Page 31 of Unloaded
“Perhaps,” I say, sparing another look at Rachel. She’s still bent forward with her face in her hands and mumbling under her breath.
“There’s a small park up ahead. Rachel needs some fresh air.” My truck slows when I lift off the accelerator, and I flip on my turn signal. I can’t have this conversation with her while I’m driving. “Come with and watch for unfriendlies.” I disconnect the call not waiting for his reply.
The place is packed since it’s a nice, sunny Saturday afternoon. Finally I find an empty parking spot and pull into it.
“What are we doing?” Rachel exclaims, twisting around in her seat, searching the parking lot, agitatedly.
“We need to talk, angel,” I say, sliding out of my seat. I quickly round the front of my truck and open her door when I reach her side. She’s shaking her head hard.
“No, no, no! We need to go,” she cries, seeming to lose control again. “It’s too open here. They’ll catch us! You don’t understand! I have to get the boys! We have to go! Please!”
“Shhh,” I command while I unbuckle her seatbelt and scoop her into my arms. “No one is going to hurt you or the boys, I promise.” Kelvin and Enos have followed us as I’d known they would. Enos approaches just as I step out of the line of parked cars.
“What’s up?” Enos questions. His eyes flick to Rachel and narrow when he sees her tear-streaked face. He glares at me, likely thinking I’m the cause of her tears.
“Something happened at the event,” I inform him. “I need you to have our six while Rachel and I have a conversation. Can you handle that?”
“You fucking know I can. Why do you insist on being a prick all the damn time?”
I sigh. It isn’t Enos’s fault that I’m on edge, and it isn’t fair of me to take it out on him, but he’s been a slacker since he’d taken Kristen under his protection. Whatever’s going on with Rachel is serious, and I need him focused.
“I need to know you’re not going to take off if Kristen calls,” I reply, ignoring his question. “I need you, brother. I promise as soon as I know what’s up, I’ll let you know.”
“I won’t let you down. I promise,” he replies, looking both annoyed and guilty at the same time. Things have been strained between us for too long, but neither of us is willing to talk about the reason.
“Send Jason to Rachel’s apartment to get the boys and bring them to my place as soon as possible. Have the boys pack a bag with enough clothes and stuff for a few days.”
“No! I heard them say they were going to follow me from the event!” Rachel exclaims. “They will find the boys. Not only that you’ll be endangering everyone else!” Rachel, near hysteria, raises up to plead with me. Her eyes are wild, darting all around. Her pulse is pounding in her neck, and a sheen of sweat is on her brow.
“Who said they’d follow you?” Instead of answering, she pushes against my hold. I know if I were to set her down, she’d take off.
“Rachel!” I command, giving her a gentle shake. “Calm down. We’re handling this. Trust me.” She stares at me through her tears. Her bottom lip quivers, but eventually, she dips her head in agreement before burying her face in my neck and sobs. I hold her close, wanting to soothe whatever has her so upset.
“Have Dalton get the boys since he wasn’t at the event,” I say to Enos who gives me a nod.
“Go on.” Enos gestures toward the park. “I’ll make sure the boys are secured while you find out what the hell’s going on.”
With a chin lift of acknowledgment, I stride away into the park, looking for a quiet spot to get Rachel to tell me what’s spooked her so badly. I’ve never seen her like this. She’s always calm and in control, even when the boys are arguing to the point of blows.
“Put me down,” Rachel mumbles against my skin and pushes weakly against my chest. “I’m capable of walking.”
“I’d rather carry you.” A puff of warm air on my neck is the only reply. At least she seems to be calming down a bit.
We continue on in silence until I spot a bench under a large weeping willow. The spot is secluded with long branches hanging down. The bench is against the base of the tree protecting our back. There’s clear view for quite a distance in the other three directions should anyone approach. I take a seat, noting Enos and Kelvin’s locations. They’ll be able to watch our back. I settle Rachel in my lap.Time to get some answers.
13
RACHEL
“Let me down!” I demand the instant Rosco sits on a bench under a gorgeous weeping willow. Under different circumstances, I’d find this a lovely place for a romantic interlude, but there’s nothing romantic about my situation. I’ve freaked the fuck out, and I need to get control of myself. Nothing good will come of me losing my head. The boys’ lives depend on it.
“No.”
What?? Arrogant, bossy, asshole.I give him my best glare while trying to get off his lap. He grabs my hips to hold me still.
“Stop, angel, or you’re going to get more than you bargained for.” My face heats, and I cease moving, noting the growing hardness under my ass. “Now, talk.”
The flush of embarrassment on my face leaves in an instant. D-day. Time to admit who I really am for the first time in six years.Please don’t let him hate me.
