Chapter 14 Rosco
ROSCO
Enos: Get moving, Bro. Time is not our friend.
Me: You see something?
Enos: Not yet, but Kelvin has made a connection between our hostess and the mafia.
Enos: Dalton has the twins. He’ll meet us at your place.
Me: Heading out now.
“Angel, we have to go,” I tell her, rising to my feet while keeping her in my arms. My head is on swivel as I scan our surroundings. Even knowing Enos and Kelvin are doing the same, the need to keep Rachel safe and protected weighs heavily on me.
“Are they here?” Rachel asks fearfully, her head turning this way and that, searching for the enemy.
“No, angel. They aren’t here, but we need to get to a secure location.” Rachel nods, and to my delight, she rests her head on my shoulder, not protesting my carrying her through the park again.
Enos meets up with us on the path and walks the rest of the way with us to the parking lot. He moves to the passenger side of my truck, opening the door so I can settle Rachel in the seat. I set her down gently, reaching over to grab the seatbelt and secure her in.
“What are you doing?” Rachel asks as I’m buckling her in. “I’m a grown woman. I can buckle my own seatbelt.”
“I’m well aware you’re a grown woman,” I grumble, thinking about my cock’s reaction whenever she’s nearby. “I just want to be sure you’re secure. Humor me, okay?”
She snorts, mumbling something about a barbarian. I suppress a grin, knowing she’d punch it right off my face if she saw it. I back out of her space once I’m confident she’s buckled in and close the door. Enos is waiting by the hood of my truck with a knowing grin on his face.
“She’s going to be a handful,” he comments. “You sure you can handle her?” I scowl at him and receive a laugh in return. “I suggest a heavy-duty jock strap. You know, protect the family jewels.”
I roll my eyes, stalking past him in an effort to ignore him, but Enos isn’t having it. His hand snakes out to catch my arm. His face and tone shift to serious. His eyes bore into mine.
“Seriously, don’t worry, bro. We’ve got you and your girl.” I nod not bothering to argue the point that Rachel isn’t my girl. It will only waste time we don’t have.
I slip into the driver’s seat, buckling my own seatbelt before putting my truck in reverse and backing out of the space.
Turning out of the parking lot, I head in the direction of my home.
It isn’t a large place only two bedrooms, but it will do in the short term until we can have team meeting and determine the extent of the threat to Rachel and her brothers.
“Where are we going?” Rachel asks after we’ve been driving for a few minutes. I glance over as I reply.
“My house. You’ll be safe there while we figure out what to do.
” Her eyes widen briefly before giving me a single nod.
Her head turns to stare out the window. “Dalton has your brothers. He’ll meet us there and keep them safe in the meantime.
The guys and I will have a team meeting to figure out the best course of action.
Try not to worry, angel. Everything will be all right. ”
Everything Rachel has disclosed is astonishing. I’ve suspected since she first arrived that she is running from something or someone, but I never dreamed it had anything to do with the mafia. I’d thought more along the lines of an abusive ex.
She continues to amaze me. The fact she’s kept herself and the boys from the mob for six years is astounding. Yet it infuriates me, too. Just thinking of her being out there on her own while caring for the boys with no one to lean on. I can’t imagine how hard all of this has been on her.
“I’m not worried about my safety,” she replies after a moment of silent contemplation. “At least not as much as I worry about the boys. I know you will keep us safe, but I don’t want you and your family getting caught up in my mess.” She sounds so defeated.
“You don’t need to worry about me or my brothers, angel. This is what we do on the daily. We run a security company, in case you’ve forgotten,” I add cheekily, hoping to lighten the mood. She rolls her eyes in dramatic fashion, so I flash her a grin.
She doesn’t have to worry. She’s not alone, not anymore. I might not be right for her, and I’ll never be the man she deserves, but I will not leave her unprotected.