Chapter 25
Frankie
With my phoneclamped tight in my fist, I race down the stairs in search of Jude. He’s been outside hosing off kennels from the adoption event last weekend, a task he indefinitely delayed in favor of keeping me in his bed. Lee may technically be his boss, but Jude sets his own hours. With the part-time staff available and a handful of willing siblings, he was able to shirk his duties for a couple of days of bliss.
Unfortunately, those days ended this morning bright and early.
Jude received a call just after the crack of dawn about a hoarding situation about an hour away. The sheriff needs his help removing the dogs safely from the owner’s property. The years of neglect have made them fearful, aggressive, and difficult to handle. Being in such a rural area, they don’t have a designated animal control big enough to handle cases like this, but over the years, the Powell Sanctuary has offered its expertise when there’s a crisis. Jude needs these kennels clean to transport all the dogs in his van.
Jude hung up the phone, grumbled something about reality, squeezed my ass, kissed me hard, and lumbered out of bed.
My stomach flips happily at the memory.
“Jude!” I spot him across the green grass near the intake building, spraying the last of the eight kennels. The others dry in the sun, the black metal bars glinting beneath the rays. Dodging sticks and rocks as best as I can, I skip across the lawn.
His head snaps up. The hose falls beside him, forgotten as he tracks me. Those scrutinizing silver eyes narrow as I near.
“Baby, where are your shoes?”
“I got a call. I got a commission.”
“Slow down.” He grips my hips, pulling me to a halt in front of him.
“Someone passed on my info from the adoption event, and I got a call to create a custom canvas.”
Jude’s lips curve slowly into a sensual smile. “Congratulations. We’ll have to celebrate when I get back.”
“I know how we can celebrate.” I tip my head back.
His fingers twitch against my hips. “How’s that?”
“I want to sit in your lap while you feed me breakfast.”
Jude’s chin dips into his neck. “That’s all?”
“Naked. And I want you inside me while you do it.”
“You can’t talk to a man like that when he’s working, Frankie. It’s not easy to get shit done when your dick is hard.”
I laugh and kiss the center of his chest. One glance down reveals the bulk at the front of his jeans. My fingers slip between us and toy with the bronze button. “You could take a break.”
He lets his head fall back between his shoulders. “You’re going to kill me.”
The crunch of tires along gravel alerts us to potential onlookers. I tense to pull away, but Jude holds me in place. Goose bumps break out along my exposed arms at the statement he’s decided to make.
A black SUV stops to unlock the gate before pulling through and continuing up the drive.
“That’ll be the boys.”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
“Lee, Corjan, and Aiden.”
“No Jack?”
All of Jude’s siblings are sweet, but the way Jack whisked me off to his motel without asking questions softened my heart to him the most.
“He has to cover the motel. And I don’t think he likes being far from Whitney and the kids.”
“I can understand that.”
“I don’t like being away from you either, which is why Aiden is here to hang with you.”
“I can’t come with?”
“It’s too dangerous, and there’s not enough room. The quicker we can get those dogs and get out, the faster I can get back to you.”
Three doors slam as the brothers exit and make their way over.
“Some employee I am. I’m starting to think I’m not actually working for you at all.”
“Just catching on, are you?”
“Jude!” I playfully slap his chest. “Seriously?”
“Dead serious. I don’t fuck my coworkers, baby, so you are officially fired.”
“I suppose I’ll just have to get my things and move out.”
“Don’t you fucking dare.” He dips his head and brushes his lips against my neck. His beard tickles the sensitive skin beneath my ear. “I don’t want you going anywhere.”
“Can you two save your foreplay for later? I’m starving, and I hear Frankie makes a damn good breakfast,” Aiden declares.
Jude and I straighten at the same time. Jude’s glare does nothing to remove the smirk from his youngest brother’s face.
“I’m not the maid. In fact, I no longer work here, so you can get your ass to the kitchen and make it yourself.”
Aiden’s handsome face splits into a blistering smile. “She taken? I think I like this one.” He throws his arm around my shoulders, and I swear Jude actually growls.
“Get off her.”
“So touchy, big bro.” Aiden gives me a friendly lingering squeeze before he lets me go.
