over my body.
“That’s it, baby,” he husked out. “That’s my girl.”
I came with a shout, his hands on my waist as he guided me
through it, his breathing heavy.
“Fuck, I love making you come,” he rasped, snapping his cock
upward into my pussy so deeply I saw stars.
“I wanna make you come,” I managed to choke out between
kisses.
“Yeah, baby?” Fox wasn’t typically the dirty-talking type, but in
this moment, he was all those things and more. It turned me on so
much I thought I was going to come again just from hearing his
heavy breathing and raspy words.
“Fucking make me come, Rosie,” he growled.
He moved me faster on his cock, his hands tight on my hips
before letting me ride him on my own. He latched his lips around
one of my nipples as he sucked and nipped, making me ache with
want.
 I came again, the feeling so good I couldn’t stop moaning out his
name until he was shouting mine, his cock twitching with his release
deep inside me.
Breathless, we rested our foreheads against each other, sated
and delirious from the activity.
“Do you think Enzo is watching from the camera?” I murmured.
“I’m sure he is.” He let out a soft laugh. “He got one hell of a
show if he is.”
I smiled and kissed him again before we untangled from one
another and dressed.
“I need a shower,” I said, wrinkling my nose.
“Why?” He raised his brows at me. “I like it when you’re my dirty
girl.”
“You’re being weird today.” I laughed. “What’s going on?”
He shrugged. “Nothing. Guess I’m just trying to be happy.”
“Trying or are?” I got out of the Jeep. He followed and closed the
door behind him.
“I am,” he murmured, holding me at the waist again and placing
a kiss on my lips. “Seeing you happy makes me happy, Rosie. You’ve
been smiling a lot today. I like that.”
“I wish I could smile every day then,” I said, winding my arms
around his neck. “Because I love seeing you this way.”
His eyes sparkled as he stared down at me. “Me too, baby.”
“Hey, Enzo wants to know if Rosalie is staying in tonight or going
out,” Ethan called out as he poked his head through the doorway.
“I’m going out,” I said, grinning back at Fox, who chuckled.
“Then can you please come in here and calm Cole down? He’s
being, what’s the word I’m looking for?” Ethan frowned as we
walked to him.
“Relentless,” I supplied.
“Stubborn? Wants to back out on Rosalie going out with Anson?
Pissed off? Problematic?” Fox asked as we stepped past Ethan.
“Yeah, basically all those things,” Ethan said, sighing. “How are
you today, sweetheart?” He took my other hand in his and gave it a
squeeze.
 “I’m good. Worried about Cole,” I said, really hoping Cole would
relax.
Ethan gave me his gentle smile and kissed my temple before
releasing my hand as we stepped into the kitchen.
Cole zeroed in on me straight away.
“Rosebud, do you really want to go out tonight? It’s cold out. I
heard more snow is coming. Also, it’s flu season. I don’t want you to
get sick—”
I silenced him with a kiss. He let out a soft groan and parted his
lips, his tongue sliding against mine as he took the kiss to another
level that would have made onlookers blush if they weren’t my guys.
“Don’t go,” he whispered against my lips. “Stay here where I
know you’ll be safe, baby.”
“Cole, we agreed,” I answered back, twisting my fingers in his
Henley. “Please don’t backtrack.”
“Rosebud,” he said, cinching me tightly against his body. “I worry,
and I hate that motherfucker.”
I sighed and hugged him, not wanting him to worry so much.
“What do you want me to do? Be a lonely cat lady?”
“I’ll get you your first cat,” he offered softly. “If you stay home.”
I pulled away and looked up at him. So much worry was on his
face it made my chest hurt.
“OK. I’ll stay home,” I said, feeling bummed out. I didn’t want
him to worry though. I knew he didn’t like Anson and if he wanted
me home, I’d do it. My intention wasn’t to make him feel
uncomfortable because of my friendships, and god knew if he really
knew what had happened, he’d have killed him already.
Not wanting any of that, I relented.
His eyes lit up at my words, but it was short-lived as Enzo swept
into the room and pulled me away.
“Cole. Knock it off. We agreed on this. She’s going out like we
promised she could. I’ve already spoken to Anson. He’s taking her to
Starstruck on Ninth. He’s bringing one of his friends along just in
case. I’ll have a few guys watching from afar. I don’t foresee
anything terrible happening, so let’s see how tonight goes. OK?”
Enzo kissed my forehead and looked at Cole from over my shoulder.
 “Motherfucker,” Cole swore with a groan. “She gave in though.”
“Sunshine, please go get ready or whatever it is you need to do
so I can get him out of here. We’ll be back later tonight. We’ll
probably grab some dinner after. Anson said he’d have you home at
a reasonable time, but it’s solely up to your discretion. I just want
you to have a good time.”
