Franklin nodded and watched as one of the men grabbed the guy's arm.A stillness fell over him, and he got to his feet without protest.Franklin had to fight himself not to intercept when they walked in formation toward the door.
Something was wrong.
Right before they stepped outside, the man looked over his shoulder and met Franklin's gaze.The plea in his eyes made Franklin take a step forward.What the hell?
His heart was beating fast, and tingling rushed over his skin.Next to him, Elvin shrugged again before walking toward the bar without another word.
The man was gone, and pain spread in Franklin's soul.
* * * *
Chapter 2
June
Franklin snarled at the wall in the office.He didn't know what was wrong with him.He'd always been calm, controlled, and clear-headed, but more often than not lately, he lost his temper.Every question made him want to bite the head off the person who'd asked it.
He feared he was going insane.
"Boss?"
He whirled around, not having heard Elvin approaching.It was another thing.He was distracted.All the time.Maybe there was something wrong with his brain.
"Yes?"He spoke through gritted teeth, and Elvin held up his palms in a placating manner.
"Christmas sweater psycho is back."
Franklin's feet were moving toward the door before his brain could follow.He forced himself to stop next to Elvin."Problem?"
"Nah, just figured you might want to know."
He did.He didn't know why, but he did want to know.
When he glanced at Elvin, he couldn't read his expression.
They walked through the corridor together, entering the serving area next to the bar.It was a weekday evening, so only a few people were enjoying an after-work beer.
The man occupied the same table as last time.He looked tired.More tired than he had back then.The sweater he wore today was red with a fit, tattooed Santa in a muscle shirt and the text:Big Nick Energywritten in an arch above.
Franklin snorted, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.The sensation was so foreign, he feared his body had forgotten how to show amusement.
Elvin was studying him with a crease between his brows.Franklin ignored him and focused on the man again, only to realize he was speaking to the empty air next to him.
Fuck.
"He was out of breath when he came in, as if he'd been running."
Running.In June.In a Christmas sweater."Did he say anything?"
"Chann served him."
Franklin gave a short nod and walked between the tables in the direction of the man.
"I tried.You think I enjoy being locked up any more than you do?"The man sounded exhausted, and Franklin slowed his steps, hoping against hope he was on the phone and not talking to thin air.Heat washed through him, and his entire body buzzed with the need to touch the man, but he slowed his steps before he got too close.
"Evening."
The man startled and almost knocked his drink over.He managed to catch it in time and looked up at Franklin with wide eyes."Sorry."
