She felt her cheeks warm. He drove her insane. One minute he was greeting her and telling her how beautiful she looked in the skirt and blouse, and the next thing she knew, she was on the table, thighs spread, and he was feasting on her cunt.
“I suppose so.”
“You suppose so? Honey, you were moaning, scratching at my chest, and calling out my name. I think I succeeded in showing you I’m fine.”
She slapped his shoulder. “Mike,” she reprimanded, and he pulled her by her inner thigh closer to him.
“Get over here. I want to feel you right next to me at all times.”
“You’re dropping me off so that I can have lunch with Cassidy. Don’t tell me that you’re going to be sitting somewhere nearby stalking me.”
“Stalking you?” he asked, sounding shocked but laughing.
“Well, you know what I mean. You all have so much stuff to do. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Hey, we watch over you because we love you and you’re ours. We want to be with you as much as possible.”
She hugged his side.
“I know that, and I love you guys, too.”
“Good. End of discussion. While you’re having lunch with Cassidy, I need to grab some stuff at the hardware store and will probably stop by Sullivan’s to have lunch with a couple of the guys from Engine 19.”
“Really? That’s great. When do you think you’ll get the okay to start up work again?”
“Probably today. At least I’m hoping today, even though I love spending the days with you in bed.”
“I love them, too, but I guess we need to get back to a routine. You know, I work late hours and need sleep. I’ve been dragging these last two weeks.”
“You’ll get used to it. Besides, it would make things easier if you would just move in with us. We told you we have that spare bedroom if it makes you feel better. Even though you’ll hardly use it, and when you do, one of us will be in it with you.”
She chuckled.
“I told you that it was a big decision. I don’t want to screw this up. I want this relationship to work and to last.”
“As do we. Take your time. I expect an answer by the end of the week.”
“What? The end of the week is two days away?”
“That’s right, baby. You seem to be a person who needs specific deadlines, or you just keep saying you’re thinking about it. Now you have a date to make a decision.”
“And if I’m still not ready?” she asked, feeling the instant anxiety.
“Then you’re not ready. But I think you know you are and you’re just letting the past get in the way of making this decision. We understand your fears now. We’re not going anywhere, Frankie. Just remember that.”
He pulled the truck along the sidewalk in front of the small café on the edge of town.
She leaned up and kissed him deeply.
“What was that for?”
“For being amazing.” She kissed him again. Their lips parted.
“And that?” he teased.
“For being patient.” She held his cheeks between her hands and kissed him thoroughly, plunging her tongue into his mouth and moaning against his lips.
“And that?” he asked, sounding out of breath.
“That’s for fucking me on my kitchen table this morning.”
She scooted across the seat and waved goodbye as Mike stared at her in shock.
“We’ll catch up later, Frankie.”
“I’ll be back in an hour.”
She waved and started laughing as she walked away from his truck. She felt so happy and giddy. She never would have said anything like that to a man, but her four boyfriends, the men she loved, made her feel so alive and special. She knew she could drive Mike as wild and crazy as he drove her.
She was headed toward the café when she saw Cassidy at the table. She waved and gave her a kiss hello and a hug.
“I missed you. How are you feeling?” she asked Cassidy as she took the seat at the table.
“Great. And how about you?” She winked.
“Pretty good.”
“Pretty good, huh? You look…satisfied.” Cassidy wiggled her eyebrows up and down.
Frankie chuckled.
“Well, you know I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Well, that’s going to change. You and I have a lot to catch up on.”
“We do? We’ve spoken every day for the last week.”
“But not about the juicy stuff. Do you find it hard to recover from having sex with four guys one after the next and together? Because, damn, I know fucking five of them is like a full-time job. I’ve never been so exhausted.”
Frankie started laughing. She felt so happy, content, and loved right now. She just couldn’t imagine anything bad or negative.
“Well then, I guess we better order some drinks and some food. Sounds like we’re going to be here awhile,” Frankie teased, and Cassidy chuckled as the waitress came over to take their orders.
They talked about their men, their protectiveness, and about moving in with them.
“They asked you to move in with them?” Frankie asked Cassidy.
“I’ve pretty much been at their house more than mine anyway. I’m just not sure it’s the right thing to do. I mean it’s been like a month of dating, well, mostly having sex and spending every waking hour with them. I don’t even want to go back to Prestige. I don’t think the guys want me to either.”
“I don’t blame you or them, Cassidy. I’ve been having the same thoughts. Back in Chicago, I worked at an advertising agency. I had a professional career and was moving up the corporate ladder fast. I’m getting sick of guys looking at my body, flirting, taking pictures, and all the bullshit lately. I worry about Turbo and the guys. And the other night these weird men in suits came in and gave me the creeps.”
“That’s terrible. Hey, I heard that there were some threats to some of the businesses and that the Beach Club had a fire set on purpose.”
“Where did you hear that from?”
“Peter told me about it. He and his brothers were worried about me working at Prestige, too.”
“I think it’s all connected to a case Turbo is working on with Jake and Buddy. They had gotten the heads up about threats to business owners for payoffs and protection. Pretty scary stuff,” Frankie told Cassidy.
