This Guy's in Love

by Kathryn Shay

  Lincoln’s gaze narrowed on her. “Is it true?”

  She lifted her chin and nodded.

  “Why isn’t it on your application?”

  “There was no box to check for princess.”

  Ty hid his amusement.

  The cap’s eyes widened. “Frankie, this isn’t a laughing matter.”

  “I wasn’t under any obligation to reveal my background.”

  “If I recall correctly, your background says you were born out of the country, came here with citizenship at twenty and entered the academy.”

  “That’s all correct.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I want more facts.”

  “All right. I was born in Casarina, an island off the coast of Italy. My full name is Francesca Marcello Gentileschi. Both surnames are legal.”

  “So who’s your daddy?” Deke asked.

  In a very royal way, Francesca peered down her nose at him. “A princess is the daughter of king.”

  “A fucking king? Your father is a fucking king?”

  “In Casarina, he’d have your head for referring to him like that.”

  “Really?”

  “No, of course not. We’re a sovereign state and people have rights. Though we’re a bit behind the curve in some things.”

  “Why did you come to the U.S.?” Lincoln asked.

  “Because women can’t enter law enforcement there. The country’s changing now, though.”

  Feeling responsible for this revelation, Ty leaned forward. “Do we need to cross-examine her like this?”

  “A bit more.” The cap frowned. “So you have a sister?”

  “Yeah, we met her.” This from Deke. “She a princess, too?”

  “Of course. All my six sisters are.”

  Everyone’s mouths dropped. Literally, everyone’s. “There’s seven princesses in your family?” Ty choked out.

  “Yep.” Her shoulders slumped, and Ty could see she was affected by the barrage. “I’m sorry, Cap, but I’m done with the questioning. And I’d like the rest of the afternoon off, if it’s all right.”

  “Go ahead.”

  Before she left, she said, “I have one question, though.”

  Lincoln nodded.

  “When you all found out Tyrell was the son of a Southern plantation owner, did you grill him like this?”

  Ty had never seen the captain as sheepish before. “Touché. Go ahead and take the day. Know, though, that word’s going to spread about this. As it did with Collingsworth. You’re going to take some ribbing.”

  “So long as it doesn’t affect our work, I can take as much as people dish out.” Again, regally, she walked out of the room.

  “She gonna stay on?” Deke asked.

  “Of course she is,” Mack put in. “Even if I’m mad she kept this from us, it’s really none of our business.”

  Ty frowned. “She doesn’t know us very well. She’s only been here three months. And for what it’s worth, I didn’t put the plantation stuff on my application either.”

  “When did you start defending her?” Deke scowled. “She treats you like shit.”

  “I’m doing what’s right.” He looked to the cap. “Can I leave to see Anna Mae?”

  “Go ahead.”

  His mom was in his office.

  “I’m so sorry, honey.”

  “It wasn’t your fault, Mom. She told you that herself.” Francesca’s act of unselfishness when she was rattled impressed the hell out of him. “But I can’t have lunch with you today.”

  “I’ll leave, then. Call me later when you find out how she’s doing?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Tyrell, your mother notices when you have feelings for someone.”

  He laughed. “I love you, Mom.”

  Ty had to wait until his day ended, then he left the office without talking to anyone again. As he walked by the front desk, Tessie called him over. “I heard. Is that why she went home?”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “Poor thing. I think it sucks that everybody’ll get on her about this. She’s entitled to her privacy.”

  “Yeah, she is.”

  Chapter 12

  Renata was enjoying lunch outside on a sunny day in Casarina when her phone rang. Picking it up from the table, she saw the ID and clicked in immediately. “Francesca.”

  “Mamá.”

  Uh-oh. Renata waited, and when no more was coming, she said, “Darling, tell me what’s wrong.”

  The king came out to the patio. “What’s wrong with who?”

  She mouthed Francesca.

  He sat down.

  “Tell me, mi figlia.”

  “My princess status came out today at the office.” Her voice was calm, not tense or strained.

  “Dios Mio, I know you didn’t want that.”

  “Actually, in some ways, it’s a relief. I’m mostly worried about Raven. She’s trying for a gig at this high-end gallery, but she doesn’t want to get it because of her background.”

  “I’m sure Ravenna will understand.”

  Nothing.

  “And you? How will this affect you?”

  “Probably some razzing from the guys.”

  Alessio said, “Renate, I want to talk to her. Ask to put her on speaker.”

  “Is Papá there?”

  “He came to the patio right after you called. Can he be in on this?”

  “Yeah, I’d like to tell him something.”

  With a soft smile, Renata put the phone on speaker.

  Alessio, king of Casarina, spoke into it. “I’m sorry, cucciola, if my name has hurt you and the others.”

  “Don’t feel that way, Papá. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. As soon as the news broke, I realized I’m not ashamed of my background. Of your name. And I’m sorry if my using Marcello has upset you.”

  “No, no, it did not. I understood. And you are right to be concerned about your sister. You have already made it on your own without my name.”

  “So has she.”

  “No, I think she is not as well-known as she aspires to be.”

