“What have they got?” Rosie demanded.
“He’s playin’ away and with someone he really shouldn’t, but we need to be careful about how much we tell you.”
She paused. “I’m going out of my mind with worry that I’m about to lose my kids.”
“You’re not losing the kids, Rosie,” I assured her.
“Right,” she whispered.
My heart ached at the hopelessness in her voice.
Rosie was mouthy and outspoken in the best of ways, but she was also sensitive. She adored her kids, and all this bullshit must’ve been killing her. The realization of what she was going through made me curse her ex-husband. He wasn’t doing this because he missed his kids. Much like Pagan, he just didn’t like losing.
And I couldn’t wait to see the motherfucker get taken back down a peg or two.
I looked up to see Atlas staring at me.
He knew exactly what I was feeling because he felt it too.
If it came to it, I could make one phone call and arrange for Rosie’s ex to disappear, and I’d have a solid alibi. It would mean I’d owe Paddy a marker, but when it came to Rosie, Gabby, and DJ, I’d cross any line to keep them safe.
Evan needed to watch his back because he’d messed with the wrong person, and if he carried on playing dirty, I’d make sure I taught him a life lesson he’d never forget.
Nobody fucked with the O’Sheas.
—————
“Posy!”I yelled, closing the door behind me and making for the kitchen.
Barney ran at me with a soft woof, so I bent down to rub his neck as he greeted me like a long-lost friend.
The murmur of my woman’s voice filtered into the room, and then she called out, “I’m up here!”
I did an about-turn and headed upstairs, whistling a tune under my breath. Rosie’s voice got louder as I climbed until I could eventually make out her conversation.
“Is three weeks long enough for you to prepare?” she asked, followed by a pause, then, “And your PI has enough already?”
I smiled because I knew what Colt and the PI had been up to.
“I can’t help worrying, Ned. These are my kids, my babies, you know? I’m fucking frantic.”
Kennedy must have cracked a joke because Rosie laughed softly and said, “I know, and I trust you, but last night made me realize that I can’t put a foot wrong between now and the hearing, and it’s hard because, well... you’ve seen my temper. It’staking all my self-control to not get in my car, drive to Idaho, and run the bastard over.”
My smile widened because I knew how she felt. Still, Evan’s time would come. I’d make sure of it.
I walked inside Rosie’s bedroom suite to see her sitting on the side of her bed, looking mighty fine in her tan colored yoga pants and slouchy top. Her hair was piled on top of her head, with a few wispy bits hanging down, drawing attention to the elegant lines of her neck. She wasn’t wearing makeup, but she didn’t need to. She may have had a few enhancements, but that was exactly what they did: enhance her natural beauty.
Rosie’s eyes met mine, and she smiled at me.
My chest swelled. If I could’ve ripped my shirt off and beaten it caveman style without looking like I’d gone nuts, I would have.
Just the way she looked at me, as if I brightened her entire world, did weird things to me.
Leaning down, I kissed the top of Ro’s head while inhaling the scent of her shampoo and musky, amber perfume. She may have been dressed casually, but she still looked and smelled like a million dollars. I loved how she took care of herself, and even though I knew she did it all for herself and not for me, I appreciated it all the same.
I kicked off my sneakers, threw my baseball cap on the dresser, and climbed on the bed. Then, while Ro was talking to Kennedy, I pulled her yoga pants off—leaving her in just her white panties and top. Laying her out, I arranged her exactly where I wanted her, which, as usual, was tucked under my arm with her head on my chest.
Rosie’s dancing eyes looked up at mine. “Donovan’s home, so I’m gonna go.”