“Shit, I heard about this from Peter. These thugs didn’t try anything at Prestige with Lure and Charlie, did they?”
“Are you kidding me? Those two psychos would shoot someone and probably get rid of the body before anyone knew anything. Lure and Charlie are resourceful. I can tell you that much,” Frankie said, and Cassidy chuckled.
“They are very mysterious men. So do you really think you’ll quit and look for something like you had in Chicago? I’m so glad you trust me enough to tell me more about your past. It makes me feel good,” Cassidy said.
Frankie smiled as she reached over and patted her hand.
“I do trust you. You’re my best friend.”
Frankie felt teary-eyed, and with one look at Cassidy, she could tell her friend was tearing up, too.
“I’m you’re only female friend,” she said, trying to act tough and not sound mushy.
Frankie laughed. “True. I don’t waste time with the fake friends. So sounds like we both have some decisions to make. Move in with our men or hold off awhile longer.”
“Mine gave me until tomorrow,” Cassidy said.
“I’ve got two days,” Frankie said then sipped her margarita.
Cassidy chuckled then sipped her drink. “It’s not like it’s going to be hell. I can basically have cock any time I want.”
Frankie nearly choked on her drink as she laughed, shocked at Cassidy’s statement.
“But that also means they can have pussy as much as they want, too. I don’t know if mine can handle so much,” Cassidy added.
“I didn’t really think of it like that. I’m focusing on how much more independence I’m giving
up by moving in with them and letting them take care of me. There’s this fear that they could lose interest or get pissed at me and some of my bad habits.”
“That’s part of living together. I fear the same thing. They continue to live in their place and do their thing, and my life is turned upside down, and it’s like starting over. The only familiar thing to focus on is their bed.”
“I’m in love with them,” Frankie admitted as the waitress delivered their salads.
Cassidy reached over and covered her hand with hers. “I figured as much. I think I’m in love with my men, but then I get this ache, this fearful sensation in my gut, and imagine one of them striking me, beating me like Keith did.”
Cassidy leaned back.
“Oh, Cassidy, they would never do that.”
“I know. It just pops into my head. Sometimes, when one of them goes to reach for me or approaches from behind, I flinch or tighten up. Peter and Jimmy get pissed. Toby, Sam, and Reggie try to console me and tell me they understand and to not be fearful. It makes the atmosphere change.”
“Well, it’s understandable that you have those fears. Perhaps living with them and having them always around will help you realize they wouldn’t hurt you and that they love you, too.”
“That’s the big decision,” Cassidy said then forked a piece of grilled chicken and lettuce and popped it into her mouth.
Frankie took a bite of hers, and then they both smiled.
“You know we’re probably going to give in to their demands. They’re all just too damn sexy,” Cassidy stated.
Frankie nodded. “They sure are, and they make me feel things I’ve never felt before or thought I could.”
“I hear you.”
Cassidy’s phone buzzed, and she looked down at it.
“It’s Reggie. He was working late. I didn’t see him this morning.”
“Answer it,” Frankie told her.
She listened to them talking and then caught Cassidy’s eye. Frankie whispered to her, “I’m going to go use the ladies’ room. I’ll be back.” She winked and smiled, wanting to give Cassidy some privacy.
She headed toward the hallway that led to the bathrooms and back door. Just as she began to push open the door, she felt the tight grip on her arm and was shoved hard against the doorframe.
She gasped then tightened up as she heard his voice.
“Hello, Frankie. Did you miss me?” Kevin asked.
The tears emerged, and she lost her ability to react in any way other than in shock. He turned her around and pressed her against the wall.
She was speechless and totally shocked. Then she remembered Cassidy and worried about her friend. She turned that way then back toward Kevin. The men popped into her head. What if he’d seen her with them? What if Kevin had been watching her this entire time and he knew about Turbo, Mike, Nate, and Rye?
His one hand held her hip as his other lay against her throat. He used his thumb to gently caress her skin. But she knew he was pissed. She saw the anger, the rage in his gray eyes, despite his calm tone. How had he found her? How long had he been watching her? Were Turbo, Nate, Mike, and Rye okay, or had Kevin done something to them already?
“Kevin.”
He gripped her throat tighter. “No talking here. You’re coming with me. Don’t make any attempts to run, or your new girlfriend Cassidy won’t live to finish her salad.”
He knew her name. He must have been watching her for a while.
She nodded, and he turned her toward the back exit. He shoved it open and led her to an SUV with black tinted windows.
As they got into the back seat, she saw two guys. One was driving, and the other she recognized from Prestige. He’d been with the three men she’d gotten annoyed with that night. Who were they?
“I’ll call Carlotto and tell him we’re on our way to the airport,” the guy said and turned around in the passenger seat.
“Carlotto?” she whispered.
Kevin held her gaze.
“He’s waiting on us in Chicago,” Kevin told her then pulled her hands together and wrapped them with duct tape.
“You’re hurting me,” she cried out as he placed her hands over the back seat headrest of the passenger side of the car then taped them to the headrest so she wouldn’t be able to move or get free.
Her ass lay halfway off the edge of the back seat in the large SUV because she was so petite.
He sat down on the left side behind the driver’s side of the car.
