Page 88 of Unloaded
Shrill ringing drags me from a deep sleep. A warm, heavy weight is holding me down. Normally I’d be in a panic, feeling confined and unable to move, but not today. Forcing my eyes open, I look around in confusion. The room is unfamiliar and the medial sounds coming from my left adds briefly to my disorientation. The weight shifts, drawing my attention.
Rachel’s expressive hazel eyes blink up at me. She’s as confused as I am. Then it all comes back. She hit her head in a car crash; Caprice had had her, and now she’s in my arms. She loves me, and I love her. I’m no longer hiding how I feel, and worthy or not, I’m not letting Rachel get away from me again.
“Are you going to get that?” she asks, nodding toward the floor where my cell phone blares again. “It could be about the twins,” she whispers with hope in her voice. Easing out from under her as she shifts away from me, I lean over the side of the bed to grab my phone as it rings for the last time.
“Fuck,” I grumble when I see the missed call from Uncle Branch. Hitting his name on my screen, it begins to ring, and I switch it to speaker phone so Rachel can hear. Briefly I wonder if I should hear what he has to say first, but they’re her brothers.Whether the news is good or bad, however she hears it won’t change how it affects her.
“It’s about damn time!” Uncle Branch grumbles when the call connects, not even giving me time to utter a word. “Where the hell have you been? I’ve called three times.”
“Sorry, we were asleep,” I admit, feeling a little shocked. “It’s been a hell of a few days.” I’ve never slept through my phone ringing before.
In my defense, I haven’t slept since the night I spent with Rachel in my bed. That was two days ago or maybe three days now? I’ve been running on fear and determination. Once I knew she was safe and in my arms, my body just gave up. It needed time to recover, so it took it. I wait for Uncle Branch’s reprimand, but it doesn’t come.
“I get it,” his voice has a softer tone than I’ve ever heard before. “You guys must have been exhausted. Bo and Kelvin have filled me in on everything that’s happened while I’ve been out searching.
“I’m just glad you finally answered,” Uncle Branch continues “I hate to admit it, but I’m not a spring chicken any more. I’m not sure I could’ve taken on both of them by myself. These boys look like they’ve been working out.”
I grin thinking about all the hours we’ve spent teaching the boys how to build muscle tone, fight hand to hand, and increase their endurance. I’m glad to know it was time well spent.
Rachel
“You found them?” I exclaim, quickly sitting up and nearly bumping heads with Rosco in my eagerness to snatch the phone from his hand. Holding it feels like it will bring me closer to my brothers.
“I found them,” Branch says.
“Are they all right?” My voice cracks at the relief flooding me.
“We’re fine, Rach,” Ricky’s voice comes over the line. “Areyouall right? You didn’t look so good the last time we saw you. Branch says you’re with Rosco at Caprice’s?” The incredulity in his tone is easy to hear.
“Yes, I’m going to be okay. We are at Caprice’s in D.C.,” I answer. “It’s a long story that I’m not going to go into over the phone. I’ve been so worried. Are you guys safe? Your father isn’t going to let you go easily. He’ll be combing the city for you. He’ll stop at nothing to get you back.”
“No shit,” Ricky says his tone full of sarcasm. “We’re fully aware of what an asshole our father is. You don’t have to remind us, Rachel.” My heart sinks from my chest. I’m stricken. Ricky has never spoken to me like this.What has he been through in the last couple of days?
“I-I’m sorry,” I whisper softly, so hurt I can hardly speak. “I didn?—"
“Don’t talk to her like that! It isn’t right for you to take out your frustration on your sister,” Rosco scolds. “She’s done nothing but risk her life for the two of you. Show her the respect she deserves.”
“Fuck! I’m sorry, Rachel, for being an ass. You don’t deserve that…” A heavy sigh comes over the line. “We are thankful for everything you’ve done for us. If it wasn’t for you, we’d been neck deep inthebusiness.
“It’s not going to be easy, but we are determined to make father see that we don’t want this life and that he can’t force us into it, no matter how hard he tries. I’d rather die than become what he is.”
I’m frozen with shock. It seems the boys aren’t boys anymore. They’ve grown into men. It makes me sad and proudall at the same time. I fight to hide the smile that wants to break free as pride for them floods through me.
“Ricky!” I exclaim. “Don’t talk like that. I can’t lose either of you, and I absolutely won’t let him force you into that life.”
“I believe I can help with that,” Caprice says from the door I hadn’t heard open. “Are you somewhere safe for the moment?”
“They are, Nicolai,” Uncle Branch replies. “Getting them out of here will take some doing, but I have every confidence I’ll be successful.”
“Hold your position, and stay under the radar,” Nicolai requests. “I’ll need about forty-eight hours to get everything I need in place. I’ll make sure Vena is taken care of and will no longer be a problem for any of you. I’ll text you when it’s safe to move them.”
A lengthy pause follows. It’s so long I’m beginning to believe Branch has ended the call. Rosco has said he isn’t known for saying good-bye before hanging up.
“Forty-eight hours,” Branch finally answers. “I’m giving you my trust, Caprice. Don’t make me wish I hadn’t. Otherwise, you won’t live to regret it. We’ve lost too much to your family already. I won’t lose more.”
Anger and regret crosses Caprice’s face so fast I almost question what I’d seen. His face becomes the unreadable mask he’s had since Rosco arrived.
“I’ll make sure those boys can be free,” Caprice insists. “I can’t change the past, Robertson, but Iwillfix this.”
