Hearts on Fire 5: Loving Frankie (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “I didn’t have extra clothes here, and like I said, I really need my sleep.”

  Nate frowned.

  “We’ll bring you to your place to pick up some things. We can stay there with you, or you can come home with us, your choice, but we’re not leaving you so soon,” Rye said.

  “Okay, but I really do need extra sleep. I’ve had it tonight.”

  They followed her down the hallway to the employee room where she stored her stuff.

  “Hey, you seem upset. Did something happen tonight?” Rye asked.

  “I just get tired of this job and some of the people who come here. That’s all. Sometimes I miss my old job.” She pulled on her light hoodie sweatshirt. It was gray and had the word Pink stretched across the back. She grabbed her bag and locked up her stuff.

  Nate took her hand and stopped her before she headed toward the door to leave with them. He brought her fingers to his lips. “Rough night?”

  He kissed her knuckles. She was overwhelmed with emotion, with the fact that he understood her upset and felt concerned. She appreciated that so much.

  She glanced at Rye then back at Nate.

  “Thank you for coming here and giving me a ride home.”

  Rye placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

  “We’ll be making this a habit. Don’t you worry.”

  She felt her cheeks warm as they headed out the door and into the early morning hour. She was starving but didn’t say a thing until they got into the truck and her stomach rumbled.

  “Hey, are you hungry or something?” Nate asked as he started the truck, and Rye chuckled.

  “Starving.”

  “We can stop and get you something,” Nate said.

  “You don’t have to.”

  “Baby, if you’re hungry, then we’ll stop. Sullivan’s opens at five a.m. They have an awesome egg sandwich combo,” Rye told her.

  “Sounds great, then it’s shower and bed for me.”

  “Shower and bed for us,” Rye said and winked.

  She felt her body come alive and get a boost of energy. Having four lovers was definitely going to take a lot of energy out of her. But, oh, what a way to get drained of it.

  Chapter 12

  Turbo stopped by Frankie’s apartment during the day. Nate had called him and told him about getting her from work, going for an early breakfast at Sullivan’s, then coming back to her place. He hadn’t told his brothers about the investigation or about the things that concerned him about Frankie’s safety. After meeting with Charlie and Lure, along with Buddy, they went over surveillance camera footage from Prestige and identified that Sal Baletti and two of his associates had been at Prestige and talked to Frankie a lot.

  He would need to ask Frankie some questions to cover all their bases in the investigation.

  Currently, Buddy and Jake were visiting other clubs along the strip on the boardwalk in Treasure Town and trying to find out if Sal and his men had threatened them like they’d threatened Brian and Chester. Trent, the arson investigator, along with his team, gathered evidence and found accelerants all over the Dumpster and the side of the Beach House. They were canvassing the neighborhood, trying to see if any witnesses saw anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. Without more specific evidence than one person’s word over the other, they wouldn’t have enough to bring Sal and his buddies in for questioning.

  As Turbo parked the patrol car, locked it, and made his way toward Frankie’s apartment building, he felt annoyed, angry, and concerned. Although he understood her thinking for picking such a place to hide out in, it didn’t seem necessary for her to live in this crappy complex anymore. Not when they had plenty of room at their place and wanted to be with her all the time. But he struggled with making that serious commitment. It was obvious he was still fearful of admitting his love for her and taking the huge step of living together. But considering how strongly he and his brothers felt about her already, it seemed the most logical thing to do was to ask her to move in with them right away.

  As he walked down the hallway to her place, he noted a guy leaning against the wall, who always seemed to be there.

  “What’s blondie doing running a brothel?” he said then took a slug from his brown bag that appeared to be a bottle.

  “What did you say?” Turbo asked.

  “You arresting her for prostitution or you fucking her, too?” he slurred.

  Turbo had to bite his tongue.

  “What the hell are you mumbling about? Go inside your place, or I’ll arrest you for drunk and disorderly conduct.”

