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“They’re going to keep him here for a while,” Vincent added. “It’s not looking like he’ll be leaving. And if he does…”

“What?” I frowned at him.

Vincent glanced to Levin.

“They’re talking about a stay at a place called Chapel Crest.”

“Everett Church,” I said.

Levin nodded glumly. “Yep. They’d have to get Matteo’s permission, but I’m sure he’d throw Dom to the wolves without hesitation right now.”

“Everett is an enemy. I can’t imagine Matteo agreeing to that,” I said.

Vincent let out a sigh. “I wouldn’t put it past him. We need to get Dom better. Luckily, Matteo hasn’t bothered to show up here. Let’s count our blessings on that.”

We were all quiet for a long beat before I chucked my shitty coffee into the trash. “Well, we’re here for you guys. For whatever you need.”

“We do appreciate it,” Levin said, glancing at Vincent. “But you guys are exhausted. You have your girl you need to see. Classes. A life. We don’t want to hold you up.”

I waved him off. “We’re fine. I have a four-oh GPA and don’t even show up half the time. Imagine if I did. Enzo doesn’t give a shit about classes. Fox holds his own. E has been doing shit online on his phone. We’re good.”

“And your girl?” Vincent pressed. “Trust me, Cole. Cherish her. She could be ripped away in a heartbeat,” his voice cracked. “Like our B was.”

I reached out and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “Have some faith, Vin. Maybe something good is just around the corner.”

“Do you believe that?” He looked at me with his big, brown eyes, so much desperation and hope in his voice that it broke my damn heart.

“I do,” I said solemnly. “Faith, man. OK?”

He nodded and forced a smile onto his face. “Right. Faith.”

I left the pair after that and returned to the lobby, really fucking hoping faith would keep us afloat. Or that Enzo would come through and produce a living Bianca.

That was the ultimate goal.

Just not at the expense of losing my Rosebud to that fuckhead Beyers.

I ground my teeth, knowing it was selfish of me to think that, but whatever. I knew what I wanted and would never let it go.

EIGHT

ANSON

“Father.” I greeted him with a hug. I’d left Rosalie at school to take her tests, knowing she’d be in the testing hall for a few hours. She’d promised not to leave the library once she’d left the hall, and I held her to that. Leaving her alone killed me, but I had to solidify a future with her.

My father clapped me on the back before moving to his seat behind the desk. I sat in the chair opposite him while Alessio and Klaus flanked his sides, and guards waited outside the door.

“What do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Alessandro?” Matteo’s eyes raked over me.

I exhaled. “It’s Dominic.”

His smile faltered, and he drew himself up. “What about him?”

“You don’t know?” I frowned at that. I assumed the hospital would have called him regarding the matter.

“I know he’s lost his wife.”

“Father, Dominic tried to kill himself. He’s in the hospital.” I watched his face, hoping for some sign of emotion. Nothing greeted me, though.