Craving Rose (The Aces' Sons 5)

“Tommy said he asked for me,” I said quietly.

“Leo told me that he just kept repeating your name,” she confirmed.

My knees buckled.

“Tommy,” Lily called, barely getting her arms around me before I hit the floor. “Shit!”

“Come on, little sister,” Tommy said, scooping me up. “The floor is filthy.”

He carried me to one of the couches, and I wanted to say thank you, but the words felt trapped in the back of my throat. Panic choked me as Kara curled up against my side, her head on my shoulder.

I couldn’t lose Mack. We couldn’t lose him. God, I was so angry that we’d wasted so much time arguing about hypothetical kids. I’d thought I could walk away because he wouldn’t give me what I wanted, and it had seemed so rational at the time that I’d felt proud for standing my ground. How could I have been so stupid?

I’d give up anything to keep Mack.

“Rosie,” my dad said, coming to kneel in front of me.

I looked at him, but I couldn’t respond.

“I know you’re scared,” he said gruffly, placing his hands on my knees, his thumbs rubbing in small circles. “I know.”

His face grew blurry as my eyes filled with tears.

“I been right where you are,” he continued, squeezing my knees. “I couldn’t check out and neither can you.” He looked pointedly at Kara and I followed his gaze.

Her eyes were closed and her hair was covering most of her face, but what little was showing was blotchy and red from crying. I ran my fingers through her hair, and bit my lip as she shuddered a little, burrowing closer.

“It’s going to be okay,” I said, resting my cheek on her head. “The waiting is the hardest part.”

“That’s my girl,” my dad said quietly, getting to his feet. “Chin up, eyes forward.”

We sat like that for a long time as the waiting room grew crowded with Aces and their old ladies. Coffee was handed out. Quiet voices filled the room. Molly made trips up to the desk to find out if there was any news, shaking her head at me each time she came away with nothing.

We’d been there for two hours when Howie and Louise stepped off the elevator, their faces pale and scared.

“Look who’s here,” I told Kara.

She lifted her head to look, and I expected her to run to her grandparents, but she didn’t move.

Louise’s gaze searched the room as they walked forward, and just as her eyes landed on me and Kara, Dragon stopped her. He spoke quietly to Mack’s parents for a few moments, and I watched them nod their heads. Then, they came straight for us.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Lou said as she bent to wrap her arms around me and Kara. She pressed her lips against my forehead and held them there for a long moment, then moved to Kara and did the same thing.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I said as she moved back so Howie could hug us.

“I’m sorry it took so long,” she replied, wringing her hands. “We were in Montana, and there were no flights that could get us here faster than driving.”

“You shoulda seen your nana cursin’ a blue streak,” Howie told Kara, giving her a small smile.

“Dad’s in surgery,” Kara said, swallowing hard. “He’s been back there a long time.”

“Best place for him,” Howie said, crouching down so he was eye level with Kara. “Doctor’s know what they’re doin.’”

“What if they mess up?” she asked fearfully.

“C’mere,” Howie ordered, opening his arms. For the first time in hours, Kara let go of my waist and lurched into her grandpa’s arms.

I watched them as he carried her to a chair in the corner of the room. My side felt cold without her pressed against me, and I forced myself not to follow them.

“How’re you doing?” Lou asked as she sat down in Kara’s spot next to me.

“I’m okay,” I replied hoarsely.

“Well, I don’t believe that at all,” she said with a sigh as she leaned back against the couch. “But I’ll let it go for now.”

“Thank you,” I replied. I meant it. I knew that at some point, I was going to lose it. I could feel the fear and anxiety building with every beat of my heart. But I couldn’t let it happen yet. Not in the middle of the waiting room. Not when Kara was only a few feet away.

“Hey, sweetheart,” my mom said, walking toward us. “I brought you some coffee. It tastes like shit, but I added a bunch of creamer, so you should be able to choke it down.”

“Thanks,” I replied, taking it from her hand. I wasn’t sure when the last time I’d slept was. Yesterday? The day before? Our time in the basement was already starting to blur together.

“I’m Callie,” my mom said, holding her hand out to Louise.