Page 60 of Four Tattoos

“Call us anytime you need anything,” I tell Rose. “No matter the hour.”

She steps around us to open the door of her tiny apartment. “Thanks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

I don’t like the weary look in her eyes, but I bite my tongue … for now. There’s no way I intend to let her continue to work as hard as she does while her body is growing a human inside of it.

Before we get to the truck, I turn back, and it gives me hope to see that she’s still standing in her doorway, watching us leave.

Once we’re inside the vehicle, all four of us are quiet, which isn’t unusual, but I know the others are still as stunned as I am. We knew about the pregnancy before we came here, but having Rose confirm it makes it all the more real.

“She looked really tired,” Mace says after we’ve driven a few miles.

“Exhausted,” I agree. “I had to hold myself back from all the things I wanted to tell her. I want to make her a meal, get her some vitamins, furnish her apartment, or better yet, move her in with us, and I want to tell her to quit both of her jobs. I want to support her so she doesn’t need to work another day in her life.”

“Why didn’t you tell her that?” Christian asks. “It’s not like you to hold back.”

“I don’t want to sway her decision or make her feel pressured into anything.”

“You want her to have the baby?” Zipper asks.

“I want her to do what’s right for her.”

46

ROSE

Brittany is officially the best boss ever. I’ve always stood behind the front desk at Club Red, but when I arrive, there’s a comfortable stool waiting for me, the perfect height so that I can still reach everything easily.

I’m so grateful that I could kiss her, but despite how kind she’s been, I know she’s not the warm and fuzzy type.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“Tired, but I had a short nap before I came in.”

“We can probably get you out of here early. After the show starts, maybe I can get someone to cover the desk.”

“No, that’s okay,” I say. “To be honest, I need the hours.”

My boss gives me a sympathetic look before she heads down the hall toward the showroom. “If you change your mind, let me know.”

Callie arrives before the club opens, and she approaches my desk with uncharacteristic hesitation. “Rose, I’m so sorry. I let the news slip last night.”

“I know. I talked to them.”

“Oh, shit. I should’ve given you a heads up, but I felt horrible and was so afraid you’d be mad at me. Did you see them? How did it go?”

“I did see them, and it went okay. I don’t know. It’s all still really overwhelming, honestly.”

“I’ll bet.” Callie’s voice is full of concern.

“It’s like I can’t think straight half of the time. I think the men are behind me whatever I decide, but we didn’t talk about details. I’m still figuring things out.”

“Do you want to keep the baby?”

“I think I do. There are just so many unknowns.”

* * *

I swear I can still sense the men’s presence when I return to my apartment, as if the scent of their cologne still lingers in the air, but I know it’s just my imagination.

---