  “Men coming and going, knocking on her door, asking if she’s home and where she works. Ain’t no one come around for months. Now you and these other cops, the two big guys and guys in suits, too.”

  “What guys in suits?” he asked the drunk.

  The guy waved his hand at him.

  “You gonna arrest me?”

  “Not if you’re straight with me.”

  “I see a lot of things sitting here. A lot of things, copper.” He drank from his bottle again, and Turbo ran his fingers through his hair. He wasn’t going to get anything true or concrete out of this guy. Why was he asking him anyway? He was most likely delusional and drunk all the time.

  “Whatever. Just get inside.”

  The drunk mumbled something, and Turbo walked back to Frankie’s door, deciding it was better to get her out of this shithole than take a chance of someone trying to hurt her. Gun or no gun, she deserved better than this.

  The door opened immediately.

  “Hey, bro, what’s up?” Rye asked, giving him a chest bump and a handshake.

  Turbo entered the apartment, and then Rye locked the door and all the bolts Frankie had on it. Her apartment smelled great, was decorated nicely, and was a huge contrast to what was right outside.

  “Frankie just finished showering.”

  “Hey, Turbo, what’s going on? You sounded funny earlier when you called.” Nate shook Turbo’s hand hello and gave a chest bump.

  “Just working all night. I got a few hours this morning but not much. This case we’re all working on is getting complicated.”

  “How so?” Rye asked.

  “Some guys are coming into Treasure Town and pushing to force owners of the local clubs to give money for protection and also allow drugs inside.”

  “What? Who are they? Do you have any leads?” Nate asked.

  “Well, don’t repeat this, but we had the owners from the Beach House and Riley’s confide in Jake and ask for help when someone sent a message to Chester about accepting their offer. Jake was gathering information but I guess Riley and Chester didn’t respond fast enough to the thugs. They set the Beach House on fire.”

  “No fucking way,” Rye said and shook his head.

  “Was everybody okay?” Nate asked.

  “The fire was just a message. Some accelerant, enough to need Engine 20 to put it out. We believe the guys who did this are also connected to Gloria’s murder.”

  “What?” Frankie asked, holding her arms around her waist as she entered the room. Her hair was blown dry and done up, but she wore only a baby blue silk robe that matched her eyes perfectly.

  He stared at her, wishing he could make love to her right now.

  He rested his hand on his holster and took in the sight of her.

  “Good afternoon, Frankie.” He then licked his lower lip.

  She hesitated coming to him, but then he raised one eyebrow, and she got the message. She walked right up to him, leaned up on tiptoes, and kissed him hello. He couldn’t resist touching her, holding her in his arms. He wrapped her up close and felt how feminine and petite she was, which made him feel more concerned and protective of her.

  “I missed you, baby. My brothers taking good care of you?”

  “Yes, Deputy,” she said, and Nate and Rye chuckled.

  Turbo gave her a wink and tapped her ass. He could tell she was naked under the robe. The lapels parted, and he saw her full brea
sts and no bra.

  “Hungry?” she asked him.

  His cock hardened, and he cleared his throat. She quickly stepped back and headed toward the kitchen.

  “I was going to make something to eat before work.”

  He instantly remembered why he was here. Police business.

  “Actually, talking about work, I need to ask you a few questions about last night.”

  “Questions?” she asked, turning toward him.

  He walked closer and ran his finger down her jaw. He gave her a soft smile.

  “Some guys may have been at Prestige last night. I spoke with Lure and Charlie about it this morning. They believe you may have served them drinks at their table.”

  “Who are they? What did they do?” she asked.

  Nate approached and placed his hands on Frankie’s shoulders.

  “These guys the ones who threatened the store owners and set the fire?” he asked.

  “What?” She covered Nate’s hand with her own.

  “Not sure really. But if they are, we’re trying to build a timeline of events and figure out who they are and why they’re here. Maybe who else they’re working for and connections to some other things. They may have looked like gangster types. Anyone stand out as different than the normal crew of patrons?”

