Chapter 20 Rachel #2
“Rachel?” Kelvin speaks up, drawing everyone’s attention. “I might be able to relieve some your concerns, even if it doesn’t eliminate the threat.” Hope wants to rise up, so I nod.
“I’ve been monitoring the Winthrop’s communications,” Kelvin continues even while his eyes flit from one computer to another that he’s had spread out in front of him on the coffee table.
“They’re frustrated that they’d been unable to find you at the restaurant.
They’d decided it would be easier to follow you from there so as to not alert us to their intentions.
They’ve made it clear they want to avoid drawing Invictus Securities’ attention.
They’ve made mention of the fact they we have friends in high places who would be very interested in taking down their organization,” Kelvin concludes.
“We are good for now. I’ll stay on top of this and alert the team the second there are any indications things have changed. ”
I breathe a sigh of relief, feeling comforted by his words. Rosco gives me a squeeze, and I manage to give him a smile. We may have to leave eventually if we can’t find some way to neutralize my stepfather, but, for now, we don’t have to run.
It's still surreal that we were found by my stepfather’s half-brother this far from Chicago.
How shitty is my luck? I don’t know what evil deed I did in my past life to warrant such bad karma now, but I’d really like to kick my former self’s ass.
I know, I know. Karma, fate, destiny, whatever you want to call it, isn’t real, but damn it sure feels like it when my world is coming down around me.
Enos’s phone suddenly pings several times in a row, causing me to grow concerned. After checking his phone, he suddenly closes up his laptop.
“I need to get going,” he says as he places his laptop into his case, rising to his feet. Rosco’s body tenses under me. “I’ll check in later,” Enos calls over his shoulder as he heads toward the front door.
“You okay?” Rosco asks as he eases me out of his lap and into the recliner.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I say with a smile. He drops a kiss to my forehead as he stands.
“I’ll be right back.”
Rosco follows Enos out the front door. He isn’t gone more than a minute, but when he returns, he looks thunderous.
Anger is radiating off him in waves. I can’t stand seeing him this upset.
I get up from the recliner and meet him halfway across the room.
I don’t really know what I’m doing, but I just know that I need to calm him down.
Taking his hand, I lead him into the kitchen.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask once we are alone. He shakes his head, but I’m determined to get him to talk to me.
“Don’t lie to me. I can tell you’re seriously pissed off about something. Something to do with Enos leaving. Please…talk to me.”
Rosco stares down at me, indecision warring in his gorgeous chocolate eyes. I see the moment he gives up and decides to confide in me.
“It’s Enos,” he sighs heavily and runs his hand through his hair.
“He’s being an idiot, and he refuses to listen to reason.
” I frown at him, not understanding why he is so upset with his brother.
They all seem to be so close. Sure, they bicker and pull pranks on one another, but I’ve never really seen them be truly angry with each other.
“What’s he being an idiot about?” I question, hoping I’m not crossing a line.
I lay my hand on Rosco’s arm. Instantly the electric connection we seem to have flares to life.
His gaze drops to where my hand is resting on his arm.
He sucks in a breath and leans into my touch.
I feel his body relaxing as I stroke his arm.
“He’s obsessed with that bitch, Kristen Jones,” Rosco growls, angrily. “She betrayed us. She helped the Brotherhood abduct Marley and Shelby. They’d had suicide vests strapped to them, for fuck’s sakes!
“If we hadn’t gotten extremely lucky, they both could’ve died, and she’d have been to blame, at least in part. How can he even look at her, much less be all worried about her?”
I’ve heard the story from both Marley and Shelby.
Shelby is still wary of her, but doesn’t hate her like I would’ve expected.
Marley feels sorry for Kristen and believes, like Enos, that Kristen is redeemable.
I don’t know the woman, having only seen her a couple of times when Enos brought her to events, but I know Marley.
If she believes in Kristen, then the woman must have some good qualities.
It’s been hard not to notice how Enos acts around Kristen. He watches her with such an intensity you can feel it. Honestly it has made me a little jealous. I want Rosco to watch me that way. It is the same way Luke looks at Marley, and Bo looks at Shelby, like they are the only woman in the world.
“He loves her,” I answer. “Right or wrong, he sees good in her. Perhaps he’s blind because of his love for her, or maybe he sees more than we do.” Rosco glares at me not at all liking what I have to say. “Perhaps Enos can lead her to the light?”
Rosco’s face transforms from anger to shock followed closely by dismay. Suddenly his lips are on mine, stealing my breath in a heated kiss that turns soft and sweet much too soon. He slowly, reluctantly pulls away.
“You really believe he can save her?” Rosco whispers, his eyes finding mine.
I nod because he’s stolen my breath with his kiss, and I know he isn’t really asking about Kristen.
He’s asking about himself, but he’ll never admit it.
He doesn’t feel worthy, not of me, not of being loved, not even of having his close family.
I pray that I have the time to find out what has hurt him so badly. What makes him feel this way about himself. Given the time, I’ll show him just how worthy he is. I’ll love him so well and so good he won’t be able to believe anything else.
He studies me a minute longer before giving me a single nod. Taking my hand, he leads us back into the living room where Jason, Matthew, and Dalton have joined the others by the time we return.
