Page 57 of Unloaded
“Already on it, asshole,” he responds. I should’ve known he would be, but I’m all out of sorts today. This is Rachel and her brothers. This is the most important mission of my life to date.
“Right, sorry,” I sigh. “It’s just…”
“Your head is all fucked up,” Bo ascertains easily. “I’ve been there, and it’s shit, but you’ve got to pull yourself together. She needs you.” He points to the closed bathroom door.
I nod and head over as I make a shooing motion with my hand. I need them to clear out so I can talk to Rachel without an audience. I rap softly on the bathroom door.
“Angel? May I come in?”
Silence is my answer. I knock again. “Please, let me in.” I’m considering how difficult it will be to kick in the door when I hear the click of the lock turning. A red-faced Rachel emerges, her eyes swollen from her tears. She doesn’t look at me, just attempts to push past me.
“Stop,” I murmur softly, pulling her into my arms. She’s stiff but doesn’t fight back. “I’m sorry about the safe room and for leaving you alone for so long, but I needed to know you were safe so I could focus on eliminating the threat. Please don’t be angry at me for protecting you.”
Her body begins to shake, and she relaxes into me. She wraps her arms tightly around me, and a sob leaves her hitting me square in the chest.
“Don’t cry, angel. I’m here.” My voice is rough with emotion.
Movement in my peripheral draws my attention. My nosey ass brothers are gawking at us from my bedroom door. Bo smirks knowingly. I send him a one finger, brotherly salute, while keeping Rachel in my arms. He grins, and with a nod, leaves us alone, closing the door behind him.
“He has them,” Rachel whispers like it’s a secret. “I have to find them, Rosco. I have to.”
“I know, angel, I know.”
“Help me?” she pleads not only with her voice but lifts her tear-streaked face to gaze at me. “I can’t lose them. They’re all I’ve got.”
“We will find them, Rachel,” I insist. “I will bring them home to you. I promise.” I just broke a hard and fast rule. Never promise what you aren’t certain you can deliver. I’ve never made such a promise before, but I need her to have faith, to hope, and to believe. I will bring them home or die trying. There’s no other option.
Rachel stares at me, delving into my soul, looking for the truth. She must find it because she nods and lays her head backon my chest. Her body shaking gently as she cries.God, help me help her!I hate to see her tears, to feel her fear for her brothers.
“Let’s go find out what we know.” I urge her to turn and start walking toward the door. “Once I have you secured, I’ll go hunting for them.” Rachel stiffens, and I prep for another fight, but she surprises me by agreeing.
We’d been damn lucky that Kelvin had noticed several blacked-out SUVs headed toward my street and had alerted Bo, Luke, Enos, and a couple of our off-duty employees that trouble was on its way. Thank God he’d been monitoring traffic cameras in a five-block radius of my street.
We’ve taken care of a lot of clients over the years, some who’d gotten into some intense situations, but only once have I seen this many of our staff on a scene before, that being last summer at the Stars and Stripes event when Marley and Shelby had been held hostage.
We’d had every available member of our organization, local police, homeland security, FBI, CIA, and the secret service in on that one, and while so far, I haven’t clocked any alphabet soupers here, yet, I’m sure they aren’t far away.
Det. Atwood, our local police department friend, is trying to run interference as best he can, but you can’t hide a large-scale attempted home invasion in a residential neighborhood. It had been more like a motherfucking war zone there for a few minutes. Bullets flying, bodies dropping, thankfully none of them on our side. Dalton and Kelvin had been able to take cover before the assault began.
Fucking reporters are already here with at least two choppers circling overhead. I need to get Rachel out of here. While I don’t think the assholes who fled the scene will be back anytime soon, I’m not taking any chances with my angel’s safety.
Rachel stops when we’re halfway to the living room where everyone else is waiting. She turns, holding on to me.
“You said you’re going hunting.” She waits for me to agree. “You can’t just stroll up to Lawrence’s house and demand he hand the boys over. It’s the fucking mob, Rosco! They’ll kill you before you get past the gate!”
“No one is going to kill me,” I assure her. “One, I don’t plan on asking. Two, I’m a SEAL. The mob doesn’t have shit on me. Three, those boys? They’re my family, too, and we take care of family.”
“Who’s going to take care of you?” she asks with fear dancing in her gorgeous eyes.
“Rosco!” Luke bellows from the living room. “Atwood needs a word.”
Rachel lifts her head to look at me. I haven’t answered her question, and I can tell she’s still expecting a response.
“You don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself, angel.” I kiss her forehead. “Are you okay, now?” She nods. Her eyes are still damp, but thankfully, she’s no longer sobbing.
I can’t take her tears. My chest gets tight, and I feel like I can’t breathe. Yeah, I know. I sound like a fucking pussy, but this woman has some kind of damn spell on me. I’m breaking every rule I’ve ever had for myself when it comes to her.
“Good, I need to go talk with the police. Dalton will take you to Luke’s house. I’ll be along as soon as I can.” Her lips pinch into a tight line. She isn’t happy. We can’t do this right now. There’ll be plenty of time for her to yell at me for all my sins later, after I’ve gotten her brothers back and eliminated her stepfather, this Nicolai asshole, and well, the entire fucking Italian mob if needed. Easy day.
