Page 46 of Unloaded
I’ve tried to ignore her, to avoid her, but it has been a futile endeavor. My angel is unforgettable. I’m already teetering on a razor-sharp edge. It isn’t going to take much to send me over the cliff.
I’ll fall deeper when I take her to bed once the house is empty.Thank you, Jason!
I shouldn’t, but I won’t be able to resist. Honestly, I don’t want to resist. I’m tired of fighting, of keeping my distance. My angel is a siren, and I’m helpless to resist her call.
The big question is can I let her go when the time comes?
Thankfully for me, I don’t have to answer that right now. For the time being, I can have her, and I’m going to savor every moment.
My sisters-in-law and my brothers pack up the babies’ things and prepare to head out. Marley and Shelby pull me aside while Rachel is busy seeing her brothers off. I know what’s coming so Ido my best to contain my ire at them sticking their nose in mine and Rachel’s business. Maybe I can shut this shit down before they get started.
“Don’t start, Marley,” I growl in warning. Her face frowns at me. “I know you and Shelby are going to try to make something out of me and Rachel, but you need to reign it in.”
“Why?” Shelby asks, genuine curiosity in her voice. I can’t be upset with these women. I know they love me and only want the best for me. “Rosco, I’ve seen the way you two are around each other. Why are you resisting?”
“I’m not boyfriend material,” I answer honestly. “She deserves better.”
“Bullshit!” Marley exclaims. “You are just scared of what you’re feeling. You are exactly what Rachel wants and needs. You need to stop lying to yourself.”
“You don’t know a fucking thing!” I fire back, unable to contain my anger any longer. “A lot of shit happened before you came along, Marley. Things I can’t take back. Trust me when I say this. She. Deserves. Better.” Marley and Shelby both look like they are about to argue, so I hold up my hand. “Don’t. End of discussion.”
“What the hell?” Bo questions. I’d been so caught up in the argument I hadn’t heard him approaching. Granted he’s a former SEAL, but still, he shouldn’t have been able to sneak up on me. This just proves my point. Rachel will be better off in the long run with someone else. A better, more competent man than me. I hate the faceless, nameless bastard already.
“Rosco, goddammit, I thought you’d gotten your head out of your fucking ass.” Bo glares at me with such force I have to look away, gritting my teeth. “I told you not to deny the woman who needs you what she needs?—"
I cut him off before he can continue his lecture. “I’m not denying her, not right now when she’s afraid and in danger. I’llmove the fucking world to keep her safe, but when this is over, I have to let her go. Don’t try to talk me out of it. Rachel is so far out of my league we aren’t even in the same galaxy.” Bo again looks like he’s going to argue, but I don’t give him the chance.
“There are things about me you don’t know, Bo, none of you do, and I’m not going to share, but trust me when I tell you she deserves better. I can’t change the past. No matter how badly I want to.
“Facts are facts. I care too much for Rachel to shackle her to me for the rest of her life. It would ruin her. Please, drop it.” Defeat washes over me, but I do my best to hide it from my family standing in front of me. I won’t give up until she is secure. I’ll fight for Rachel’s safety and happiness until my last breath. Even to protect her from myself.
Bo has a sour look on his face. Marley and Shelby look hurt and shellshocked, but I can’t let them manipulate me into changing my mind. This is for the best. Luke approaches with little Markus resting securely against his chest in a baby wrap.
“What’s going on?” Luke demands, startling Markus, who begins to squirm and fuss. Luke coos softly, instantly calming the little man. “You all look like someone has died,” Luke comments in a sing-song tone of voice, apparently trying to keep his little one from crying.
“Rosco is being a dumbass,” Bo grumbles, keeping his voice low, but hard in anger. “He seems to think he can fuck Rachel, keep her safe, then send her on her merry way when we’ve eliminated the threat against her and the twins.” Luke looks from Bo to me and back again as if he’d trying to comprehend what Bo is saying.
“Stop talking about us,” I respond, angrily, keeping my voice low. I can’t yell. It would frighten my nephews. “It’s none of your business. Whatever happens between her and me is exactly that. Between. Her. And. Me.”
Bo’s jaw is ticking, something he does when he’s really pissed off. Luke isn’t looking much better. I’m saved from having to argue with them any longer when Rachel steps back into the living room. She looks from me to my brothers and their wives and back to me.
Her shoulders drop as if the weight of the world has landed on them. I hate seeing it. It makes me even more determine to take care of her until I can get rid of the danger chasing her.
“Has something happened?” Rachel asks, her tone conveying her uncertainty. I don’t want her worrying about anything else tonight. I turn my back on my family and stalk to her.
“No, angel, everything is fine,” I promise, wrapping her up in my arms. “They’re getting ready to leave, and they’re just worried about you.” Rachel’s entire body relaxes when my arms circle her. She rests her head on my chest briefly before she pushes out of my grasp to walk over to my family’s huddle.
“You guys go home, and get some rest,” Rachel urges. “I’ll be fine. Rosco has great security, and Dalton and Kelvin have insisted on watching the house tonight. We will be fine.” She hugs Marley and Shelby again.
“Now, go on home. I’ll text you both in the morning, then you can call when you have a free moment, all right?” Both women nod and manage to wrangle not only their babies, but also my interfering brothers out the door, leaving Rachel and I alone at long last.
There’s tension in the air, an undercurrent of anticipation mingled with Rachel’s anxiety. It’s so strong I can feel it.
“Get ready for bed, angel. I’m going to lock up and make sure everything is secure.” She nods, wrapping her arms around herself in a protective move.
She disappears down the hall toward my bedroom. I make quick work of checking all the doors and windows. I send a text to Dalton and Kelvin. Dalton confirms everything is goodoutside, and Kelvin reports there’s still no suspicious activity from our mobster friends.
There are no more obstacles in my way, so I head to my room in search of Rachel. The shower is running when arrive. Immediately my dick hardens as I imagine my angel under the warm cascade of water with her hands moving over her delectable body.
