Chapter 23 #2
“I brought you a bag of candy,” Uncle Dario tells her, which makes Rosie glance around like a starved person. “I’ll get it.” He chuckles and hurries to the kitchen before returning with the massive stash.
When he places the bag beside Rosie, I notice how she keeps her face hidden behind her hair while she digs through all the candy and sodas. Feeling her tremble, I press a kiss to her shoulder.
“Oh, my God.” Her voice is strained, and she clears her throat. “You have no idea how much I missed chocolate.”
She pulls a mini Snickers bar out of the bag, and when she unwraps it, her fingers tremble.
“Thanks, Daddy,” she whispers before she takes a bite.
Suddenly she turns into me, and I place my other arm around her as she hides against my chest when she can’t keep a sob back anymore.
I glance at her parents, and seeing the worry on their faces, I say, “Dr. Milazzo said it will be normal for Rosie to be emotional for a while. She’s okay, though.”
My explanation doesn’t ease the concern in their eyes.
Rosie composes herself, and pulling back, she gives her parents a watery smile. “Please don’t worry. I’m so happy to be home and finally get a sugar rush that it overwhelms me.”
She convinces them she’s okay while I still feel her trembling.
Christ, I’m fucking lucky that Rosie has chosen me as her confidant, and she’s not trying to hide how she’s struggling from me as well.
Keeping her close to my side, I drop kisses on her hair and temple every couple of minutes.
“Do you need anything, baby?” Aunt Eden asks.
Rosie shakes her head. “Nothing I can think of at the moment. Thanks, Mom.”
Uncle Dario leans forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. “Do you want to talk about what you’ve been through?”
Rosie tenses beside me, then lets out a chuckle.
“There’s not much to tell. It was like living in a shitty motel while working.
Nothing bad happened. I just missed you all so much, but I’ll get over it real fast.” She lifts the half-eaten mini bar, then chuckles again.
“And boy, did I miss these. Enzo will have to pace me, or I’ll eat them all in one go. ”
“Yes, please watch her,” Aunt Eden says to me. “Don’t let her get sick.”
“I’ll make sure she takes it slow.”
Rosie continues to hold the half-eaten chocolate in her hand while she visits with her parents, and as Uncle Dario tells her that her grandparents got two puppies, Rosie’s body relaxes against mine.
I look down, and noticing she’s drifted to sleep, I say, “She’s lights out.”
Uncle Dario climbs to his feet and comes closer. He takes the chocolate out of Rosie’s hand and places it on the coffee table before he leans over her and presses a kiss to her forehead.
Crouching in front of us, he brushes his thumb over her bitten nails before his eyes flick to mine. “I hate that she’s putting up an act, pretending it wasn’t bad.”
“Rosie has always been like that,” Aunt Eden whispers. “She’s always so careful not to inconvenience anyone, but I feel she needs to see a therapist. She can’t just bottle it all up.”
Wanting to give them some peace of mind, I say, “She’s talking to me. If she wants to get help, I’ll find someone for her, but knowing Rosie, that won’t happen.”
“How bad was it?” Uncle Dario asks me.
“I’m sorry.” I shake my head. “I can’t share anything she tells me in confidence.”
He lets out a sigh as he rises to his feet, and staring at his daughter, he replies, “I don’t like it one bit, but I understand.”
Holding his hand out to Aunt Eden, he waits until she takes it, then he gives me half a smile. “We’ll come around tomorrow again.”
I nod, not moving from beside Rosie.
Aunt Eden places her palm to my jaw, giving me a thankful look before she brushes her hand over Rosie’s hair.
When they leave, we sit for a moment and stare at the bag of candy.
Again, Rosie only naps for close to thirty minutes, and when she brushes her cheek against my chest, I press my mouth to her hair and hug the shit out of her.
“Did my parents leave?” she asks, her tone fragile.
“Yes. They’ll be back tomorrow.” I wait to see if she’ll continue telling me what happened, and when she just holds me, I ask, “Want to talk some more?”
My phone rings, and I growl at the interruption as I yank the device out of my pocket, but seeing Rodian’s name, I quickly answer. “Hi. How are things in Russia?”
Rosie’s head snaps up, and I put the call on speakerphone.
“Volatile. Some men have formed their own group, but most have fallen in line. How’s Rosie doing?”
“I’m okay,” she answers. “Have you checked in with Tim? Is he okay?”
“Tim will be fine. Don’t worry about him. I paid him a life-changing amount for the shit he went through, and now the little shit thinks he’s my personal hacker.”
The first real chuckle escapes Rosie as a happy smile splits over her face. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, he’s the one who found the group of men who are not happy that I took over as Pakhan.
He’s not as good as you, but I’m sure with time he’ll give you a run for your money.
” Rodian clears his throat. “Tim asked for your phone number. He said he could only find the old one. I think he wants to keep in contact with you.”
Rosie’s eyes fly to mine. “Can I use your number until I get a new phone?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll pass it on to the kid,” Rodian says.
“Let us know if things get out of control or you need backup,” I tell the new head of the Bratva. “I’d hate to see you fall after going through all that trouble.”
He lets out a chuckle. “I have everything under control. Is Yegor still alive?”
“For now.”
“Send me proof of his death once you’ve had your fill of torturing him. It will help silence the opposing group if they see their leader is dead.”
“It’s going to take a while,” I warn Rodian. “I’m going to make him suffer for two and a half months.”
“Enjoy it.”
We end the call, and I drop the phone on the couch before letting my eyes drift over Rosie’s face.
She stares at the coffee table for a long while before she says, “I’m glad Tim seems to be doing okay.”
“Yeah. Want to tell me how the two of you got so close?” I ask, hoping it will get her talking about her time there.
Rosie shrugs. “We actually had very little contact. After they threatened to kill Tim, I did what they asked of me to keep him safe. Even though he was in the cell beside mine, he never talked to me. None of them did.”
My head jerks back. “Christ, Rosie.”
“It was so hard for me not having anyone to talk to.”
“You can talk my ear off,” I say while brushing my hand up and down her back.
The corner of her mouth lifts slightly as she meets my eyes. “You’re going to regret saying that.”
I shake my head. “Never.”