Page 16 of Unloaded
I scoff. I’m the stepdaughter of a mob boss. I’m hardly worthy of a man like Rosco Robertson, a national hero. I’ve seen pictures of him in his dress uniform, including all the metals on his chest. Marley had taken a picture of the guys before they’d headed to a funeral of a former teammate who’d died unexpectedly a few months ago.
I’d recognized the purple heart. When I’d asked Marley about it, she’d said she didn’t know the whole story, but Luke had told her Rosco had been injured on his last mission before leaving the Navy. Luke said Rosco hasn’t been the same since that injury. He’d left the Navy shortly after he’d recovered. Though none of them knew the whole story, whatever had happened had been bad. So bad that Rosco, an intended career Navy man, had left it all behind.
I can’t imagine what he’s been through. My heart hurts for him and his inability to come to terms with it all. Not that I know what he’s thinking, but obviously he hasn’t dealt with it since he’s keeping himself closed off, and his family is concerned about him.
I wish there was some way I could help him, but I have enough to manage caring for my brothers and keeping us safe. I’ll do whatever I can without chasing after him like some pathetically eager tramp. With that decision made, I square my shoulders and take a deep breath.
“I’m sorry for whatever happened to him,” I reply to my bosses who are more like friends. “I wish I could help him some way, but I don’t think I can. He surely feels the same, and that’s why he is the way he is around me. Now we need to stop talking and get back to work, don’t you think?”
Marley and Shelby both look unhappy, but they don’t argue the point. We grab a few last-minute items from the kitchen and head out to greet our hostess and her charity attendees.
Out in the dining hall, Mrs. Cruise and her guests have arrived. The woman is an important client of Invictus Securities andBaby Girl’s Catering,but I don’t like her. She has no shame and throws herself at anyone with a dick. It’s embarrassing to be around when she’s offering herself up to whoever will give her the time of day.
More than once, I’ve been ready to scratch her eyes out at the shit she’s said to Rosco, but he isn’t the only one she’s propositioned. I’d heard about how she’d tried to entice Bo into her bed, but he’d turned her down very publicly. And I’ve seen her hitting on Jason, Matthew, and several of the other guys first-hand.
I understand why they keep her as a client. The woman is loaded. She could burn a wet mule with the money she and her husband have, but ew. I’ve met her husband, too. He’s as bad as she is. I’m hoping he won’t be here today.
“Marley!” Mrs. Cruise exclaims, opening her arms wide to give Marley a hug and a kiss to each cheek. “It’s so good to see you! I’m thrilled you didn’t go into early labor.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” Marley says with a fake grin plastered on her face. “You remember Shelby, Bo’s wife?”
Mrs. Cruise purses her lips and curls her nose like she’s smelled something bad as she looks over at Shelby. “Of course, how could I forget?”
“Mrs. Cruise,” Shelby replies, with a fake smile plastered on her face. The poor woman looks like she’d rather be anywhere be here.
“My god, you’re getting huge! I don’t know what Bo sees in you,” Mrs. Cruise exclaims. My mouth falls open at her rudeness. Shelby’s eyes give away how hurt she is by the comment, but her fake smile never wavers.
“Mrs. Cruise!” Marley scolds, sharply. “Shelby is pregnant with Bo’s baby. Have you forgotten?”
“Oh, why yes I did,” Mrs. Cruise says, not looking one bit remorseful. The friendly vibe is gone. I can feel the hostility rolling off both Marley and Shelby.
“It seems your guests are arriving,” Marley points to the women entering at the front door. Matthew and Jason are standing by the assistants we have at the entrance scanning and verifying invites. Hosts and Hostesses escort each person to their table while waitresses and waiters fill water glasses.
“Welcome!” Mrs. Cruise calls out, darting across the room to speak to those being seated.
“Bitch!” Shelby seethes under her breath. I bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud.
“She sure is,” Marley agrees. “Shelby didn’t you say we are looking to exceed our first-year projections?” Shelby frowns, but nods. I, too, am wondering what that has to do with Mrs. Cruise being a bitch.
“Perfect! This will be the last event we cater for her. I don’t care ifBaby Girl’s Cateringgoes under. We will not work for her again.” Marley gives a sharp bob of her head as if it’s all settled.
“Marley,” Shelby says softly with tears in her eyes. “She’s a wealthy client and gives both Invictus and Baby Girl’s a lot of business. Don’t drop her on my account. She isn’t wrong. I’m bigger than a beached whale, and I know it.”
“Shelby.” Bo’s deep voice has a scary undertone that I’ve never heard before. All three of us turn to see him bearing down on us. Shelby shivers, but from the look in her eyes it isn’t from fear. I glance back at Bo to see the same raging desire in his eyes as they roam over Shelby’s swollen belly, pausing at her huge chest, then up to her rounded face. “What have I told you about calling yourself names?”
Crap!I think I’m going to have an orgasm just from the commanding tone in his voice. I feel like I’m intruding on an intimate moment. I should make myself scarce. Looking at Marley, I can see she’s thinking the same thing I am.
“Rachel, will you help me in the kitchen?” Marley asks, and I hurry to follow her, needing to be some distance from that intense situation.
“Lord! I need to find Luke and lock him in my office for an hour or so.” Marley chuckles when we are far enough away Bo and Shelby can’t hear us.
“I know, right?” I answer, fanning myself. “I should go change my panties.” We both erupt into a fit of laughter. Once I have control of myself, I say, “You are both so lucky.”
“Yes, we sure are,” Marley replies with a wistful smile. “You need someone in your life, Rachel. You’re much too young and too special to be alone. You should be out dating and having fun.”
“Nah, I’ve got enough on my plate without having to deal with trying to keep a man happy,” I answer. In truth, I haven’t met anyone other than Rosco, in a very long time, who has piqued my interest.
“Let me set you up with someone!” Marley says excitedly. “Kelvin? Jason?” I’m shaking my head emphatically but with a grin. Marley is sweet to worry about my non-existent love life. “Oh, I know! Dalton! Bad boy looks on the outside but a squishy old teddy bear in the middle.”