“I see don’t see any alarming activity at the Winthrop estate,” Kelvin announces just as we enter the room. “I think we can rest easy tonight.” Jason stands, leaves the room, and heads down the hall toward the bedrooms. Matthew and Dalton stand up, too.
“We’ll make a final sweep of the neighborhood,” Dalton declares, heading toward the front door.
“It’s time we head home, don’t you think?” Luke asks Marley who has their little one on her shoulder, patting his back in an effort to burp him. Marley looks at me with concern, but I nod to let her know I’m fine.
I appreciate that she and Shelby ran right over when they’d heard about what had happened at the event, but I’m good now. They need to get their little ones settled down for the night.
“Yes, I suppose so,” Marley reluctantly agrees.
Shelby’s head is laying on Bo’s shoulder.
She and baby Axel are both fast asleep. They make such a sweet picture, cuddled up together.
Bo gently nudges Shelby’s shoulder. Her eyes blink, sleepily.
A sweet smile forming on her lips when her eyes focus on Bo.
He leans down to kiss her lips so tenderly I look away not feeling right about witnessing such a tender moment between them.
Rosco must have seen it, too. His arms tighten around me gently.
I tilt my head back and to the right to glance up at him.
He smiles down at me with such intensity in his eyes.
My hand comes up to rub the side of his face, loving the feel of his beard on my hand.
Images of it rubbing other places flash through my mind.
Rosco’s pupils dilate, seeming to read my mind.
I can’t keep the grin off my face when he waggles his eyebrows at me.
“Hey, Rach?” Ricky calls to me as he and Nicky enter the room with Jason. I drop my hand. My face heating with embarrassment at being caught by my brother again. Although he can’t know what Rosco and I were thinking, I’m sure he can imagine from the look on my face.
“Um…yeah, Ricky, what’s up?” I stammer to reply. I think I hear a few chuckles, but I choose to ignore them and focus on my brother.
“Nicky and I are going to spend the night at Jason’s,” Ricky informs me. “That is, if it’s okay with you.” I start to protest, but Jason jumps into the conversation.
“I have very good security at my place,” Jason assures me.
“They don’t have school tomorrow since it’s Sunday, and I just thought they could hang out at my place.
I have a really nice game room, computer set up, and a guestroom with bunk beds for my nephews.
Matthew and I were already planning to have a game day with my nephews tomorrow anyway.
I just thought the twins would enjoy hanging out and playing video games.
It might help get their minds off everything. ”
I can’t argue with his reasoning, but I haven’t spent a night away from them in almost six years. It’s a little terrifying, letting them out of my sight for a whole night. I’m running the risks through my head when Nicky speaks up.
“Please, Rachel?” Nicky begs. I glance at him. He has his hands steepled, like he’s praying, and his expression is pleading for me to agree. How can I say no to that face? Ricky joins him, so I’m outnumbered as usual.
“Okay, you guys can go,” I relent. The boys whoop and high-five each other. Jason is smiling and pats the boys on the back.
“Go get your things, and we’ll head out,” Jason tells the boys.
My brothers take off like their asses are on fire, still hollering and laughing.
I shake my head. Nothing gets them more excited than sharing computer knowledge with someone who’s just as enthusiastic as they are or playing a new video game.
I’m happy they are going to have a distraction from all the craziness that has fallen upon us today.
It’ll be good for them to make new friends, too.
“Stop worrying, angel.” Rosco’s voice rumbles in my ear. “They’ll be perfectly safe with Jason. He won’t let anything happen to them.” I sigh, knowing he is right, but the mother hen in me doesn’t want to let go.
“I’m trying not to, but I’ve been solely responsible for them for almost six years,” I say. “It’s hard to let go.” Rosco hugs me to him, kissing my temple.
“I can understand that, angel, but Jason will take care of them just like he would his nephews,” Rosco assures. “You don’t seem to understand this yet, but you and those boys are family, now. We protect and care for our family fiercely. You have nothing to fear, angel.”
Swallowing hard around the knot in my throat, I nod to indicate my understanding. I look up to see Marley standing next to our recliner.
“We are heading home, Rachel,” Marley informs me. I slip out of the chair to give her a hug. “I know Rosco will take good care of you, but if you need anything at all, call me. Promise?”
“Yes, of course,” I promise. Shelby hands her little one to Bo before pulling me in for a tight hug, too.
“That goes double for me,” Shelby declares. “I love you, Rachel. You and Marley are like sisters to me. I’m always here for you.” Tears form in my eyes. It’s been so long since I’ve had anyone to lean on. I’m so thankful, Jay sent me to these amazing women when he didn’t have an opening.
“I love you, too, Shelby.” I squeeze her tightly. I turn to Marley, too. “I love both of you. Thank you for being the sisters I never had. I’ll forever be grateful to you both for welcoming me in so easily.”
“It wasn’t hard to do,” Marley says with a grin. “You are easy to love, Rachel.” She glances at Rosco who is standing behind me during this exchange.
I force myself not to look over my shoulder to see his reaction to Marley’s statement. He’s been so resistant to even admit he’s attracted to me, until today. I’m not going to ruin the time we have together with talk of love. Neither of us are ready for the L-word, yet.