Chapter 15 Rachel
RACHEL
Oh my God! How did I let this happen? I let my guard down, that’s how.
Over the years, I’ve become a master at compartmentalizing the awful things I’ve seen and done to keep my brothers and I safe. It’s how I’m able to sit here in Rosco’s truck and not be completely falling apart.
Yes, I’d broken down for a hot minute, but I’ve locked myself back down. I’ve turned off the fear, the disgust, and basically any emotion related to the ugly parts of life associated with the mob. It’s a skill I’ve had to master.
While being on the run, I’ve saved all my energy and emotions for my brothers.
More than anything, I want them to have as normal a life as possible.
They both remember the horrible things they saw before we went on the run, but we don’t ever talk about it.
Being their sole caregiver has been frightening and overwhelming at times.
I haven’t had anyone to depend on. I’ve had to be strong, to bear the weight of everything by myself.
Now Rosco is here, looking out for us, and I no longer want to always be the strong one.
I’m finding it easier and easier to lean on him when things get difficult.
Not to mention the physical attraction between us.
I want him. Badly. My brothers’ needs come first, but a small part of me wants to put my needs first if only for a night… or three, whatever he’ll give me.
Rosco is taking me to his house. My mind keeps going to my darkest fantasies.
The ones I’ve been dreaming up since the night I first met him.
And how could I not? He’s so gorgeous, like a Greek god carved from perfection.
I want to lick him like an ice cream cone. A hot, sexy, delicious ice cream cone.
A shiver runs through me. Images of our naked bodies cross my mind, causing my nipples to harden and my core to ache.
My mouth sliding down his thick engorged length while he tangles his hand in my hair.
Not that I’ve seen him naked and hard, but I have a very vivid imagination.
I can envision his rigid cock covered in velvety soft skin with precum leaking from the tip.
The length of him glistening from my saliva.
My panties dampen from just the thoughts of having him in my mouth.
I’m in so much trouble! And not just because I’m on the run from my mobster stepfather. Not to mention the crazy-ass man he tried to sell me to. But mostly, I’m in trouble because of the sexy man who is giving me that panty dropping grin.
How on earth can I stay in his home and not jump his bones? It’ll be pure torture. I try, unsuccessfully, to stifle a groan.
Suddenly Rosco takes my hand, threading his fingers between mine.
I hold on for dear life. I could keep my cool if it was just my brothers and me, because I’d have to.
However I’ve come to learn over the last several months that I don’t have to be strong all the time.
The Robertsons have welcomed us in like family.
“We will be there soon.” Rosco’s deep rumble draws me from my worrying thoughts. We share a glance at one another. “You looked worried. You getting anxious about your brothers?”
I give him a weak smile. There’s no way I’m going to tell him what I’ve been thinking about.
I’ll just let him believe I’m worrying about my brothers, which I am.
I’m always worrying about them in the back of my mind, but Rosco has gotten more of my attention than not lately.
It’s likely why we’ve stayed here so long, which is how my stepfather found us.
I should be feeling guilty, and I do, but since the moment I met him, I haven’t been able to put Rosco out of my mind.
Minutes later, we pull up to a small house in a nice neighborhood. A couple of black SUVs are already in the driveway, pulled over to one side, allowing Rosco to pull into the garage. As soon as the truck pulls into the space, Rosco gives my hand a squeeze.
“Sit tight, I’ll come around.” I want to roll my eyes again, but I refrain.
I unbuckle my seatbelt, then he opens my door and helps me down from its massive height. The inside door to the house flies open. My brothers burst out into the garage.
“Rachel!” they yell in unison as Rosco and I round the front of his truck on our way to meet them. Dalton is hanging back by the door.
“Thank God, you’re all right!” Ricky exclaims, running up to wrap his arms around me. “What happened? Have Dad’s goons found us again?” I hug him back, so thankful to see them safe and sound. Nicky joins us in a hug, too.
“I’m afraid so,” I murmur holding them close.
“Let’s get inside,” Rosco commands from behind me. “Then we will discuss everything.”
I wrap an arm around each of my brothers and head toward the door.
It’s time to get this over with. I’ve never told anyone that we are on the run or who we really are, but I know I can’t keep lying to Rosco or his family.
