More fucking right than anything had in a long time.
What that said about me and the predicament I was in, I didn’t even want to think about. Instead, I stood and picked up Rocky, enjoying those soft feminine curves as I tucked us both into bed, watching the stars pop in the sky through the huge bedroom window while she slept curled into my side.
***
I woke up the next morning to the smell of peppers and maple. “Ah, shit!” And the sound of Rocky swearing enough to make a sailor blush. With a laugh I kicked off the blankets and swung my legs around to the floor, smiling at her colorful language before going to the bathroom.
When I came out and joined Rocky in the kitchen, my shorts grew tight at the sight of her in nothing but a thin cotton t-shirt. “Breakfast and a show. I approve.”
Startled, she turned with a glare that quickly morphed into a smile. “Hey, you look normal.”
“Uh, thanks Rocky. You look good enough to eat.” She blushed prettily, and I went to the counter where coffee sat black and steaming. “Can pregnant chicks drink coffee?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Smoking is where I have to draw the line.” She looked wary and apologetic, but I could see how important it was to her.
“Other than a little grass, I don’t smoke and I’m happy to do it outside.”
Rocky’s smile was soft and feminine. It took everything in me to let her bring the food to the table instead of clearing the whole thing to make room for her. “Good. With the fucked up environment we have around us now, I want to keep things as clean as possible.”
She was so serious and fierce in protecting our child that I wrapped my arms around her.
“That kid is going to be the luckiest fucker alive to have you for a mama, Rocky.” She let out a tinkling laugh with her arms snaked around my waist, careful to keep the hot spatula away from my back.
“That’s our kid, the lucky fucker,” she murmured into my neck.
“You know what I mean, it smells incredible in here.” Like food and family. “Reminds me of Lulu; she was our cook my whole life. Made the best damn bacon I ever had.”
“So, you miss Lulu?” She smiled again and pulled back to take her seat at the table.
“I guess I do. I hadn’t really thought about it—or her—in years.” I worked pretty damn hard not to remember much about Rose Petal. “The town was a great place to grow up, be stupid and not fuck up your whole life. But otherwise I’m happy I live in Mayhem.”
“An appropriate name for your lot.” This time she said it with amusement rather than her usual wariness.
“We get up to trouble when we have to, otherwise we’re mostly just brothers.”
“No offense Lasso but I’ve seen brothers throw in because someone said the wrong thing to a guy’s woman and your brothers won’t step up for you. With family like that, makes me glad I’m on my own.”
She was right in a way and I understood her perspective. “Except you’re not on your own, are you? There’s me and that baby in your belly. I’m sorry if that’s not enough, but it’s all we have.” I felt annoyed that she didn’t think I was enough, angry too. And it felt so fucking familiar I couldn’t finish my breakfast.
“It’s not that you’re not enough, Lasso. This is my problem and without your club’s help the chances that you’ll end up hurt because of me only increases and I can’t deal with that. Not right now.” She shoved her own plate away angrily and stood. “I have to … go,” she said and distractedly left the kitchen.
I decided to give Rocky some time on her own to get a handle on her emotions. Twenty minutes later I had the kitchen clean and I was just about ready to go after Rocky when my phone rang.
I knew who it would be, so I didn’t bother looking at the screen. “What’s up, Cross?”
“How are you guys doing?”
“Fine. You got any news?” I knew that was the only reason he’d call while we were up here.
“Yeah,” he sighed. “Big Boy took a while to crack but once that fucker opened up, he was a flood of info.”
“Good. Anything we can actually use?”
Cross sighed heavily but I ignored it, waiting impatiently while I got busy in the kitchen, getting shit ready for a picnic.
“Just one thing. Says Genesis is sending guys in waves, every couple days until the fourteen days are up. If she doesn’t show up in time for the heist, bad shit.”
I heard what he was and wasn’t saying. “Right. Has anyone showed up yet?”