Page 35 of Unloaded
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 thenuances 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 medrooling. 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.
When I exit the bathroom,Rosco makes an appreciative sound as his eyes roam over me from head to toes and back again. He steps toward me, butvoices coming from the living room draw our attention. “Let’s head into the living room, angel. It sounds like my brothers have arrived.”
We head down the hall and Rosco stops at the guest room. “Come on guys, I’ll show you more about the game system after we brief Bo and Luke on what’s happened.” The boys obediently pause the game they’re playing and follow us into the living room where it seems the whole Robertson family has gathered.
Feeling overwhelmed, I pause at the end of the hall.Do I want the boys to hear what we’re about to discuss?I’ve tried to shelter them, but they need to know what we are up against so they can help protect themselves. They’re almost adults, legally.As much as I want to, I can’t watch over them the rest of their lives.
Tension is thick when I step into the room. Marley, Bo, and Shelby are sitting on the couch. Luke is parked in his chair next to Marley. All eyes land on us with worried expressions on their faces. Marley and Shelby are holding their tiny babies close.
I study the men’s faces, but can’t get a feel for what they’re thinking.Are they concerned or pissed? Will they send us packing once I tell my story?Concern for my brothers and me hits me hard. I have no idea what the future holds for us or how I’m going to get us away from the mob again.
Marley and Shelby feel like the sisters I never had, but I’m their employee, not their family. They haven’t known me all that long, and they have infants to be concerned about. When I reveal just how much danger I’ve put them all in, by just being in their lives, I’m sure they’ll want to run me out of town. Losing all of them will be devastating.
“Rosco,” Luke greets as we enter the room. “Enos said Rachel and the boys are in some trouble?” Marley hurries over to me still clutching her newborn son and interrupting the conversation.
“Oh, Rachel! Are you all right?” Marley asks, wrapping one arm around my neck. I shake my head in shock at her words. I’d thought she’d be upset that I’ve lied, by omission, to them.
“I’m okay,” I answer, returning her hug, then peering down at the bundle in her arms. “I’m so sorry.” I look up to meet the gaze of Luke, Bo, and Shelby. “I should’ve been honest with you all from the beginning. I never intended to put you in harm’s way.”