  They heard a sigh on the other end.

  “Would you like us to come there to be with you?” Renata asked.

  “No, I just wanted to hear your voice. Both your voices.”

  “That makes me very happy, Francesca.”

  “Yeah, Papá. Me, too.”

  * * *

  Later that day, Frankie sipped some tart Chardonnay and stared out her set of sliding glass doors. The view was lovely with colorful flower beds (thanks to Evvie) and natural growth. But she didn’t take pleasure in the scenery. Today, her life had changed and, despite what she’d told her parents, only time would tell what effect the revelation of her name would have on her career.

  Poor Mrs. Collingsworth. She felt terrible for something that was basically Frankie’s own fault. She should have told at least the captain about her background. And she knew intuitively she could trust Mack. Why hadn’t she? She wasn’t ashamed of who she was. Hindsight was twenty-twenty, she guessed.

  The doorbell rang. She’d closed everything up tight so the place would seem as if no one was home. But the caller might be one of her sisters, though they had keys. And Evvie should be at work at this hour.

  In the living room she peeked through the white sheers on the windows.

  Ty.

  Don’t answer. It’s dangerous.

  But in her heart, she wanted to see him, so without questioning her motives, she crossed to the foyer and opened the door. “Hi.”

  “Hi. Is it okay I came?”

  “Yeah, sure. Come in.”

  He walked into the foyer and she showed him into the living room. She saw it through his eyes: Frankie had spared no expense on the navy leather couch and loveseat with green, blue and white accent pillows, and a wide fabric chair of taupe, blue and green. She’d used casual drapes and lamps on wooden end tables. On the walls were two long rectangular paintings that resembled waterfalls�
��a gift from Ravenna. “Your place is beautiful.”

  “Fit for a princess,” she said dryly.

  “Ha.” He turned concerned gray eyes on her. “Pretty big revelation.”

  “Yeah. Sit.” She held up the glass. “You want something?

  “I’ll have wine.”

  When they settled on one sofa, they clinked glasses. “How are you holding up?” he asked after a sip.

  “You know, better than I thought I would. Ever since the news came out because of my sister’s books, I’ve dreaded this day. Now that it’s here, the whole thing doesn’t feel too bad. The cap wasn’t that mad.”

  “Deke and Mack are.”

  “I feel bad about them.”

  “The same thing happened when they discovered my background. Although I hadn’t been working with them long, either.”

  “Like me.”

  “Right, so they’ll get over their hard feelings. They shouldn’t expect you to trust them so soon with a big thing like this.”

  “What about you? I jumped all over you about not telling me about your promotion.”

  “Not the same thing. That affected you and me as a couple.”

  “Are you always fair, Ty?”

  His tawny brows rose. “I try to be.”

  She watched him over her glass.

  He said, “You know what I’d like to do?”

  “I can imagine.” Again, her tone was dry.

  “I’d like to see Casarina.”

  “You want to go home with me?”

  “Now there’s a thought.” He grinned. “But no, I meant on the computer. Show me where you’re from, tell me what it’s like to be a princess.”

  Her gaze stayed on him. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  The idea appealed to her more than he would ever know. “All right, I’ll show you who I really am.”

  * * *

  Ty woke up with a warm, very female body against him. Francesca. But he didn’t move. He glanced around her house and remembered. They’d had more wine, enough so he shouldn’t drive home. Instead of calling a cab, she suggested they stretch out on the couch for a nap. That was—he checked his watch—wow! Eight hours ago. Since they were on nights for the next shift, work wasn’t an issue.

  Now, in the morning light, holding her close, he admitted some things to himself. He wanted this woman, princess though she was, in his life. For good.

  And he was going to have her.

  She stirred. “Hmm.” Her body stilled. “Uh-oh.”

  “’Morning.”

  “It’s morning? You were just supposed to take a nap.”

  “Neither of us woke up.”

  He could feel her chuckle against his chest.

  “What?”

  “I woke up about three. You were so sound asleep, and I was exhausted, I zonked back out.”

  He kissed her head. She didn’t chide him.

  “I’ll make you coffee then send you home.”

  “If you insist.”

  When she stood, she was like a goddess with her hair a wild mass, cloaking her. “I do.”

  A half hour later, they parted amicably.

  After he left, Frankie sat in her nook again and thought about him. She’d wanted him here last night. And there was something about his kindness...man, she needed to stop obsessing about him.

  She changed into jock clothes and went out for a run. She ate, and as she was about to leave for the district, her cell rang. Raven, whom she tried to contact right after she called Casarina. “Hey, Princess Francesca.”

  “I phoned earlier, then remembered you were on vacation. How’d you find out?”

  “It’s on the cable stations.”

  “I know this is the last thing you wanted to come out.”

  “It is what it is, Frankie. I’ll be fine.”

  Frankie could hear the slight waver in her sister’s voice. Raven had lived with her for a while when she left Casarina, and they knew each other well. “Did you hear from Parkers yet?” The gallery considering a show for her paintings.

  “No, not yet. Again, forget that.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “We can’t do anything about the situation.”

