“Send it to me,” Anson said, his voice laced with venom.
I did as he requested, watching on screen as he and Klaus watched the video. They were both pissed. Their rage vibrated off them. I suppose it was difficult to see another man pleasuring their wife, but she hadn’t belonged to them then.
“We need to find out who stole those videos,” Anson said. “Get more men on it. Go through every fucking memory you have on people who have been in and out of your fucking miserable lives! I want fucking answers, or I’ll be returning to the city to reclaim my fucking throne!”
I winced as he leaned forward. He was pissed. I’d never seen him so angry before. His dark brows knit tightly together, and he spoke through his teeth, his hands balled into fists. His blue eyes flashed at me as his words met my ears.
He truly was Matteo’s son.
“De Luca, sort this fucking mess. Because if I have to, you won’t be king of fucking Chicago anymore. I want an answer before the morning.”
“I don’t work for you,” I said fiercely, not liking being told what to do. I planned on answers anyway because it was Rosalie.
“No?” Anson’s voice turned deadly. “Then I guess I’m coming home. See you soon, De Luca.”
The video ended. The room was silent.
“Sir?” Benson asked softly.
“I’ll make a statement,” I said, my voice rough. “I’ll have it done in an hour’s time. Just… wait for me. I’ll be in touch. Meeting over.”
I dismissed Benson and his assistant. They left, but E stayed.
I hung my head, my fingers in my hair. This was a fucking nightmare.
“Enzo?” E kneeled next to me.
“Why?” I whispered. “I did everything I could to protect her from this life. Just why? Why can’t we have good things? Why can’t we be happy? What do I have to do?”
“I wish I knew,” E said softly. “All we can do is keep fighting. Like always.”
Fuck.Alwayswas really happening too fucking much.
I staredinto the camera in my office I had set up. I breathed out, ready to make my statement and hopefully get this shit to disappear.
“For reasons that escape me, my name has been dragged into a story where it does not belong.”
I stared at the camera, trying to remain calm instead of yelling for people to mind their own fucking business and leave my family alone. That we’d all lost so much already.
“The videos currently circulating are several years old. They depict a relationship that ended years ago. They were stolen from our personal storage and were not genuinely made available to the public for their viewing pleasure. Presenting them as though they are evidence of current events is dishonest, reckless, and intentionally misleading.”
I paused, giving the audience that would be viewing this a moment to absorb my words.
“The rumors suggesting I have any involvement in Bishop’s marriage, her pregnancy, or the paternity of her unborn child are false. There is no story. There is only a coordinated attempt to exploit old memories for attention while placing an innocent woman and her family in the crosshairs.” I paused once more, still forcing myself to remain calm.
“Bishop is a friend. Her husband is a friend. We have a relationship that is ours alone. I care about her well-being, as I would anyone who has endured this level of harassment, but the fantasy being sold to the public bears no resemblance to our reality. The people responsible know exactly what they’re doing.”
I leveled my glare.
“To every publication choosing clicks over facts, this is your opportunity to correct the record. To the individuals spreading fabricated stories, understand that defamation has consequences. And to the person stalking her, following her, and encouraging this circus under the delusion that you’re entitled to any part of her life… You are not. You are nothing. Your obsession ends now. I have spent my life dealing with people who mistake restraint for weakness. They inevitably regret that mistake. Leave Bishop alone. Leave her family alone. Leave her husband alone. Leave their unborn child alone. If you possess even a shred of decency, allow them to celebrate this chapter of their lives in peace. If not, don’t mistake my silence for indifference. This is the only statement I intend to make. Thank you.”
I ended the video and sent it to Benson to handle. I also sent it to Anson so he could watch it. Ultimately, I’d let him give the final approval. Benson already knew that.
I hadn’t left my office all evening, but E informed me that, despite Evan and Ryder’s best efforts, Rosalie wanted to remain here with Cole, at least for the night.
I poured myself a glass of whiskey and stared out my window to the city.
My phone buzzed after I finished my first glass of whiskey, and I answered it without checking the name on the screen.