Jude turns to his other siblings. “Either of you two want to stay behind instead?”
“No.” Corjan grins.
“Nope.” Lee chuckles.
Aiden rubs his palms together. “Looks like she’s all mine.”
“Swear to fucking god.” Jude charges at his brother. I swipe a fistful of his shirt just in time. I realize I probably have the effect of a kitten trying to hold back a tiger, but at my tug, he turns his chin to me.
“Behave.”
Jude’s shoulders deflate. “Just let me give him a warning punch.”
“And get blood all over the place? I don’t think so.”
He spins around and cups my face. “This will have to do then.” He touches his mouth to mine.
“Get a room,” Aiden teases, hands cupped around his mouth.
“Later?” I whisper against Jude’s lips.
“Definitely later.” With one final lip touch, he straightens. “Don’t let him be a pain in your ass.”
“I won’t.”
I stand and wait while the boys load up the kennels into Jude’s van.
Jude kisses me once more, then swings around and jabs his index finger at Aiden. “I’m trusting you.”
“Yeah, yeah. You guys get so sensitive when you fall in love.”
Jude’s expression freezes into one of shock.
Oh god. Did he not... Isn’t he…? Shit.
After several seconds of pause, he shakes himself out of it and walks toward his van.
“I’ll see you later,” I tentatively call.
“Later,” he grunts and takes off. Lee and Corjan follow.
Once their taillights disappear down the driveway, I smack Aiden hard across the chest.
“Ow!” he cries and cups his hands protectively over his nipples, moving back a step. “What was that for?”
“Why did you have to say that?” I hit him again.
“Ow! Shit, Frankie,” he half laughs, half whines. “Stop, I’m sorry! Jesus, they shouldn’t have left me alone here with you, you witch.”
I screech in frustration. “Why do you have to poke at him like that? If he comes back and breaks things off because you scared him—”
Aiden stops dodging, and his face falls. “You don’t think he’d do that? I was just joking.”
“I don’t think Jude has ever taken something like love as a joke, Aiden. I know that, and I haven’t known him for that long.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry, okay? I was just messing around.”
“I know.” I sigh. “I hope he realizes that too.”
Aiden studies me. Out beneath the open blue sky, I can’t hide. “You love him.”
“I don’t know why you think I’d tell you that.” Not when I haven’t even had the chance to tell Jude.
“You don’t have to. I know a lovestruck girl when I see one.”
“Ugh. Don’t you have something else to do? I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I’m supposed to stick by your side. Jude said you liked to walk the dogs, so whatever you decide to do, I’m your shadow.”
“Yeah, well, he fired me this morning.”
“Bullshit.”
I bite back a smile. “I know. He did fire me, but I’m still going to walk the dogs.”
“Which one should we start with first?”
“How about Toyota?”
Even though Jude usually walks his dogs as a pack, we decide to take them out in pairs. There isn’t much else to do, and since Aiden’s tasked with staying by me until Jude returns, this will help pass the time.
“Who’s this one?” he asks as he ushers a small fawn shepherd out the door.
“That’s Loofah.”
“Why is she called Loofah?” He tips his cap lower over his eyes.
“Because she always smells like she needs a bath.”
We walk in silence until the trail leaves the meadow and splits through the trees. “I don’t get up here as much as I used to. I miss it.” He fidgets with the brim of his hat again.
“What is it you do for work?”
“I’m kind of out of a job at the moment.” Aiden gazes off into the trees. “I used to do construction, but I have an old shoulder injury that was acting up.”
“I’m sure you’ll find something. Don’t feel too bad. I don’t have a job either.”
“I saw your drawings. You’re really good. You have that to fall back on if you can find the right audience.”
“You have something to fall back on too, you know. I’m sure Jude could find work for you to do around here.”
“Yeah,” he says, looking off into the distance again.
Over the next two hours, we make our way through the entire rowdy bunch. By the time we’re on the last two, most of the others have settled for an afternoon nap.
I stretch and yawn. “I think that’s next on my agenda.”
“You can go ahead now if you want. I can finish up.”
“That’s okay. It keeps my mind busy.”
“You miss him, huh?”
I shrug noncommittally.
