40 - Frankie
40
Frankie
—
Feeling self-conscious and exposed, I stand in the parking lot where I used to work and smooth down the minidress. It plunges daringly and barely covers my ass. Definitely not appropriate for a hospital.
“You’re radiant. If I stare at you much longer, I won’t be able to walk.” He discreetly adjusts himself.
“Thank you.” I grip his offered hand. “Why are we here?”
Again, no answer.
As he leads me to the entrance, I scan the lot, my eyes darting to the darkness at the edges.
Four security guards surround us, but the shadows writhe with menacing whispers, concealing watchful eyes and unknown dangers.
“Relax.” He moves his hand to my lower back, adding firm pressure. “You’re safe.”
Inside, the familiar hum of the trauma unit greets us, a comforting chaos I’ve missed so much.
Dozens of familiar faces gather around the front desk as if expecting me. Dr. Simons, Nurse Letty, and Rhett stand among them, the warmth of their smiles quickening my gait and tugging me away from Monty’s grip.
“Frankie.” Rhett’s face lights up when he sees me.
I rush to him and wrap my arms around his sturdy frame. As he hugs me back, I feel a weightlessness I haven’t experienced in so long.
“I missed you,” I whisper.
“We all missed you.” He looks over my shoulder at Monty. “Good to see you, Monty.”
Monty moves off to the side, hands clasped behind him, watching the reunion. For the next few minutes, I’m absorbed in the warm welcome of friends I haven’t seen in a year. The chatter, the hugs, the familiar faces, it’s overwhelming in the best way.
“You knew I was coming?” I ask Rhett.
“Monty called earlier. Said he’d bring you by to fill out the paperwork for your employment. As you can see…” He gestures at the crowd of nurses and doctors. “We’re thrilled you’re returning to work. It hasn’t been the same without you.”
Monty did this for me, knowing how much I needed it.
The backs of my eyes ache as I glance at him over my shoulder.
Thank you, I mouth.
He nods, his expression severe. But I see the love in his gaze, a devotion so deep it nearly topples me.
After I catch up with my friends, Rhett guides Monty and me to his office, where the paperwork awaits. I take a seat, my heart still racing as Monty sits beside me.
“All right.” Rhett hands me a stack of forms. “Let’s get you set up.”
While I fill out the documents, Rhett steals glances at the guards in the hall.
“We need to talk about security.” Monty straightens the cuffs of his sleeves, his tone all business.
I look up from the forms, my anxiety surging again.
“I know about the stalker.” Rhett captures my gaze. “Monty explained the situation. We have protocols in place, but we’ll adjust them to allow your personal security detail to remain with you at all times.”
“How will that work? They can’t come into patient rooms with me.”
“No, but they can wait right outside the door like they’re doing now.” He looks at Monty. “I’ll make it my priority to ensure her safety.”
“As will my security team.”
“I don’t want to be a burden,” I mutter.
“Not at all. We’ll take care of everything, ” Rhett says. “Just focus on getting back into the swing of things.”
As I make my way through the forms, Rhett and Monty step into the hall to discuss the logistics with the guards. They talk about shifts, security rotations, and the adjustments needed to ensure my safety without compromising patient care. It’s a lot to worry about, but I’m grateful for their thoroughness.
Finally, the paperwork is done.
“I think that’s everything.” Rhett stacks the documents into a folder. “I’ll add you into the rotation this week. Oh, and I’m heading to Seattle tomorrow.”
“Still traveling for the new cardiac program?” I ask. “How’s that coming along?”
“It’s going great.” His eyes sparkle. “But yeah, I’m out of town frequently to collaborate with other specialists and secure the necessary funding.”
“What kind of travel are we talking about?” Monty leans against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest.
“Mostly to major cities. I’ve been working closely with top hospitals in Seattle, San Francisco, and New York. They’re helping me develop protocols and training programs to bring our cardiac care to the next level.”
I nod, understanding the importance of his work. “I’m so happy for you, Rhett.”