“That’s nothing compared to what Carlotto is going to do to you for taking off,” the guy in the passenger seat stated.
“You work for Carlotto?” she asked.
“He works for Gino Baletti. The driver you probably remember from Chicago. Santana.”
She did remember him. He was one of Carlotto’s right-hand men. They were going to take her back to Chicago and back to Carlotto. Did Kevin realize that Carlotto wanted her for himself?
“Why are you letting them do this? Why are you helping them?”
He ran his hand up and down her back then under her blouse. She tightened up and scooted closer to the passenger seat to evade his touch, but he wouldn’t have that. He used his other hand to move up her thigh and under her skirt.
She closed her thighs as best she could, and he gripped tighter.
“Come on now. You know you missed me. I missed you. Can’t wait to get you back home to the penthouse after I do business with Carlotto.”
“Missed you? I hate you. I hate you even more for being under Carlotto’s thumb and now handing me over to him.”
“I’m not handing anything over to him.”
“Sure you are. Why do you think he sent you to come get me? He wants me for himself. He’s going to kill you. That’s why I ran. He wanted me in his bed. He’s using you.”
Kevin just smiled softly at her. The SUV came to a stop at a red light.
“Don’t you think I know what I’m doing? Haven’t I always done right by you?” He slowly pulled the revolver from his waist, and in a flash, the situation took a turn for the worse.
She screamed as he shot the driver in the back of the head and then the guy Santana, Carlotto’s man. She screamed and cried out, trying to pull her hands and arms from the headrest as Kevin hopped over the front seat. He shoved one body out onto the street and closed the door then shoved the other body out on the street and closed the door. The light turned green, and he sped off with horns honking and chaos all around them. She was crying hysterically, not knowing where he was taking her or what he had planned.
Kevin was alive and here in Treasure Town. She’d just witnessed him killing two men, one being Carlotto, and now he was taking her somewhere with him. She was going to die. She was never going to see her men again, and she cursed herself for wasting time. She should have said yes immediately to moving in with her men. She should have enjoyed that time with them because, now, she would never see them again. Kevin would make certain of that.
* * * *
“Baletti is working for Carlotto, and they both have men here in Treasure Town. I just spoke with a detective there working with the feds in an anti-crime unit,” Buddy told Turbo. Jake stood next to him, eyes wide, face bright red, appearing pretty upset.
“Okay, so how do we connect Gloria’s murder to them and the threats to the club owners?” Turbo asked.
“Turbo, there’s more. The feds and this detective unit have been trying to track down a woman of interest. It’s Francesca,” Buddy told Turbo.
“Francesca?” Turbo asked and stood up from the desk.
Buddy lowered his voice.
“There is a major fucking investigation going on. Francesca was involved with a cop.” Buddy paused.
Turbo nodded. “He was dirty, involved with some illegal stuff. She said she was running from him after he wound up in jail.”
“Yeah, well, he’s out, and the investigators say he’s in the vicinity.”
“Oh God, we have to find Frankie. We have
to get to her.”
“Make the call, but there’s more. We have investigators and some federal agents on their way here,” Buddy told him.
He dialed Mike’s number, knowing that Frankie was with him. She was going to have lunch with Cassidy first, and Mike was right down the block at Sullivan’s. They planned on all meeting at the house for dinner.
The cell phone kept ringing, and Mike didn’t pick up.
“Turbo, the feds have wire taps. Phone conversations with Carlotto and Baletti’s plans. Carlotto wants Francesca. She was running away from him, too.”
Turbo felt his chest tighten and his stomach ache. Mike answered his phone call and sounded frantic.
“Holy shit, Turbo. There’s been some kind of shooting. People are screaming. Two guys are on the ground in the middle of Luana Highway.”
“What the hell do you mean two bodies?” Turbo asked as Jake’s phone and Buddy’s phone both rang.
“We have to go. Ask him where Francesca is,” Jake said.
“Mike, where is Francesca? Tell me she’s with you.”
“I’m headed to the café she and Cassidy were at. I’m just trying to get through the crowd.”
“Mike, her ex is in town. He works for the Carlotto and Baletti, the men we think murdered Gloria, threatened Chester and Brian, and set fire to the Beach House. Carlotto is after Frankie,” Turbo explained as he ran alongside Buddy and Jake. Other officers were on route to the location.
“Oh shit. Oh God. I see Cassidy but not Frankie.”
“Find her, Mike. I’m on my way.”
Turbo called his brothers and told them to meet him.
“Maybe she’s fine. Maybe she went to the ladies room at the café or something,” Jake said to Turbo.
“I don’t believe this. She told us about her ex and mentioned some other guy threatening her and wanting her and that was why she took off. She never gave us any names. She didn’t recognize Baletti or the other guys at the club the other night. She just said some guys creeped her out and she thought one of them took her picture.”
“It was probably to send to Carlotto to confirm her identity,” Buddy said from the back seat.
“The ex was in jail. If he, at one time, worked for Carlotto and knew Carlotto was interested in Frankie, then why would he grab her and bring her back to Chicago?” Turbo asked.
Hearts on Fire 5: Loving Frankie (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 21