Page 231 of Savage Devotion
Ellis nodded excitedly, and Ann gestured for her to come in. She went inside, but came back to hug Rosalie.
“I love you, Mommy,” Ellis said as she clung to Rosalie.
“I love you, too,” Rosalie whispered, her voice shaking. “Be good, OK? I’ll be right back.”
“OK.” Ellis released her and ran back into Ann’s. I could hear Riot’s footsteps rushing to meet her.
“We’ll call if we’re running late,” I said to Ann.
“Of course. Be safe.”
I nodded and led Rosalie away.
We rode the elevator down in silence. Memphis had the car pulled up for us, and I helped Rosalie get inside, following her.
“Dante Church’s,” I said.
Memphis hesitated, but pulled onto the street. No one liked to go to Dante Church’s place.
I sat next to Rosalie, neither of us speaking. Finally, it was her who broke the silence.
“I’m afraid,” she said, her voice wobbling. “I’m afraid for you.”
I took her hand in mine and looked at her. “I deserve everything I get, Rosalie.”
“Enzo—”
“Shh.” I kissed her palm. “I trust Evan. I do. If he keeps it all, so be it. He died for it. It’s really his empire anyway. He was right. This city was always his. I’m OK with that.”
A tear trickled down her cheek. “How did we get here?”
“A lot of fucking up on my part. It’s come full circle.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Enzo. I won’t.”
“I believe you.”
We rode the rest of the drive in silence. When we arrived at Church’s, Rosalie got us in without issue, and Malachi met us at the door.
“We were expecting you,” he said. “Sis, why are you crying?”
I looked over to see the tears still on Rosalie’s cheeks.
“Hormones,” she said.
I took her hand in mine again and gave it a gentle squeeze. Malachi zeroed in on the motion as he stepped aside. We entered, the heavy door snapping shut behind us.
“Church won’t like this. I advise you not to touch her in front of him,” Malachi said, his dark eyes on me.
“I no longer care what anyone thinks,” I said. I’d made up my mind. I was going to join her and the guys. I was telling Cole today. I was going to beg E to come with us. The pieces were falling into place. We could all finally be together. Years of hurting were almost over.
“If you want something from Church, then I suggest you respect him,” Malachi said. “I’m not saying it to be a dick. She’s my sister, and even I feel like punching you in the face seeing you touch her. I highly advise you to keep your distance when you speak to him. For peace, Enzo. For acceptance.”
I let Rosalie’s hand fall away from mine.
Fine. I’d play the game for the underground for now.
Malachi nodded and led us to Church’s office. He knocked once before pushing the door open. Church sat in his chair, speaking to two men I didn’t know.