“Thanks. I’m also considering partnerships with medical research institutions to conduct joint studies. That means more travel, but it’s necessary to ensure we provide the best care possible.”
“With all this travel, who manages things here in your absence?” Monty narrows his eyes.
“I put together a solid team and trust them completely. Plus, the travel is temporary. Once the program is fully implemented and the initial phase ends, I’ll spend more time here to oversee everything personally.”
“You need to communicate the security situation to the entire trauma team here.” Monty rubs his jaw, his expression pensive. “I want to be in daily contact with whoever is in charge while you’re gone.”
“I understand.” Rhett nods.
“Thank you, both of you,” I say, “for arranging the security measures.”
“If you ever feel unsafe, please let us know.” Rhett extends a hand. “Welcome back, Frankie.”
I shake it, smiling through my nerves. “It’s good to be back.”
After a round of goodbyes with the hospital staff, Monty and I leave the hum of the trauma unit behind and step outside. The shadows in the parking lot hover in my periphery, but with Monty’s hand on my back, I feel safe.
We return the hypercar to his garage and catch a ride with his chauffeur, Kai, back to the dock.
As Monty and I step onto the boardwalk leading to the yacht, an eerie silence blankets the night.
His hand remains firmly and reassuringly pressed to my lower back, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.
My ears prick at every sound, my eyes darting in every direction. The feeling of being watched follows me all the way to the yacht.
The security guard stationed at the entrance stands at attention, his face impassive.
“All good, Stanley?” Monty asks as we board.
“Yes, Mr. Novak.”
Monty quickly pulls the lines from the dock cleats and prepares to depart. I kick off my heels and lean against the taffrail, watching him work.
“I’ll get the last one.” As I bend down to free the line, I glimpse something out of the corner of my eye. Something that shouldn’t be there.
A dark blob sits on the dock beside the cleat.
My heart lurches.
“Wait.” I spin toward Monty, grabbing his arm. “Do you see that?”
He follows my gaze, his eyes narrowing.
“What the—?” He motions for me to stay and takes off toward the gangway.
Fuck that.
I race after him, ignoring his glare as we approach the strange object.
A few feet away, my breath hitches.
The moonlight glints off something metallic.
A fillet knife.
Then the rest comes into view.
A severed human hand.
With the palm down and fingers splayed, a knife plunges through it, pinning it to the wooden dock.
Attached to the blade is a note, undoubtedly written to me.
Bile hits the back of my throat as my mind swims.
Whose fucking hand is that?
My first thought is Denver. The stalker already sent his heart. Maybe all the pieces of him will show up, bit by bloody bit.
Please let that be Denver’s hand.
I inch forward for a closer inspection.
“Stay back.” Monty’s face hardens, his jaw clenched in fury.
When I take another step forward, he pulls me back, shielding me from the gruesome sight.
“Stanley!” he shouts.
The security guard rushes over, his eyes widening in shock. “I was here the whole time, sir. I didn’t see or hear anything.”
The rest of the guards spread out around us, securing the perimeter.
“We need to alert the authorities,” Carl says, his voice steady.
Monty nods. “Do it. And get more men out here. Lock this place down.”
“I need to see it.” I push around him, crouching down. “I need to know.”
He lowers to his haunches beside me, grabbing my arm, ready to yank me back as if I’ll try to touch it.
I dug human bones out of the ashes at Hoss. But this is different. It still has skin and blood, and it’s fucking fresh.
“It can’t be Denver’s,” I whisper. “The fingers are too thin, too smooth. I know every scar on both of his hands. There were a lot of them. This one…”
“Doesn’t have any distinguishing marks.”
Except for the knife running through it.
Not just any knife. I recognize the faded wooden handle, cracked with use.
“That’s the fillet knife.” A gasp escapes me. “The one Denver used when he stabbed Kody’s hand on the table.”
“Are you sure?”
“I would never forget it. I had to wash it after Kody removed it.”
“Are you okay?” His blue eyes search mine.
“I’m not panicking.” Not yet. I pull out my phone and illuminate the grisly appendage with the flashlight.