  “Oh, you don’t mean three guys with city accents, do you? They stood out in that big party I worked.”

  “These aren’t the ones you told us about, are they? The ones you think took your picture and flirted with you?” Nate asked.

  “The ones that got you all fired up last night about working at a professional job again instead of at Prestige?” Rye added, sounding pissed.

  “Wait, back up. They took pictures of you?” Turbo asked.

  “It seemed that way. The one creepy guy who had an attitude came up to the bar and looked like he was doing a selfie, but then I saw the flash. He was pointing it at me. It pissed me off, but unfortunately, other asshole guys think they can do that, too.”

  She exhaled in annoyance.

  “Guys take pictures of you?” Turbo asked, feeling his blood boil.

  “My ass, my breasts when I deliver drinks, sometimes they ask me to stand in the pictures. It’s annoying. It’s not like it happens a lot but enough to piss me off.”

  “I don’t like this one bit. You didn’t recognize them? You never saw them before?”

  “No. They weren’t from around Treasure Town. Why? You think they’re the ones who started the fire and threatened the store owners?”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “Not sure but it’s a good possibility. I want to make sure you’re safe there. One of us will drop you off and pick you up from here on out. In fact, you should pack some things. I think it’s better you stay with us for a while, maybe longer.”

  “Why? Do you think I’m in danger?”

  His gut twisted. He didn’t know what he was doing. He was being jealous and protective.

  “I would just feel better if you weren’t coming and going from here late at night all alone. That drunk guy in the hallway is always watching you.”

  “He’s harmless. Give him a bottle of cheap scotch and he’s your best friend.”

  She stood up and walked further into the kitchen.

  He glanced at Nate and Rye, who looked concerned. He gave them a nod, asking for their help with this.

  “Frankie, I’m serious. Things are going great between all of us. It would be nice to have you at our place. You’re safer there.”

  “Listen, Turbo, I know you’ve hated my place form the start, but I’m taking care of myself. This is my place. We’ll work out staying over. Nate and Rye stayed here with me last night. I could bring an extra change of clothes in my bag for work if you want me to stay at your place now and then.”

  “How about all the time?” He wrapped his arms around her waist.

  He thought about what the drunk guy in the hallway had said about men knocking on her door. Were other guys bothering her, trying to get what was theirs? He couldn’t clear his head.

  “Turbo, I need some space here. I don’t want to mess this up. It took a lot to trust the four of you and let you into my heart. Please give me a little more time.”

  He exhaled.

  He released her.

  “Fine, but one of us will drop you off and pick you up from work tonight. End of story. I have to head back. I’ll be home late. Pack something so you can stay tonight at our place.”

  “I’m meeting Cassidy for lunch tomorrow.”

  “We’ll drop you off wherever you’re meeting her. I’ll talk to you guys later.” He left the apartment and felt his head spinning. Something was bothering him. He just couldn’t put his finger on it. Was it the case? Was it this new relationship with Frankie? Whatever it was, he couldn’t figure it out. There was too much going on. He would think about it later. Right now he needed to meet Buddy and Jake. Maybe they had more info on the Baletti brothers.

  * * * *

  Kevin couldn’t believe his eyes. She was alive, she was well, and she looked so fucking beautiful even in the skimpy uniform. What really pissed him off was that, the past two nights, guys had dropped her off and picked her up. They kissed her and had their hands on her, and there seemed to be four of them. Seeing her get picked up this morning at four in the morning by a deputy really did a number on his nerves. Was she seriously fucking four guys? Was she fucking some local beach bum cop?

  He gripped the steering wheel and tried to control his breathing. He couldn’t believe how difficult this was. The last six months he’d sat in a cell thinking terrible things, wondering if Carlotto had his hands on Frankie and if he was fucking her. But his woman had been smart. She still loved him, still wanted him, so she’d taken off and hid. A cop’s daughter, a cop’s woman, she knew what had to be done. But obviously these four men had manipulated her mind. She was young and naïve, an inexperienced woman. Fuck, it had taken him half a year to get her to spread her thighs for him so he could take her virginity. He owned her. She was his, and it wouldn’t matter how many guys she fucked while he was locked up. She still belonged to him.