They deserve to know. And the main thing is I trust him with this secret.
I know he won’t use it against us or trade us for money or power like others might.
We enter through a mud room and into a small kitchen with a breakfast nook just past a bar that separates the spaces.
To the left sits the living room and main entrance to the home.
Nicky walks over to pick up three duffle bags sitting by the front door.
Our go-bags. We keep them packed for just such an occasion.
“Let me show you around,” Rosco says, leading us down a short hallway. There are three doors in the hall, one on either side about halfway down and one at the end. Rosco stops at the door on the righthand side and opens the door to reveal a combination home gym, office, and game room.
A treadmill sits in the far corner next to a weight bench and a rack of free weights. Across from the door is a large L-shaped desk with a large gaming computer, PS5 with various controllers, and several monitors. The boys are standing just inside the door with their mouths hanging open.
“I don’t have a bed in here, but I’ll get you some sleeping bags.
We can make due for tonight. I’ll come up with a better solution tomorrow.
” The boys don’t seem to mind not having a bed.
Their eyes are glued to the gaming set up.
Nicky drops the duffle bags just inside the door, moving over to check out the game consoles and computer.
Both boys are practically drooling over the high-tech gaming computer.
Apparently Rosco can feel their enthusiasm because he walks over to press a button firing it to life. An array of cool LED lights come to life with vibrant changing colors—red, purple, blue, teal, and green—as the fan whirls.
“Whoa!” Nicky exclaims, delight dancing in his eyes. “That’s a really nice set up you have.” I wait by the door while the “men” talk geek, and Rosco shows them the intricacies of his computer and PS5 set up.
It isn’t that I don’t understand what they’re talking about. I have a major in computer science, but I never got into the nuances of computer gaming. I’d rather hack into a system or build an impenetrable firewall.
“You’re welcome to play while I get Rachel settled,” Rosco says after explaining everything. The boys nod and grin. Rosco glances down at the bags Nicky dropped. “Which bag is your sister’s?” Nicky grabs my bag and hands it to Rosco.
“Come, angel,” Rosco rumbles while urging me out the door.
Across the hall is a full guest bathroom with a tub/shower combo, a small vanity with a sink, and toilet. The walls are a medium blue and a white tiled floor. We turn to the right, moving down the hall that dead ends at a closed door. Rosco pushes it open to reveal a large master suite.
An enormous bed is situated across from the door, dominating the room with matching nightstands on either side.
The headboard is a rich walnut color with intricate swirls carved into the wood.
It’s covered by a forest-green comforter and a variety of throw pillows.
A large dresser and a chest of drawers are sitting on either side of the door.
Rosco walks toward the wall to our right where there is a set of double doors. He opens them both to reveal a huge walk-in closet that I’m instantly jealous of. He drops my bag down beside the door and proceeds to rock my world.
“You can put anything you need to hang up in here. There are plenty of empty hangers.” Then he moves to the dresser opening several drawers on the left side. “I don’t use these so you can put your things in here.”
I stand, staring at him with my mouth hanging open, not sure what is happening. Is he planning on us sleeping together, or is he just being a gentleman and giving me his room?
I’m a total coward, so I don’t ask.
“Thank you,” I reply instead, my voice cracking.
“Do you want to shower and change?” he asks, as he opens another door to reveal the en suite bathroom, which has me drooling. Peeking inside, I see his and hers sinks, a huge walk-in shower, and farther into the room, I catch a glimpse of a claw-footed tub against the far wall.
“That would be nice,” I answer as I try to remember what I have to wear in my emergency bag.
“I’m sure I have something you’ll find comfortable to lounge around in,” Rosco says as he steps out of the bathroom and opens a drawer on the dresser. He pulls out a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. “Towels and wash cloths are in that closet.” He points to a door next to the shower stall.
I should wear my own things, but I can’t deny the desire to be in his clothes. I pick up his shirt and hold it up to my nose as I inhale deeply. It smells like him. Our eyes meet and my stomach does a little flip.
“Thanks again,” I say as he closes the door, leaving the clothes on the sink. I make quick work of showering and then slipping into his clothes. I can’t help the overwhelming feeling of rightness that hits me as I pull his shirt over my head and step into his shorts.