“Hey Enzo, I think we’re onto something here. Let me send it across.” I look up at Enzo sitting at the other side of the dining table, typing away.
“Send it,” he says without looking up.
I don’t think there is a single place on earth Enzo wouldn’t be able to hunt down someone. I thought some of our systems in the NYPD were advanced, but shit, what Enzo has created is a whole new level.
That does make me think, how dangerous is Romano? For someone to go off grid and have Enzo not being able to find them, that doesn’t sit right with me.
“Sent. Enzo, can I ask you something?”
When he looks up, his fingers thread through his dark hair, and his striking blue eyes find mine as he stretches away from his keyboard.
“What happened with Frankie and Romano? I know a little bit about Rosa’s wedding. I err, saw the aftermath of that. I don’t understand the determination. This is more than just a territory war, isn’t it?”
I was thinking about this last night, why Frankie killed his brother and Romano’s kids. There has to be more. Frankie doesn’t look for trouble, even if it seems to find him. He acts like he is out for revenge.
Enzo’s gaze shifts momentarily, his attention elsewhere as he anxiously chews on the inside of his mouth. “Zara, look, it’s not my place to say. Yes, there is a lot more to it. It isn’t my story to tell.”
“Right,” I say, while tapping my finger against the table.
His palms flatten on the table. “Ask him. In all the time I’ve known Frankie, he’s never let anyone in. You’re different. If you need the truth, demand it. We both know that’s who you are.”
I take a sip of water, the nausea starting to make my head woozy.
He’s right. I’m not scared of Frankie. But, maybe deep down, I’m afraid of what he might tell me.
I look at the time on the screen. Frankie was training with Grayson and Jax at the gym today and then coming back for a call with Mikhail any minute now.
“I can see you scheming,” Enzo laughs.
“Me? Never.” I like working with him. We make a good team.
“This guy, you know him?” Enzo asks as he flips his laptop around.
“I’ve heard of him. He’s SWAT. He was part of the raid on the safe house. I think he’s holding the women for my dad until they find buyers. We should scope it out before we do anything. I’m not 100% on this one.”
“Sure. I can send out a team.”
I shake my head. “He’s NYPD. If he is hiding the girls, he’s going to be on high alert. I’ll go.”
He frowns. “Take Jax and Kai with you, otherwise Frankie will kill me.”
I roll my eyes dramatically. He’s right. Frankie would flip if I went on my own.
“Will I ever not need a babysitter?”
“It’s not babysitting, Zara. It’s protecting. We never go out on our own, none of us.” His finger stabs the table emphatically.
“Oh, okay.”
He pulls up his phone and leans back in his chair as he texts. “Let me get Jax and Kai here. We need to act fast.”
I stand. “You got it, boss! Let me get changed.”
I hear the front door slam shut and Frankie double steps up the stairs, heading straight into his office. I put my hoodie on and finish the look off with some sneakers, just in case I end up needing to run today. Not that my body is ready for that.
As I enter the hallway, I can hear Frankie’s raised voice. “It’s not fucking good enough. We can’t keep waiting around for answers. We are going to have to draw this fucker out from hiding. This has to end, Mikhail.”
I stop outside the door, listening to Mikhail’s aggressive Russian tone coming back through speakers, but I can’t understand the words.
Frankie’s voice mellows. “It has to be money. That’s why he’s doing this. See what you can find out from your sources in Moscow.”
I quietly open the door and peer through, desire flowing through me as I watch him toss his sweater across the room, revealing his toned physique in a tight black tee. His skin glistens from his workout. I look at his computer and see Mikhail’s masked face on the screen.
Dropping to my knees, I silently start to crawl towards him so I’m not seen on the video call. I stop as I reach halfway and Frankie’s eyes flick to mine and back to the monitor. He spreads his legs apart and leans back, gesturing me closer with two fingers. I make my way over and sit between his knees, careful not to hit my head on the desk.
Mikhail’s voice has a tinny sound. “The girls, I’m keeping them here for now? Correct? I have the paperwork ready for your say so.”
“Yes,” Frankie almost grunts out as I run my nails up his thighs.
In one swift motion, he frees his cock from his shorts and grabs the back of my head, pushing me towards him so I can take him in my mouth.
I hear the mouse click.
“Not a single sound from you, capiche?”
I look up at him through my lashes and nod, getting to work without making a noise. Taking him as far back as I can without choking.
