29. Reath
29
REATH
I heard the crash and knew Frankie was in trouble.
I spun and charged through Smokehouse, dodging tables. I sensed my brothers following behind me.
“Stay at the bar, Macy,” I heard Colt grit out. “Stay with London.”
I moved toward the back of the bar and saw a chair was tipped over.
Swiveling, I spotted movement and saw Frankie struggling with a man in the back hall. She looked like she was off balance.
What had he done to her?
I made no sound, gave no warning. I just launched in and yanked her free.
“Reath?” She blinked at me, her eyes unfocused. I thrust her toward Colt. Beau and Kavner flanked me.
The man who’d attacked her staggered back and held his palms up. He was dressed in jeans and a shirt, just like everyone else in Smokehouse. Designed to blend in.
“She was sick and stumbling,” the man said, with an overblown Texas accent. “I was just trying to help her.”
“No.” Frankie was shaking in Colt’s arms. “No…” A groove appeared in her forehead. “He was trying to…to take me away.”
My gaze narrowed on the man. Suddenly, he darted left, making a run for it.
I tackled him and we hit the ground. I got on top of him and pressed my forearm against his neck. With just enough pressure to make it uncomfortable for him.
“Who are you?”
“I’m just—” He wheezed and grabbed at my arm.
I pushed a little harder. “You touched her. You were going to take her.” Take her from me. “You’re one of Auclair’s goons.”
He gagged. “No, look, man—”
“Drop the accent.” This time, I punched.
He grunted, but when he looked up at me this time, he sneered. He had blood smeared on his teeth. “Fuck you.”
His real accent sounded less American and more European.
I hit him again.
“Enough.” As I pulled my fist back again, Beau grabbed it. “It’s better to lock him up and ask some questions.”
I ground my teeth together, fighting for some control.
“And Frankie needs you,” Kavner murmured.
I looked over. She was shivering and pale, leaning against Colt’s side.
I rose. “Get him to PSS and into a holding cell.” No police this time. “I want to know everything he knows. If he won’t talk, make him.”
Beau smiled. “My pleasure.”
“You can’t beat Auclair,” the man said.
“I can.” I let my resolve slide into my voice. “I’m Reath Fury, and I’ve stopped Auclair before.”
Beau hauled the man up.
The man’s eyes widened. “You’re the one.”
I knew exactly what the man was talking about.
“He hates you.”
“The feeling is mutual.” I turned and strode to Colt.
Frankie tried to focus on my face.
“Reath…” Her voice was slurred. “I knew you’d come.”
I swept her into my arms and lifted her off her feet. Her head flopped onto my shoulder.
“She’s been drugged.” Anger spurted in my gut.
“There was a woman… She gave me a cocktail.” She licked her lips. “Said it was from Mila.”
Colt jerked his head toward Auclair’s man. “He must’ve had an accomplice or paid someone to give her the drink.”
Beau shook the man. “What the fuck did you give her, asshole?”
The man’s mouth firmed. “GHB. But I didn’t give her much.”
I glared at him, wanting to punch him again.
Kav took the man’s other arm. Beau nodded at me. “Go take care of your girl. We’ll get this trash out of here.”
I’d deal with Auclair’s man later. Right now, Beau was right. Frankie was my top priority. “I’m taking her to my place. Colt, call Dr. Hamilton.”
My brother nodded.
Dante and Mila appeared. Dante looked like a storm cloud, and concern was etched on Mila’s face.
“Is she okay?” Mila asked.
“She will be.”
Dante opened the back door of the bar. “Mila, stay inside. I’ll be back.”
She squeezed his arm. “Take care of her, Reath.”
My brother escorted us across the parking lot to my warehouse. Just as we reached the front door, Dante’s cellphone beeped. Blue light illuminated his face as he checked the message. “Colt said the doc isn’t far away. She won’t be long.”
“Thanks, Dante.”
He opened the door for me and scowled. “I’m just sorry this happened. Especially at my place. She’s been through enough.”
“She’s going to be all right.” With a nod, I headed inside. I carried her upstairs and straight to my bedroom.
“Reath…” She pressed a hand to my cheek and smiled. “God, you’re so handsome.”
I laid her on the bed and stroked her hair back from her face. “He gave you a drug. The doctor’s going to check you out.”
Frankie pulled a face.
“I promise that Doc Hamilton is nice.”
“No doctor is nice. They poke and prod.” Frankie snuggled into the pillow. “Mmm, this smells like you. I like your bed, Reath.”
And I liked her in it. My gut tightened. A lot.
Her dark lashes fluttered open. “I like you, too. But I can’t tell you because it’s just sex.” She put a finger to her lip and made a “shh” sound.
“Hell, Frankie.” I cupped her cheeks. I was damn glad to see some color back in them.
Then, her eyelids closed, and she fell asleep.
I sat watching her, and listening to her delicate, little snores. I didn’t dare leave her in case the drug affected her breathing.
There was a knock at the bedroom door.
I looked over my shoulder and saw Dr. Hamilton. The older Black woman was wearing an evening dress in a purple color, her dark hair in a stylish cut that brushed her jaw line and framed her handsome face.
“I let myself in,” the doctor said.
“Thanks for coming. Sorry for interrupting your night.”
She waved a hand. “The play was extraordinarily boring, but my date insisted we go. You did me a favor.” Her gaze shifted to the bed. “So, you found yourself a woman. I thought Beauden would be next.”
“It’s temporary.”
“A-ha.” She set her black bag beside the bed and eyed Frankie. “Colt said she’d been drugged.”
I nodded. “GHB. Someone was trying to abduct her.”
“Never a dull moment around here. Did she consume much?”
“No. She didn’t finish the drink, but she was unsteady and sleepy.”
The doctor looked Frankie over and checked all her vitals. Frankie barely stirred.
“She’ll be fine, Reath.” The doctor slid her stethoscope off her neck. “Keep her hydrated and let her sleep it off.”
I stroked Frankie’s hair again. “You’re sure?”
She pressed a hand to my shoulder and squeezed. “I’m sure.” The doctor packed up her bag and lifted it. “Take care of your girl. I’ll let myself out.”
I would take care of Frankie. “Whatever it takes.”
I stayed there watching the sleeping woman in my bed for a long time.