“Here.” He takes the device from me, shining the light. “Do you recognize the hand?”
“No. It doesn’t belong to Leo or Kody.”
I know their hands better than my own. But I’m desperate to call them, hear their voices, and confirm they’re okay.
“Wolfson?” He chokes.
My vision blurs as I peer closer, trying to rule him out.
“It’s a man’s hand. Wolf didn’t have scars on his. But he always had them covered in black ink.” My chin quivers. “I don’t know, Monty.” My entire body trembles. “We need to see what the note says.”
Grimly, he pulls it free from the blade, careful not to touch the hand. Unfolding it, he reads aloud, his voice low and tight with anger. “Happy anniversary, little girl. He will never touch you again.”
An icy shiver runs down my spine, pooling dread in my stomach.
Who?
I meet Monty’s eyes. “Who touched me?”
“A dozen different people at the hospital tonight.”
“Rhett.” I grab my phone from his grip. “I have to call him.”
“And Doyle.” Standing, he removes his device and turns to the waiting guard. “Is the yacht secure?”
“Yes.” Carl steps forward. “You should wait there.”
As Monty wraps an arm around me, guiding me back on board, the threat feels more real than ever, pressing in from all sides.
In the main cabin, I start to dial Rhett when a text comes in.
Unknown number: How will your date end? If you go to bed with the wolf, will the bear and the lion fuck the siren?
Every muscle in my body coils, ready to spring or flee. But I’m paralyzed.
I glance at Monty, but he’s already looking at me, his eyes sharpening, seeing it all on my face.
He plucks the phone from my trembling hands.
Fleeting shadows dart across his expression as he reads before his features settle into a chilling, impenetrable calm.
When he types a reply, it bounces back with a No longer in service response.
Clutching my hand, he leads me to the cabinet where he stores the satellite phone.
“Talk to the guys.” He presses numbers into the receiver and hands it to me. “I’ll call Rhett and Doyle.”
As the call connects, he steps a few feet away with his phone to his ear.
“Monty?” Leo answers on the first ring.
My knees buckle, and I slide down the cabinet to the floor. “It’s me. Is Kody with you?”
“He’s right here, love. What happened?”
“We received another delivery.”
I tell them about the knife, the hand, the note, and text message. Then I have to explain why I was off the island, the dinner, the visit to the hospital, and the significance of the date. They didn’t know today was the day Denver took me.
But Doyle knew.
By the time I finish answering their questions about my final therapy session with Doyle, Monty returns and sits on the floor beside me.
“Rhett is still at the hospital.” A muscle in his jaw bounces. “Doyle isn’t answering.”
My chest collapses.
“Why the fuck did you leave the island?” Kody growls through the phone loud enough that Monty hears him.
He takes the receiver from me. “Calm your ass down.”
They argue back and forth until Carl enters the cabin, announcing the local police are here.
“Listen to me,” Monty says into the phone. “I’m taking her home and keeping her safe. Don’t you dare try to fly back tonight. Wait until morning when it’s safe to fly. Use your fucking head.” He listens, nodding. “I know. We’re not letting this bastard win. We’ll find him.” Another pause. “She’ll call you when we’re back on the island. Yeah, you, too.”
He disconnects and turns his attention to me. “How are you doing?”
“Fantastic.” I grit my teeth. “How did they get so close to the yacht without being seen?”
“He’s been watching, waiting for the perfect moment.”
“How do you know it’s a he ?”
“I don’t. But that note…my gut tells me this nutjob isn’t just an admirer. He’s possessive and jealous and wants you for himself.”
He will never touch you again.
What does that mean for Leo and Kody? And Monty, too? Will their body parts show up next?
“We’ll get through this.” Monty pulls me close, his arms banding around me in a protective embrace. “We’ll end him. I promise.”
Unless the stalker is Wolf.
Not all wounds bleed. Not all scars show. Some live beneath bones, cold and alone. In the chambers of frost, pain is my art.
Until we find his body, I’m not giving up on him.