“Enzo,” I said, kissing him. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you,” he murmured, kissing me back. “Go on. I
don’t want him to guilt trip you any more than he already has.” He
released me, and I turned to leave the room to see the worry still on
Cole’s face. I trailed my hand along his abs before leaving the room,
knowing Enzo was right about needing to get away. I knew I’d cave
if I had to stay and see the despair on Cole’s face any longer.
Once in my room, I peeled off my clothes, then went to my
shower and got beneath the warm spray, relishing in the heat and
comfort. I let out a breath and closed my eyes, hoping things were
going to get better.
So far, they seemed like they were.
As long as I could keep my guilt at bay, everything should work
out.
In theory.

I RAN off the small stage to the roar of the crowd and straight to
Anson, who grinned at me and gave me a high-five.
“Nice, LeeLee. Real nice,” he said as I wiped my brow.
Karaoke night. There was something about the rush of being in
front of a crowd that brought me to life.
“That was better than the original,” Ryder said, grinning at me.
“Thanks.”
“Let’s get some drinks.” Anson placed his hand on the small of
my back and led me to the bar. He ordered us drinks and we sat on
the barstools. I was way underage, but the bartender simply winked
at me and slid the drinks across the counter.
We sat at the bar, watching as more people took their turns
singing onstage. Some were great, others not so much, but the
atmosphere was light and joyful, so I was just excited to be there.
“I’ll be right back. Need to use the restroom. Stay right here,”
Anson said, getting to his feet. I nodded and watched him weave
through the crowd to the bathrooms.
“You know what? I’m going to go too.” Ryder slammed back his
drink and got up to follow, leaving me alone at the bar. Deciding I
needed another drink, I ordered one and sipped at it, happily
watching someone step off stage after singing her heart out to an
old country song.
“Hey.” A young guy smiled at me. “I saw you sing. You’re pretty
incredible.”
“Thank you.” I gave him a quick smile during the lull in the
music.
“I was wondering if I could get a picture with you,” he continued,
his eyes twinkling. “You’re going to be big someday. May as well
catch you before that happens.”
“Um, sure.” I got to my feet nervously as he pulled out his
phone. He moved in close to me and caught a few selfies before
pulling away.
“My name is Tate,” he said, offering me his hand. “And you’re. .
.?”
“Rosalie,” I said, shaking his hand.
“That’s what I thought they said your name was when they
announced you. Well, it was nice to meet you, Rosalie. I look
forward to, uh, seeing you again soon. Maybe sooner than you
think.”
“Um, sure,” I said, laughing a little. “Never know.”
“Never do.” He smirked at me before disappearing into the
crowd. He seemed nice enough but there was something about him
that also made me cautious. Deciding it was just because I was so
paranoid these days, I turned back to the bar and finished my drink
before getting another one, the room spinning. I’d definitely had
way too many, but who knew if this small amount of freedom would
last, so I wanted to do all I could to enjoy it.
Anson returned with Ryder and nodded at the bartender for
another.
“You’re not going to be able to drive us home,” I said around a
laugh, the deliciousness of my drunken state pouring through me.
He winked at me. “That’s what Ryder is for. He’s driving.”
I turned to look at him.
He shrugged. “I stopped drinking an hour ago just so I could DD
for you two.”
“Aw, what a lovely young man,” I said, laughing.
He chuckled. “The loveliest, Miss Rosalie.”
We spent another hour drinking and laughing, watching the
singers before I looked at my phone and saw the time.
Just after one in the morning. They were talking last call. Anson
had agreed to midnight with the guys, but I knew it was my
decision. At least that’s what I remembered Enzo saying.
Not wanting to piss any of the guys off, I put my hand on
Anson’s arm and leaned into him. Immediately, he inclined his head.
“I should go home. It’s late. I don’t want to be read the riot act.”
He nodded. “OK. Ryder?” He tossed Ryder his keys. Ryder caught
them and nodded for us to follow him out.
Anson had to steady me, and I silently cursed myself for drinking
so much as I stumbled along beside him.
We made it safely to his blacked-out Challenger, and he helped
me into the backseat before sliding in beside me, Ryder getting into
the front.
Ryder started the car, and it rumbled beneath us as Anson leaned
between the seats.
“She lives on Rosewood Court,” he said. “It’s pre-loaded into the
GPS. Tap there.” He sat back next to me as Ryder pulled out of the
parking lot.
“You’re so wasted,” Anson said with a chuckle, his blue eyes
sparkling beneath the passing streetlights. All four of them.
I winced and giggled. “I really am. I’m going to be in so much
trouble.”
