brothers down the dimly lit back hall and out into the night air. It was cooler now with a slight breeze but none of that seemed to matter in the moment.
“Rocky can explain it better than I can.” She glared at me and I gave her an encouraging nod and placed my hand on her hip.
“Fine.”
She gave them the basics as we had discussed on the drive down, but she failed to mention that she’d already reached out. “He’ll come unhinged and act rash. If we’re lucky he’ll start shit with someone else and they can take care of him for us, but I don’t believe I have that much luck so it’s just a first step.”
Savior was the first to respond with a long, low whistle. “Fuck me little girl, that’s a damn good plan.” He winked at Rocky who kept a careful, blank expression on her face.
“We might even be able to make some cash on this too, a few stacks just for intel. Think about it.”
“Maybe, but I don’t like it.” Cross protested.
“Because it wasn’t your idea,” Rocky shot back defensively.
“No, because I have more than you and your kid to fucking think about! Shit!”
To her credit, Rocky didn’t even flinch at his outburst. She nodded and pulled her phone from her pocket, staring at the screen like it held the secrets of the universe.
“I’ll let you know what I decide.”
Cross glanced at each of us but Rocky never looked up or acknowledged him.
“I’m out of here.” She brushed past me and Jag, marching toward the parking lot in sharp, angry strides. I didn’t blame her, but she wasn’t going anywhere. Not tonight.
“Rocky, please. Be reasonable.”
She turned, hair wild and unkempt just like her eyes. “I am being reasonable! I didn’t want to come here and beg for their help, you did. You may have to follow his orders but I don’t and I won’t.”
“Fine. Stay here tonight, with me and tomorrow I’ll figure something else out, okay?” She stared at me, eyes rightfully suspicious at my easy surrender. “Don’t make me carry you, Rocky. On second thought, make me.”
“Ugh, you are infuriating, Lasso!” She pushed at my chest and pounded her little fists against me until she grew tired. Exhausted. Wobbly. Too wobbly. And then her legs were giving out while my heart raced, and my arms reached out grab her.
“Hey, take it easy sweetheart. Don’t get so worked up.”
“I’m fine,” she said, trying to push out of my grasp. But I held on tight.
“It’s past time for my next meal and this little guy gets cranky when I skip meal time.”
“Guy? Do you know something, is it a boy?”
I didn’t care, not really, as long as the baby was healthy. But the idea of having a son did something to me.
“You were at the last appointment. Lasso. You know what I know.”
She pushed at my chest again and this time I stepped back.
“Can you show me where I’m sleeping tonight?”
“Don’t you want to eat first?” The woman loved food, relished it more than any other woman I’d ever met. “You did almost pass out from hunger.”
“Can you just bring me something up after you’re done talking with your friends?”
Her gaze couldn’t meet mine and I knew she was lying. She didn’t want to spend any time with the guys who were my brothers. Not that I blamed her, but it didn’t bode well for the future I was starting to see with her.
“Why don’t you just eat down here with everyone and then go on up?”
“If you don’t want to do it, just say so Lasso. I don’t have time for this!”