  “I love you, Raven.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Frankie was thinking about something nice she could do for her younger sister when she reported to work at six.

  The squad room was lightly staffed tonight. She and Mack, Ty and Deke, another detective foursome were the only ones here. Then she noticed the captain in his office so she stopped and knocked on the opened door. “You still here or are you on tonight?”

  “Still here.” He leaned back. “How are you?”

  “I’ll be fine. You?”

  “I’m still thinking about having a princess on staff. Do you wear a tiara?”

  Her eyes widened, then she realized he was kidding. “Yeah. Around the house and when I go grocery shopping.”

  He laughed. “Get outta here.”

  Mack, Deke and Ty were in her office. Which was covered in computer pictures of the palace and of Frankie before she left Casarina. In most of them, she was indeed wearing a tiara. “You guys do this?” she asked.

  “Nope,” Ty said.

  “Do what?” Deke asked.

  “I just got in,” from Mack.

  “Yeah, sure.” She edged toward her desk. “So, how mad are you two?”

  “About as mad as we were at Collingsworth.” This from Deke.

  “Hey, wait a second,” he said with a wink at her. “My background isn’t nearly as glamorous as hers.”

  Sitting in her chair, she asked him, “How’s your mom, Tyrell?”

  “Upset that she outted you. I told her she did us a favor.”

  After a few more jibes, Deke slapped his hands on his thighs. “So, where are we at tonight?”

  Lincoln came to the door. “I can answer that. No immediate cases, and there’re two teams on in case you get multiple calls. You should do your research, check out any leads, usual stuff.”

  “Anything new on the rich guy who beat up Grandma?” Frankie asked.

  “He was arraigned this morning, and of course is out on bail. Thanks to his fleet of lawyers.”

  Lincoln left and they all got busy. The other team went out on a call, and the rest of them were glued to their computers. At seven, she stood and arched her back. “I’m going to get sodas. Anyone want one?”

  “I’ll have coffee,” Mack told her, “but I can get it up here in the break room.”

  “I’ll come with you.” Deke followed him out.

  “Ty?”

  “A Coke.” He smiled. “Doin’ okay?”

  “Uh-huh.” Frankie left the squad room feeling a lot better than she had when she went home yesterday. Next to the door to the stairwell, the elevator pinged open. A janitor got off. Hmm, he was early tonight, and she didn’t recognize him, but staff changed a lot in custodial positions. She trundled down the steps without another thought of him.

  * * *

  Ty sat staring at his computer, thinking of Francesca instead of work when he heard the squad room doors whisk open. He peeked through the windows as a janitor came down the aisle.

  When the man got flush with his office, Ty saw a gun in his hand. Oh, my God. He reached for his weapon, but John Paige, he knew now, said, “Don’t or I’ll shoot you through the head.”

  “Okay.”

  “Stand up.”

  Slowly, Ty got to his feet. He had to defuse this before the others got back. But Paige circled Ty and pointed the muzzle of the weapon at Ty’s head. As a police officer, he knew how to remain calm. They were trained for these scenarios.

  Deke and Mack came inside and were within a few feet of the office when they stopped short and drew their guns.

  “Put them on the floor and kick them away or I’ll blow his brains out.”

  His colleagues complied.

  Hands up, Mack s
aid, “Okay, buddy, stay calm.”

  “I’m calm, buddy. For someone who lost everything.”

  “You can come back from this, Mr. Paige.” Deke this time.

  “If you don’t do anything stupid.”

  “How would you know? You’re dumbass, lazy cops. You’ve never had the pressures I do. Now, turn around and our boy here will put those plastic tie things you use on your wrists.”

  “I—”

  He cocked the trigger. “Now!”

  Ty fished the ties out of a drawer and fastened them on Deke and Mack. Paige told the two of them to stay in the office.

  Still holding the gun at Ty’s head, Paige ordered him to lock the door from the outside.

  While they were facing the office, Ty heard an oomph down a few feet against the wall.

  The guy circled around fast.

  Ty lurched at him but Paige got off a shot.

  Another rang out and Paige fell to the floor.

  Across the room, Francesca also crumpled.

  * * *

  She awoke in a miasma of pain. And sniffed. She was in a hospital. It hurt when she tried to open her eyes, but eventually she pried up the lids. Three somber faces stared down at her. “Ohhhhh,” she said as she tried to sit up.

  “Don’t.” Very pale, Ty bent over her. “You got shot.”

  “No shit.” She frowned. “How bad?”

  “Not bad.” Ty again. “The bullet when through your shoulder, missing anything vital and went out the back.”

  “I hurt.”

  “Of course you do.” Mack’s voice was tender.

  “Why a janitor?”

  Since she hadn’t been on the call to school with them, she didn’t know Paige’s identity. They explained the situation to her.

  “Wow!” She scanned the room. “How long have I been here?”

  “Three hours.”

  “Help me sit up?”

  “Yeah.” Gently, Ty drew her up while Deke stuffed pillows behind her.

  The cap came into view.

  “You here, too?”