Page 173 of Savage Devotion
“I am too,” I whispered. “I want to be with her, but Laz… I don’t want her to wake up every morning and be reminded of Celeste.”
Enzo sighed. “I know, E. I get it. You don’t need to explain it to me. But if you want her, take her.”
“What about you?”
He drank again. “What about me?”
“You said you wanted her too. You guys seem to be getting along better. And last night you stayed?—”
“I’m more concerned about you and Cole. Not myself. I have a lot going on in my life that needs to be sorted first.”
He went quiet after that and drank, staring at the wall. I knew pushing him on anything was useless, so I sat with him in that silence, hoping the shadows on the wall might spell out all the answers we needed.
Enzo was gonewhen I woke. He had to work. After I dropped Laz off with six of our men following me, I decided to stop and check on Rosalie. Just because she wasn’t my girl didn’t mean I didn’t give a shit about her.
I knocked on the door to her apartment and waited for an answer. It seemed like forever before I heard the locks clicking and the door opened so I could come face to face with Evan.
“Hey,” I said thickly. “I was just stopping in to check on Rosalie.”
He eyed me from behind his sunglasses for a moment before stepping aside for me. I entered the apartment and looked around. It was a beautiful, spacious place that gave me a sense of comfort. I really liked the space.
“This is really nice,” I said as Evan led me to the couch. “Where is everyone?”
“Klaus is on a phone call, and Anson and Cole are currently arguing about baby names while Rosalie showers. Ryder went to get some breakfast for everyone.”
“Oh.” I sat on the couch and watched as he took an overstuffed chair across from me. “How are you… Evan?”
“I’m well,” he answered in that raspy, hoarse voice of his. “You?”
“Good,” I said, smoothing my hands down my pants and clearing my throat. “Good. Been busy.”
He inclined his head. “Busy is good.”
“It is,” I agreed softly, not even knowing how to talk to him. He definitely wasn’t Fox Evans anymore. Fox had beeneasygoing and happy. This guy was quiet and angry. I could see that quiet anger of his simmering beneath the surface.
“I’m not angry,” he said, cutting into my thoughts.
I blinked rapidly at him. “Oh, um, I-I didn’t… I mean…”
He was wearing his aviators, so I couldn’t see his eyes, but I assumed he was staring at me.
“It’s OK,” he said, his voice softer and less gruff. “All the shit I went through left a lasting mark. Sometimes I wonder if it damaged my brain.” He laughed softly. “But I’m not angry, E. I’m scared. I’m cautious. And if I am angry, it’s not at you. It’s at the monsters in this world.”
I breathed out. I had no idea whether he was just guessing at my thoughts or really hearing them. It freaked me out a little, but I knew the De Santis family had its quirks. He was Asylum’s cousin after all.
“I’m angry at them too,” I said.
“Perhaps we’ll get our moment in the sun with them.” He settled back in his chair and seemed to be staring at me.
It was unnerving.
“So how was Cole last night? No issues?”
He shook his head. “Not really. We tied him to a chair and made him watch while Anson fucked Rosalie. Seemed to be a fitting punishment.”
I blinked at his response.
“You’re welcome to join us,” he said, sitting forward. “For old times’ sake.”