The mouse clicks again.
“I’ll speak to my contacts tonight and get back to you, Frankie.”
“You’ll have the next shipment on Monday.”
I lick up his shaft and watch as his jaw clenches, his thighs tightening under my hands.
As soon as I suck on the tip, he pulls my hair so tight at my scalp that my eyes start to water. I squeeze my legs together, the need for him taking over.
“I have to go. I’ll speak to you later.” He cuts the call and turns his attention to me. The desire in his eyes is mixed with that darkness that hides there. He stands, towering over me, not taking his gaze off me.
“Now, let me hear you gag,” he says with a smirk, pushing my head down so he hits the back of my throat and starts fucking my mouth. I grab his ass and dig my nails in, taking everything he gives me.
He lets out a deep moan, which sparks me to start caressing his balls. He tenses against me. Just when I close my eyes, thinking he’s going to come down my throat, he pulls me off him. Wasting no time, his hand strokes his cock as he yanks down my top.
I look up at him as he tips his head back, stroking himself with his hand, squeezing my shoulder.
“Fuck. Zara.” The way my name rolls off his tongue as he loses control catches my breath.
I bite down on my lip as his hot cum smothers my chest.
Lifting me to my feet, he holds the back of my neck and crashes his lips over mine.
“Your turn, baby,” he whispers against my lips.
I pull back and give him a playful smile. “I can’t. I’m going out for work.”
His thumb delicately strokes my bottom lip.
“Let me clean you up.”
He releases me, and I lean back on the desk. It doesn’t take long for him to return with a wet cloth. He starts to delicately move the fabric over my skin.
“Where are you going?” His tone has dropped, the sincerity in it moving over me as tenderly as the soft material as he cleans me.
“Checking out a location for the girls.”
“Get Enzo to send his men,” he says gruffly.
“I’m perfectly capable. Don’t keep me locked up, because I’ll only want to escape. Remember that.” I keep the warning in my words.
“Fine.”
I let out a long sigh. “I’m taking Kai and Jax.”
I can see the worry on his face.
“Don’t do that to me, Frankie. Trust me?” I tilt my head to the side and offer him a sweet smile.
“All I ask is don’t take unnecessary risks. Okay?” His hand dips under my top and splays on my stomach. “I can’t lose either of you, baby.”
These damn hormones have my eyes stinging. I wrap my arms around him and squeeze him tight. “You know I’ll do everything I can to keep us safe, Frankie. I promise you.”
“I know, angel,” he whispers into the top of my head.
I push my chin up and press a kiss to his neck. “When I’m home, can you tell me what happened with Romano? Why do you hate him so much? I feel like I’m missing a huge piece of the puzzle here.”
As his body goes stiff, his jaw ticks, and he averts his eyes from me.
“There are things that are best left in the past.” The conflict flickers across his features as he looks into my eyes.
“Have a good day at work.” He kisses me softly, pulling away and running a hand through his hair as he walks out of the office, slamming the door behind him.
It leaves me standing in the middle of the room, staring at a closed door, wondering what the hell just happened.
I look in the rearview mirror as I pull up next to the curb. There was a silver Chevrolet tailing me for most of the journey over. I sit and wait, watching as Jax and Kai park their bikes behind me. Running my fingers through my hair, I shake my head.
I’m probably overthinking it.
I just can’t help thinking I’ve seen that damn car before. I jump as Jax taps on the window with a grin.
“You good?” He gestures for me to get out.
Blowing out a long breath, I nod to him and get out.
I look past them both and down the road; there are no signs of that car.
“What’s up?” Jax asks, concern etched across his face.
“Did you notice a silver Chevy tailing us on the way here?”
Jax turns to Kai, who shrugs and shakes his head.
“Want me to go check it out?” Kai asks.
“Yeah, just have a look down nearby roads. It’s probably nothing. Jax, you can stay with me. We can go scope out the road, see if our SWAT guy is home.”
“You got it, boss,” Jax says playfully.
I take off, wrapping my long black coat tighter around me. I can’t stop thinking about Frankie shutting down on me. Now, more than ever, I need to find out what happened. If he wants it all with me, he needs to tell me the damn truth.
As I approach the little picket fence around our target’s house, there isn’t a car in the driveway. I keep walking past, checking to see how many of the neighbors are in. I know I can’t break in, not in broad daylight.
