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I decide not to force the issue. “Fine, I’ll bring dinner to you. Shower.”
I put in a call to my favourite restaurant and offer double the price for a three-course meal to be delivered to the clubhouse. Then I enlist some of the prospects to set up a table outside. It’s a warm night and it’ll be nice to get away from the noise of the MC.
When the food arrives, I send Meli upstairs to find Rosey, and I wait outside, standing beside the table. When I see her step out, I light the candle and wait for her to join me. She eyes me suspiciously. “What are you doing?”
“I told you, we’re having dinner.” I pull out the seat for her, and she lowers into it. “I’d prefer a restaurant, but if you want to stay here, that’s fine.”
I lift the lid on her starter. Prawn cocktail is her favourite, and she smiles. “It looks delicious.”
I take my seat and lift the lid on my own starter. She glances at my pâté longingly, and I roll my eyes, slicing some of it off and placing it on her plate. She grins. “I felt bad going out to eat when I don’t know how Ollie is,” she admits.
“Understandable.”
“Mav’s taking me to see him tomorrow.” Mav had already mentioned it, but I let her tell me. “It’s at the school and it’s supervised, but it’s better than nothing.”
“Supervised is probably the best thing right now. That way, they can see how amazing you are with him. He’ll be home before we know it.”
“I hope so.” We fall silent and then she asks, “So, you and Lauren, are you . . .” She trails off.
“Employer and employee,” I finish the sentence. “I should have made that clear the night you turned up to dinner,” I admit. “I was an idiot for letting you walk out of there under the impression we were more.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine, Red. I was a prick. I’m sorry. The truth is, we had a thing a long time ago, but I haven’t thought about her since. We were kids, and it wasn’t serious.”
“Does she know that?” she asks with a small laugh.
“She’s getting the message.”
“You hurt me, Bert,” she whispers, and I see that flash of vulnerability again. “A lot.”
I place my fork down and take her hand. “I know. I underestimated how much. You’re just so strong all the time, and I thought you’d be okay. You act like you don’t give a crap . . .”
“That’s all it is, an act,” she admits, then she takes a shaky breath. “All my life is an act. I don’t even know who the real me is anymore.”
“Maybe we can find out together,” I suggest with hope in my voice.
“I’d like that,” she almost whispers.
We move on to the main course, and she groans when she sees the steak. “It’s the size of a cow.”
“It’s good for you,” I tell her. “Lots of red meats will help build your strength.”
“That’s all Mama B has said to me these last few days. I swear, I’ll be the size of a house if you all keep ramming food down my throat.” We fall silent for a few minutes, and I watch her pop a piece of steak into her mouth before closing her eyes and humming her approval. “Do you think Ollie will want to see me tomorrow?” she asks, suddenly looking vulnerable again.
I nod, cutting into my steak. “Why wouldn’t he?”
She shrugs. “Maybe he’ll blame me for letting them take him.”
“He’s not stupid, Red. He’ll know it was out your hands.”
“They’ll be my last kill,” she eventually adds. “Then I’m done with that part of my life.”
“You think that’s wise?” I ask. “Mav can deal with them. It’ll look less suspicious if you don’t know any of the details.”
“They crossed me and my boy, I’m taking them out. I need them to see my face as they take their last breaths and know they fucked with the wrong person.”
I nod in understanding. She’s got a thirst for their blood, and I don’t blame her. I’d be the same. “It’s gotta go down right, Rosey. It can’t lead back to you.”