We set out again on our final loop. I think about sending Jude a message, but I don’t want to interrupt, and with how we left things, the time apart will probably do him some good to process his thoughts.
I don’t want to rush into anything he isn’t ready to, and I’m content with waiting. I just wish I could tell him not to overthink what Aiden said.
We’re near the pond when Aiden casts his gaze in the distance.
“Did you hear that?”
I strain to listen for something other than the rustle of dead leaves on the ground and the birds chirping.
“I don’t think I hear anything.”
The snap of a twig underlines my statement.
“Who’s there?” Aiden calls. Ashe and Remy stand still, ears tall and fur raising on their backs.
Dillon steps out from behind a thick oak, swinging his arm in our direction. I don’t immediately understand what’s in his hand until the sun glints off the slate barrel. The hairs on my neck rise, and goose bumps break out over my flesh.
“Don’t fucking move.”
“Whoa…” Aiden slowly eases in front of me, hands raised placatingly at Dillon. Remy crawls behind his legs and growls. “Hey man, put the gun down.”
My eyes widen, shifting between the gun and Aiden. Shock renders me speechless. I cover my mouth with my hands, still clutching the leash.
“Step away from her,” Dillon orders.
“Like hell I will.”
Dillon rolls his head back and scoffs. “Where did you find these fuckers, Frankie? Not one of them seems to have a fucking brain.”
“Please put the gun away.” I find my voice then and step away from Aiden. He doesn’t deserve to get caught up in my mess. It would kill Jude if something happened to his brother.
“You did this, Frankie, not me.” Dillon waves the gun, first shoving it in my direction before pointing it at himself. I flinch as he stabs the barrel into his chest, bracing for an accidental shot. Ashe crouches and growls at my feet. “We’re all out here in the middle of fucking nowhere because of you.”
While he tips his head to rant and rave at the sky, I study him. This isn’t anywhere close to the guy I used to know. The one who I spent days with while scraping together spare pennies, discussing plans to leave Minnesota behind us. The one who dropped down on one knee and proposed while a grin split his face because he finally found us an opportunity to sustain ourselves. This version is disheveled and worn down. The past few weeks have been unkind. The purple circles beneath his eyes are more pronounced, and his hair holds enough grease to slick the strand away from his face. His skin is broken out, as if he hasn’t been able to maintain proper hygiene and take care of himself.
“What happened to you?” I ask softly. I feel Aiden watching me out of the corner of his eye.
He swings the gun at me again. “You. You fucking happened to me.”
“You could have gone to California without me. I don’t know why you’re here.”
“There’s no California without you. How don’t you fucking get that?” His eyes narrow as if he’s waiting for something.
Something I still can’t remember.
“Then explain it to me.” Keeping my voice gentle when I want to vomit isn’t an easy task. The words shake on their way out. I grip the leash tighter, keeping Ashe close to my side. I have to protect her as much as I have to protect Aiden and myself.
If I can keep Dillon engaged and focused on me, I can delay whatever it is he has planned.
The thought that immediately follow sends a sinking feeling to my stomach.
Aiden and I are on our own in this. Jude and his brothers are going to be gone for hours. Nobody is expected to check in on us. Unless one of us can get away, we’re stuck at the end of Dillon’s gun.
But he isn’t a killer.
He wouldn’t do something like that.
I fight against closing my eyes and breathe through my nose.
I hope.
“You had to use that brain of yours and figure it out. I’ll give you something, Frankie, you’re smart and pretty. It’s no wonder it didn’t take you long to find someone ready and willing to fuck ya.”
“Hey!” Aiden shouts on my behalf. Ashe releases a startled, sharp bark.
Dillon raises a maniacal eyebrow, the gun resting loose in his hand. “Didn’t get a turn yet? She was a virgin when she got here, did you know that? Doubt she is any longer. Maybe if you stick around long enough, you can have a go at her too.”
“You’re sick.” Saliva sticks in my throat.
“Consider it a parting gift for your new beau. This guy can tell him you cheated and left. He might as well enjoy a piece before the other guy beats his face in. Looks like he has a temper on him.”
“No, Dillon, that’s you.” As resignation replaces the fear, my fire reignites. The reflective coating on the leash bites into my skin.