  He took a deep breath and exhaled as he watched her apartment complex. She lived in a fucking shithole. Why? If these men cared for her at all they would get her out of there. Why was she living here?

  He couldn’t wrap his brain around it. He thought about Carlotto. Carlotto had found out about Frankie by accident. His connections wanted in on this tourist area and the strip of clubs in several consecutive towns. There were a lot of cops. He thought about the deputy that had his hands on Frankie’s ass as they walked to his patrol car. He’d personally put a bullet in the fuck’s head just like he’d done to Oscar, that fucking piece-of-shit friend of hers and her brother. Oscar Finery had wanted what Kevin owned. Frankie. Oscar had the fucking nerve to threaten him, to order him away from Frankie, or he would lock him up for the crimes he was committing. See how far that threat had gone. He was as good as dead even before he walked in on that drug deal in the warehouse.

  Kevin needed to be patient. He needed a plan. Carlotto had sent him here to bring back Frankie and make things right. He wanted Frankie, too. She was that fucking special. But she was his and no one else’s. He couldn’t give her up to Carlotto. He saw the way Carlotto looked at her and wanted her. There had to be a way that he could get Frankie, take her out of here, and disappear together. He had funds. He had a bag of money with him now. He just needed to be careful and get it done in the next twelve hours. If he didn’t, then he would send in Pasqual. Carlotto wouldn’t keep Kevin alive this time. They’d get rid of him just like he’d gotten rid of all the others who’d betrayed him.

  Kevin rubbed his hands together. When would she come out of there? It was nearly lunchtime. The minutes were passing by so quickly. He had to grab her and disappear. Come out, Frankie. Come on now. It’s time to be together again. I missed you so fucking much. I need you. Without you, none of it matters.

&
nbsp; The minutes passed by, and soon another thirty passed. Finally a truck pulled up in front of the building. He clenched his teeth and growled low. One guy got out. He looked as though he was favoring his side as he stepped out of the truck. He was one of the guys she was fucking. Kevin looked at his watch then waited as the time passed by. Ten minutes, twenty minutes, thirty minutes. His blood was boiling. The guy was probably fucking her right now. Thirty minutes in an apartment with Frankie and that’s what he would be doing. Fucking her so hard, making her scream his name until her voice was hoarse and her body limp and spent. He was so fucking hard just thinking about having her. Those breasts, that ass, her sweet innocent glow. Twenty-three and perfect. She was his, not theirs.

  “I’ll fucking kill you. I’ll kill you right now.” He gripped the revolver and reached for the door handle. He imagined his next move. Get into the apartment building, shove through the door, put a bullet in the fucker’s head, and snag Frankie.

  He’d begun to click open the door handle when he saw the door to the apartment open up. He watched them closely. She was hugging the guy’s arm, smiling, face glowing, and the pompous bastard looked so fucking satisfied as he held her around the waist with his hand on her ass. Kevin’s heart pounded.

  He watched the guy press her against the truck and kiss her deeply, plunging his tongue down her throat as he pressed her hard, tight against the truck.

  He pulled back and smiled then helped her up into the truck. Kevin watched with daggers in his eyes, hatred in his gut, as the guy walked around the truck to the driver’s side, still favoring his side. Either he had an injury there or he was a lot older than he looked and something was wrong with him. Kevin didn’t care. He was as good as dead. Today that guy would meet his maker.

  * * * *

  Frankie smiled at Mike as he drove her into town.

  “I told you I could have taken the bus. You should be resting still.”

  He ran his hand under her skirt along her thigh.

  “Resting? I’m fine. Didn’t I just prove that to you when I made love to you on your kitchen table?” he asked, all cocky with one of his eyebrows raised up.