I jog out of the house as soon as I hear them pull up in the driveway. Before she can open the door, I do it for her and pull her into my arms, taking a deep inhale of her sweet vanilla scent in an attempt to calm myself.
She’s okay.
“I’m sorry, Frankie.”
“Shhh. It’s fine.”
I flash a warning glare at Jax. I know it isn’t completely their fault. It’s mine. I should have gone with her. Even if it was just scoping out a neighborhood. From now on, she doesn’t leave my fucking side.
I place her back down on her feet. She flinches as I cup her face and that’s when I see the cuts on her cheek. Murderous doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel.
There is a fear in her eyes. She’s scared I’m going to blow up.
I press my lips over hers, reminding her what’s most important. Reminding myself that she’s okay. Whoever hurt her will die.
As will her father.
I swear to God, my heart stopped when Enzo came to me with the phone.
“Come on, let’s go inside,” I whisper, taking in a deep breath. I need to be calm, for her, for the baby.
Jax and Kai stay on their bikes. Now that she’s home, I want to murder them both a little less. I still don’t want to see them for the next few hours, though.
“Go back to the gym, fill Grayson in, and work with Enzo to bring me this guy’s head.”
They both nod and head out, knowing better than to even utter a single word to me. I lead Zara back inside and she sits herself down on the couch. I take my place next to her, pulling her up onto my lap.
I can honestly say for the first time in forty years, I felt pure terror.
Lacing my arms protectively around her middle, I soak her in, stroking light circles around her toned stomach. Her presence calms the fire that was burning in me.
“I should have gone with you today,” I say, resting my chin on her shoulder.
“I told you before, Frankie. I don’t need babysitting. Not by you. I handled myself, didn’t I?” Her lower lip sticks out in a delicious pout.
Sighing, I push a tendril of hair from her cheek. “That isn’t the point, Zara. That’s not how we work here, baby.”
“Give me some credit.” She turns in my arms to straddle me.
I brush a hand down her thigh and slip under her tights. Her legs twitch open instantly.
“Always so ready for me, even if I should be punishing you,” I whisper in her ear.
I slide out my hand and settle it back on her stomach.
Her breath hitches. “I don’t deserve to be punished. I deserve a reward.”
I tap her jutting lower lip. “Putting yourself in danger does not deserve to be rewarded, Zara. Not a fucking chance.”
I just want to keep her safe. To keep her happy.
“I can’t stand you sometimes, Frankie.” She glares at me in annoyance.
I bite back a laugh. Moments ago I was so mad I could have broken even Jax in half bare-handed. Now she’s here, on my lap, pushing my buttons.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Well, you better sit then. I might be able to change your mind.”
Her green eyes narrow. “I am sitting. What are you talking ab—”
“Sit. On. My. Face.”
Her mouth makes a perfect ‘o’ as a blush works its way up her neck.
I peel her tight leggings over her ass and she lifts her hips to help me while tugging off her sweater and bra. I slide down between her legs as she holds onto the arm of the couch, giving me a perfect view of those pierced nipples.
She lowers herself against my nose and I lick gently to get her started. I hold on to her as she rolls her hips, her little moans spurring me on.
“That’s it baby, ride my mouth. Show me how much you need this.”
She lifts herself up and I slap her ass, inching my tongue out further.
“I told you to sit on my face. So why the fuck can I still breathe?” I slap her hip again, this time harder.
She screams out and drops, grinding against me.
I feast on her, ignoring my dick painfully straining in my pants. I’m too distracted by this beauty acting like she’s never been eaten out before. I squeeze around her thighs, switching between licking and sucking until her legs quiver.
I pull her downwards, so she’s covering me completely and thrust three fingers inside her soaking pussy.
“Fuck, Frankie!” she cries.
I let her ride her climax out on my face. She slows down and eventually lifts herself up, looking down at me with perfectly flushed cheeks and a wild hunger in her eyes.
“Only one?” She grins mischievously.
I slide out from between her legs and pick her up, tossing her over my shoulder. Then, I slap her ass for every step I take up to our bedroom.
Rolling over, I run my hands along the cold side of Zara’s bed. Panic tries to take me as I sit up.
I pause, my heart sinking at the sound of Zara’s heart-wrenching sobs echoing from the bathroom. Even over the shower, I can hear her muffled sobs.
I don’t care what it is, I will find a way to stop her from hurting.
I walk in and frown as I don’t immediately see her, but then I spot her on the floor, nestled against the cold tiles, her head tucked against her knees.
Without hesitation, I hastily enter the shower, collapsing onto the floor as I draw her soaked body close to mine, surrendering to the cascade of water.
“Speak to me.” I hold her face in my hands, swiping away her tears with my thumb.
“It’s mom,” she sniffles.
“What’s happened?”
“I’ve been trying to get through to her hospital room, she’s not answering. She has a heart condition and is in a place to help her. It’s not good. They won’t tell me anything, except she’s been transferred. What if something bad has happened? I need my mom, Frankie. After today, I need to tell her the truth, and about the baby, too. It’s not safe for her to be around dad. I need to do something.”
I hold her tighter, feeling the tremors in her body as she sobs. I stroke her back, resting my head on hers.
“I never told her I was leaving. She doesn’t know what’s going on. She could be thinking anything about me if it’s up to dad. I need to see her, Frankie. I need to make sure she’s okay.”
“She’s fine, angel.”
With a shake of her head, she pulls back.
“How do you know that?!” she shouts. I raise my eyebrows at her to remind her who she is talking to.
“Because I’ve taken care of it. I’m having her moved to a secure hospital in Vegas. No one can get to her and she’s being looked after. She knows you didn’t abandon her, Zara.”
Her eyes narrow. “What? How?”
“With Enzo’s help. We explained the situation to her.”
She blinks rapidly at me with her mouth wide open. According to Enzo, Jane has the same attitude as her daughter. She’s strong. She knew something was happening with George. That still didn’t stop her from making Enzo promise to video call me. He said she wants to grill me about Zara to make sure that I am taking care of her.
“All of it?”
I nod.
“We gave her a choice. To get her out of there and move her to a facility that is safe away from your father. One under the protection of Mikhail. Or she stays with George and loses her daughter.”
She blinks, wide eyed. “She believed you?”
“She knows more than you think, baby. When you speak to her, she will explain.”
“She can’t afford all those fancy new treatments.”
“I have that covered, Zara. I told you before, money means nothing to me. She will have the best care, with new specialists and whatever treatment plan will help her.”
She slams into my chest and clings to me tightly.
“Thank you, Frankie. I don’t know what to say.”
“We take care of our family. I don’t need thanking.” I run my fingers through her soft hair.
She looks up, her puffy red eyes staring back at me.
I stroke her cheek. “You know I’ll do anything for you,” I say and mean every single word.
“Can I see her soon?”
“Once it’s settled down more, I’ll take you. In the meantime, we’re setting up a phone system you can speak to her on that will be secure. When we have the girls safe and finish this, we can look at our options. Whether she moves in with us, or we find somewhere nearby. Whatever you want, baby.”
She wraps her hands around my neck, pulling me down to her and capturing my lips with her soft ones. With a firm grip, I bring her closer, feeling her trembling body gradually subside, enabling me to lift her out of the shower.