 “Tell them to relax. You were out with people who know how to
protect you,” Ryder called out from the front seat.
“Mm, yes, I am,” I said, letting my head fall back to the seat. I
groaned as the spins took over.
“Please warn me if you’re going to throw up,” Anson said.
“Because if you throw up, I’m going to throw up. That’s just the
rules on how that works with me.”
“You have a weak stomach?” I looked at him with a raised brow.
“Just for vomit,” he muttered. “And just when I’m drunk.”
“Thought so. I’ve seen the things you used to do,” I teased. “The
Underground. The blood. Ick.”
He gave me a wry smile. “Yeah. It’s ick, songbird.”
“Ryder, can you roll the window down? It’s so stuffy in here.” I
fumbled with my jacket for a moment before getting it off, Anson
attempting to help me but coming up fairly useless on it.
The cool wind hit my face, and I breathed out and fell back
against Anson, who caught me.
“I’m really fucking drunk,” I mumbled, resting against his chest.
He sighed and ran his fingers lightly through my hair.
“The streetlights are making me so dizzy,” I continued.
“That’s the alcohol, LeeLee,” he murmured. “Close your eyes.
You’ll spin but eventually adjust.”
I did as he said, noting the spinning.
“I had a nice night,” I said, my words garbled and slurred. “With
you. I always do, Ani.”
“Me too, songbird.”
“I’m glad you’re mine,” I slurred. “Besties.”
He let out a chuckle. “Besties. Someday we’ll get those tattoos.”
“Mm, yes. Maybe they’ll be cats.”
“Maybe,” he said, humor in his voice.
He said something else, but I didn’t hear it because I was just
too far gone. I let the cool air blanket me and the drunkenness take
me away to a dark place where I could rest.
 SIX
ENZO

“S
he’s almost here,” I murmured, watching the tracking app bring
her home. It had been an awful last few hours. We’d picked
out a few new suits and the wedding tuxes and had gone to a late
dinner. That was hours ago now though. We’d all been on edge,
constantly checking our phones to see if she’d messaged.
She’d posted one photo on her Instagram of her, Anson, and
some guy I remembered being named Ryder. She looked beautiful in
it, her smile wide and her green eyes bright. As much as I wanted to
call and talk to her, I forced myself away from my phone and made
myself watch a movie in the living room with the guys.
“About damn time.” Cole went to the living room window and
stared into the night, awaiting her arrival.
“I don’t like her being away,” E murmured. “But I hate keeping
her here. It’s hard, isn’t it?”
“It is,” I murmured, watching as the app put her on our street.
“She’s fine. I spoke to Anson about an hour ago. She was having
a good time,” Fox said from his seat on the couch. He was the only
one who didn’t seem upset by any of it. Not that any of us were
upset, but we weren’t overjoyed and stress-free either. Not like Fox
seemed to be.
 A lot had changed with him after the incident with whatever
Anson had done with Everett Church.
I was desperate to know, but I trusted Fox. I really did. The hope
that he’d tell us one day kept that trust alive because I knew Fox. He
always waited until the right time to do anything.
“She’s here.” Cole stepped away from the window and made to
go to the front door, but I caught his arm.
“We can’t seem like we’ve been counting down the time,” I said.
“Let’s just be cool so she isn’t worried about us being worried.”
He scowled at me but went and flopped down next to Fox on the
couch. E shifted on the loveseat, and I waited in my chair.
The door opened and heavy footsteps thudded inside.
I sat forward as Anson came into the room with a passed-out
Rosalie in his arms.
“What the fuck?” Cole snarled, getting to his feet and going to
them, the rest of us on his heels.
“We had a little too much to drink,” Anson explained. “Her
especially. She passed out in the car halfway here.”
“Take her upstairs,” I said, trying to keep my anger in check.
Anson moved past us, and we followed him upstairs to her room
where he deposited her on her bed, smoothed her hair back from
her face before whispering something in her ear. He turned to us.
“She had a good time tonight. She sang on stage. We had a little
too much to drink, but I didn’t have the heart to slow her down.
Next time won’t be like this. I just wanted her to let go a bit,” he
said, his eyes locked on mine before he looked at the guys. “I don’t
want her to be punished for this. So please, don’t.”
I nodded tightly. “Thank you for taking care of her tonight.”
“Of course.” He inclined his head at me before clapping his hand
on Fox’s shoulder. “Fox.”
And with that, he left the room. None of us moved until we were
certain he was gone. Then we bounced into action, checking her
over. Aside from being drunk, she seemed fine and groaned a little in
her sleep.
“I’m going to let her get some rest,” E said, leaning down and
kissing the top of her head. “She doesn’t need us all in here coddling
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