“So what do you think?” Anson asked. “You want to give it a try?”
“Are you sure?” I looked at each guy. “Do you think it’s… safe?”
“Baby, nothing in this world is safe, but out of all the places in the world, this is probably the safest. Us. The kings. Dante and the ghosts, the horsemen. I mean, someone would have to have a deathwish to fuck with you.” Evan sat forward again. “I really do think it’s safe here.”
I nodded, contemplating his words. He was right. Dante had a fortress. He ruled the underground. Enzo and Dominic ruled the city. Well, most of it. That Virelli guy had some of it, and from my understanding, was trouble, but trouble could be handled.
“I want to do it,” I said. “Let’s try.”
“Yeah?” Klaus asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. I think we’re going to need a bigger place. I love this apartment, but we do need more room, especially if Cole and the guys join.”
“We don’t know that they are,” Ryder said. “It’s too early to tell.”
“Cole will join,” Klaus said without hesitation.
I nodded. I knew without a doubt he was with us. I was hopeful Enzo would. I feared Ethan would continue to push away. It was breaking my heart, and I didn’t know how to remedy it. He was so worried about my feelings that he wasn’t seeing how great everything could be. Sure, it might be hard, but I really liked Lazarus. He was a sweet little guy, and I knew Ethan was good.
I shoved the thoughts away, hating that it was even an issue for him. If only Ethan knew how much I missed and wanted him. It didn’t seem to matter that I told him. He was simply too focused on not making things worse for anyone.
“We have a few houses picked out we thought you’d like,” Klaus continued. “Evan has them, and he can take you out with Ryder to look at them this week. My guy has all the information. If you like any of them, we’ll buy it.”
I grinned, excited at the prospect.
“I knew you’d like it,” Evan murmured.
“You know me too well.”
He smirked at me.
I turned back to Ryder and smiled. “Are you OK with this?”
“I am,” he said, nodding. “This is my city too. I do miss it.”
I leaned in and kissed him. He was hesitant at first, but eventually fell into the kiss.
“Why?” I whispered against his lips.
“It’s my first time kissing another man’s woman in front of him. Or rather, them. I’m trying, Red,” he whispered back.
“So all the women with husbands you’ve kissed were never around?”
He laughed softly. “Correct.”
“You’re dirty and bad,” I said.
“Maybe.” His eyes sparkled as he stared at me.
“Why don’t you come say goodbye to me with Rosalie in her room?” Anson called out.
Ryder tensed, his eyes widening.
“Please?” I murmured, leaning in to kiss him again.
“Fuck, how could I say no to you?” he asked.
I smiled against his lips. “Come on.”
