24. Frankie
Chapter 24
Frankie
I get back to the gym around lunchtime and see Tony pacing up and down.
“What’s crawled up your ass?” I ask as I head into the lockers and start to strip down before heading into the shower block.
I hear his footsteps as he enters. “We have another job, and this one is top priority. The boss needs it done and it has to be you,” he tells me.
“Okay, what’s wrong with that?” I ask as I poke my head out of the shower curtain.
“He doesn’t know you’re actually a she yet.” He shakes his head as his palm slaps the wall.
“Why don’t you just tell him? Don’t you think I’ve proven myself by now?” I reach out my hand, and he throws the rough white towel to me.
“That’s not the fucking point,” he says as he continues pacing while I dry myself and change into to clean clothes.
“And the point is?” I say, tossing the damp towel in the corner of the room.
“The point”—he turns to look at me—“fuck’s sake, Fran, put some fucking clothes on.” He turns around and continues, “The point is, I fucking lied to him.”
“Look, I’m sure if you just explain to him, he’ll be fine. I’ve done everything he asked, and I’m excellent at it.” I slap my hand on his shoulder. “I think you’re worrying about nothing.”
“You don’t understand, but you will,” he says as he stalks out of the locker room and heads back to his office, with me on his tail.
“This job, does it have to be today, or can it wait until tomorrow?” I ask.
“Why?”
“I haven’t had any sleep because some fucking dick made me ride the greyhound.” I narrow my eyes at him as he laughs. “Oh, I’m glad that’s made you laugh,” I say as I head out the door and flip him the bird as I go.
“Just have your phone on, and I’ll contact you when we need you,” he shouts at me, still laughing at my discomfort.
Asshole!
I can’t wait to get back to my apartment and sleep for days. My body aches and it’s not only from sitting on that fucking bus. I felt the marks and bruises he left on me when I was showering, and it’s such a turn on knowing his marks are there.
The problem comes when they’re gone, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
The lift is still fucking broken in the apartment, so I take the stairs and unlock my door, bumping my shoulder against it to open it. I really will say something about that … eventually.
Slamming the door behind me and securing the lock, I go to my bed and fall face onto the soft mattress.
I lay there for a moment, and then I remember … he left a message!
I scramble up and pull my phone from my pocket. Looking at the red voicemail icon, I press play. His husky voice plays through the speaker.
“Il mio tesoro, it appears you’re trying to test my patience.” He laughs darkly. “That’s something I wouldn’t advise, so I expect you at the club … same time … tonight.”
The call ends, and I take the phone away from my ear and just stare at it. I mean, the fact that I listen to his chocolatey smooth voice on repeat is irrelevant.
I lay on my back, hitting play again and again until my eyes finally close, then my mobile falls to my face and wakes me with a start.
Fuck’s sake! I know I shouldn’t reply, but I’m also not going to go to the club. I can’t just say nothing … can I?
After laying down and debating whether I should or shouldn’t call, I must have fallen asleep and wake to my phone ringing.
“What?” I answer.
“You need to get back to the gym,” Tony's voice comes down the line.
“You’re kidding, right? I’ve only just left,” I grumble.
“That’s a joke, right? It’s 9:00 p.m., so get your ass back here. We have things to go through.” The dial tone rings through my ears.
What the actual fuck! 9:00 p.m. … it can’t be! I check my phone and see several texts I’ve missed while I’ve been asleep.
Sex God: …
Sex God: You have five minutes
Shit, I’ve ten missed calls from him! I smile to myself because this means he must like me … maybe a little, right?
I go back to the thread and type my response.
Me: I’m so sorry, but I said I couldn’t come. Busy with work right now … rain check? ;-) x
Hitting send, I jump up, change, and head out the door. I have no idea what I look like, but I need to get to the gym before Tony rings me again. I must have declined three calls before leaving my apartment.
“What’s the big emergency?” I stroll in acting like there’s nothing to worry about. I know he’s still on edge about the boss, but once I do this big job, I’m sure he’ll be fine about me being a woman.… I can’t see the big deal to be honest.
“Fucking hell, Fran, seriously?” He punches the punch bag that swings and rattles from the ceiling.
“I’m here, aren’t I? What do you need?” I ask, stepping forward to grab hold of the bag and nod at him to continue with his punishment. His fists pound away as I stand firm.
“The jobs on hold. Apparently, the target has taken a trip and won’t be back for a while.” He punches harder and harder.
“Okay, and?” I look at him waiting to see what the issue is.
“You have to be here day and night, so I’ve put a cot out for you to sleep on. You have to be ready.” He stops punching and wipes his brow.
“You’re fucking joking, right?” I throw a towel at him.
“Do I look like I’m fucking joking?” His brows raise.
“You know I’m good at what I do. I don’t need to sleep here to get shit done,” I argue.
“This is important to the boss, so it’s important to us,” he tells me as he reaches for a bottle of water.
“Fan-fucking-tastic!” I throw my arms up in annoyance and walk toward the lockers to grab my trainers.
“Oh, and that means no more visits to the club before the job is done.” He points at me.
“What!” My mouth drops in shock. “How long for?” I ask.
“Could be a week, a month at most. It depends when the target is back,” he says nonchalantly.
“For fuck’s sake, you can’t be serious. You want me to go without sex until I’ve killed this guy?” I screech.
He smiles and moves closer to me. “Damn straight.”