He sighed and blew out a breath. “I vowed to come like a dog when called. I had to make a deal with the devil.”
“The devil?”
“My mother,” he said, his voice stone-cold. “I had to make a choice after graduation from high school.”
I frowned at him. “And she gave you your freedom.”
“If you can call it that. Someday, she will make good on our deal. I’m just waiting for the nightmare to happen.”
“You won’t be alone,” I said to him. “If you’re with us, you won’t be alone in it.”
He said nothing as he stared at his empty glass.
“Cole—”
“I’m sorry I was ever a dick to you. I know you’re good to Rosalie. And our daughter. I was hot-headed and hurting back then. Possessive. Obsessed with her and the prospect of building a better family than I ever had. Rosalie always sees the good in people. It’s probably what kept her with us so long, despite our sins. I knew we let her go, but deep down, I never did. I never fucked another woman. She was all I ever wanted. Then. Now. Forever. I know I was given an ultimatum, but it’s not just black and white. There are a lot of moving pieces on the board, Seeley. It’s my entire life I’m being asked to leave behind. My brothers. It’s hard for all of us.”
“I understand,” I murmured. “I walked from mine once upon a time too.”
“Yeah, well, Matteo is dead, and where the hell even is Alessio?”
I chuckled softly. “Around.”
He grunted at that but didn’t push it.
“How did you do it? Leave?”
“I fell in love and knew I wanted a better life,” I said. “It was a no-brainer. Rosalie offered me something I’d never had before. Love. Family. A second chance. I was someone similar to you. I craved the acceptance. The family. The love. In fact, I wanted it so much that I nearly tore her and Anson apart. I was willing to sacrifice it all for her.”
“Ass Hat,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Guy sure can fuck.”
I laughed softly at that. “He does know his way around a mattress and pussy.”
“Pretty fucking prick. I hate that he fucks so good, but I also like it because Rosalie likes it.”
“Funny how that works, huh?”
“It is,” he murmured. He was quiet for a moment. “I’m going to hurt my own feelings here, but do you and him…?”
I raised my brows. “Do we what?”
“You know. Fuck together. Kiss.”
“I do not kiss my brothers,” I said, amused at the question. “We have never gone that far. Anson and Evan are cousins. Be a bit weird, although they fuck her together so I suppose many would consider the relationship odd. And Ryder, well, I haven’t had the pleasure of fucking her with him just yet, but I’ll let you know if I cave in and end up letting my cock slip. I don’t kiss my brothers. Why are you asking?”
Cole’s leg bounced, and he cleared his throat.
“No reason.”
“Don’t lie, Scott. I used to interrogate liars. You’re a terrible one, by the way.”
“I’ve kissed him,” he mumbled. “That’s all.”
“Yeah?” More amusement swept through me. “Everything you hoped for?”
“Fuck you, man. No. I just wanted to fuck with him. Didn’t know if kissing was part of you guys’ dynamic in the bedroom,” he said.
“It’s not, but if you enjoyed yourself, and he didn’t break your dick off, I’d say you’re OK to do what feels good. He’s not gay, though.”