“Hm.” He smirks, scratching his chin with the gun. “Maybe it is. I have become a little more… unstable… since you fucked up my entire life.”
I run my tongue over my dry lips. “How did I do that?”
“Everything was going fine. We were getting out of here. I just had to get you out of the state, and you’d stop fighting me about going back home. I don’t know about this Dillon,” he mocks in a high-pitched voice. “Of course, I didn’t know what you had put together before me, and when I showed up alone in California, they took everything.”
“Who took everything?”
“The agency!” he screams.
Ashe snarls and gnashes her teeth, lunging at Dillon. For a split second, I consider letting her attack him.
“Get that fucking thing under control before I put a bullet in its head.”
I jerk the leash, removing all slack.
“Why did the agency take everything?” I ask, steering us back to the conversation and away from the dog. Aiden shifts a step closer again and discreetly pulls the leash from my hand. When I make eye contact, he mouths the word, “Run.”
I shake my head. There are too many possibilities for how Dillon would react.
Thankfully, Dillon doesn’t seem to notice the interaction. He paces in front of us. Leaves and sticks snap beneath his feet.
I remember Dillon working with a temp agency. He was slim on the details, only said they promised low-income housing and a stipend to get us started.
“Because you weren’t with me. It was you they really wanted after all. I promised them a virgin artist, so you can imagine how unimpressed they were when all they got was me.” He thrusts his hands out to his sides before letting them fall limp. The gun dangles in a weak grasp.
Even though I still can’t remember what happened to us in the car, pieces are starting to come together. A temp agency seeking a virgin is, at the very least, a scam and, at worst, a front for trafficking. The bigger reason I threw myself from his car snaps into place. All the wrong turns and broken promises Dillon made. It wasn’t ever real. He dug himself a hole and just keeps digging himself deeper.
“Dillon, what did you do?” My voice is barely a whisper as my heart pounds in my throat.
He stops moving and cocks his head. His eyes are empty. Soulless. “When I told them I knew where you were, they promised to reinstate my advance, and return my things, if I came and got you.”
“No.” Anguish rips the word from my throat.
“First, I had to track you down, which wasn’t too hard with a social media post. The people here were eager to reconnect me with my troubled fiancée.”
Sickly heat coats my veins, making every inch of my skin burn.
He continues moving again, faster as his agitation rises. “That night at the bar I saw you get into that dude’s van with the logo on the side. I knew you wouldn’t come with me, so I went back home to get your mom. Promised her a ten-percent cut of the advance. You should have seen how fast she agreed. That woman would have sold you for her next fix if she thought she could get away with it. It’s impressive you made it to adulthood without becoming a street corner whore turning tricks for your parents’ addiction.”
I tremble so hard my teeth chatter. Jude’s face swirls in my mind. The thought of never seeing one of the smiles he reserves for me again sends a wave of tears to my lash line.
“When that didn’t work, I dropped your mom off at a bus stop and stole the hundred bucks you gave her. I’ve been living in my car, biding my time, but I’m done. My money’s gone. Your time’s up, Frankie. I’m here to take what’s rightfully mine.”
Something brushes against the back of my hand. Aiden pinches the hem of my shirt and shoves the leashes back in my hand.
Because the longer we stand here, the more clear our predicament becomes. Dillon has no intention of letting us go. He’s determined to force me to go with him, and it’s apparent Aiden isn’t willing to stand by and let that happen.
The problem is, Dillon has a weapon, and we don’t. And the only way Aiden will stop him is by sacrificing himself to give me time to run.
That outcome is unacceptable.
Aiden.
Me.
The dogs.
Who would Jude choose to sacrifice if he were here to pick himself?
Nausea churns in my stomach, threatening to leave my breakfast all over our shoes. I bite the inside of my cheek until I taste the familiar metallic tang.
With a sudden tug, the leashes slip from my hand.
Ashe lunges forward with a snarl as the tension releases, and Remy follows. Dillon’s head whips around, a girlish scream in his throat as he’s caught by surprise. His arm swings up, high, as Ashe sinks her teeth into his forearm and Remy bites his leg.
Then the gun goes off.