Pushing down my sunglasses over my eyes, I circle back around, crossing over the road and walking to Jax and Kai on their bikes next to Frankie’s Porsche.
“He’s not in, seems pretty dead down there. What do you say? Do some snooping?”
Kai warily looks at Jax. This wasn’t part of the mission.
A grin spreads on Jax’s lips. “Fuck it, let’s go. Kai, you wait here and keep watch.”
“You got a gun?” Jax asks, taking his out and offering it to me.
“You think Frankie would let me leave the house without one? Put it away.” I push his weapon back to him.
I follow Jax’s lead. He scales the side gate, dropping down the other side and opening it up for me.
With my pistol firmly in my grip, we creep around the alley into his small yard. I open up the shed and am disappointed to find only a mower.
Jax checks the back door. “It’s locked.”
Something tells me the girls aren’t here. The neighborhood is far too quiet. There would be someone here. The SWAT guy might know where they are, but he isn’t hiding them. That’s what my gut is telling me.
“Want me to fix that?” Jax asks, his eyes bright.
“No. They aren’t here. Let’s just go.”
Jax jogs in front of me, checking it is clear before we walk out. He tugs my arm and we break into a fast walk until we round the corner.
Kai tosses Jax his helmet as we approach.
“Anything?”
“No,” We both reply in unison.
Kai raises a brow, looking between us.
I unlock the car. “You two can head home. I’m just going to call Enzo. I’ll be right behind you.”
Holstering my gun, I lean against the smooth hood as the boys ride off. I’m sure this cop knows something, I need to dig deeper to find out where he’s hiding them.
I dial Enzo’s number, pulling my sleeves over my hands to warm them up.
“Zara, everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just leaving now. The girls aren’t here. No way would they be stupid enough for that. Can you start digging deeper, maybe see what properties he owns?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll see what I can do, and we can have a look when you’re back.”
As I reach to open the driver’s door, I cast my eyes across the road, and squint.
I swear that’s the same silver car from earlier.
“The boys are on their way back, and I’ll be back in twenty. Can you look up a license plate for me?”
“What is it?”
Grabbing a hold of the handle, I open my mouth to reply and a hand wraps around my arm, making my phone drop to the ground.
“Get the fuck off me.” I pull my elbow back and slam it as hard as I can into my attacker’s stomach.
As I stumble forward, my lungs strain for breath and my ears are filled with a deafening ring. The masked guy lunges towards me. I duck out of the way, kicking him in the shin.
“Fucking bitch,” he grunts.
Seizing the opportunity, I sprint towards the car.
Before I can get there, he grabs my shoulders and pushes me up against a retaining wall. As my cheek grazes against the rough brickwork, a sharp hiss escapes my lips.
“I’m not here to hurt you, Zara. I’m just the messenger.”
“For who?” I spit out.
“Your father. You think he doesn’t have eyes and ears? Especially when you go parading yourself in front of his friends?”
He slams me further against the wall, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
James. It has to be him telling my father.
“Get the fuck off me.”
“Keep out of your dad’s business. Do you understand? If you don’t, he won’t have a choice.”
With that, he releases me. I turn and watch as he sprints off, with his hood over his head. Bringing my fingers over my stinging cheek, I swipe the blood from my skin.
“Shit,” I whisper.
Frankie won’t let this go easily.
I rush over to the phone, picking it up from the ground. Frankie’s furious voice bellows through the speakers.
The rumbling of Kai and Jax’s engines makes me look up and see them driving towards me. Relief washes over me. With trembling fingers, I put the phone to my ear.
“Zara, what happened? Are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine. My dad sent me a warning. I think James told him I’m involved with you.”
“Is that Jax there?” he growls.
“Yes.”
“Hand him the phone.” The anger is clear in his voice. I swallow the bile down in my throat. Jax kicks out his stand, taking off his helmet.
“Here.” I give him an apologetic look.
Even from here, I can hear the wrath of Frankie as he shouts at Jax through the tiny speaker.
“I’m sorry,” I mouth to him.
Jax shakes his head, giving me a smile. I’ll make sure Frankie doesn’t continue on his war path with these two. They’re good guys. He’s just upset.
A red faced Jax hands the cell back to me.
Frankie’s voice sounds slightly calmer. “Stay on the phone, dolcezza. I can’t think straight until you’re here.”
