AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Frankie?” The brick wall of a man kneels before me. “Where are your clothes?”
I can’t bring myself to say the words he wants to hear. The answer to the question he’s been asking since he walked into the emergency room:What happened?
“Do you think I can take a bath instead?” I give him the only words I can muster.
His fingers rub the fabric of the gown covering my knee as he plaintively searches my face. “Sure.” His fingers trail up my arm as he stands and turns to the bathroom. “Let me get it started.”
He walks with the weight of the world on his shoulders. The burden impacts each step as he forges forward. The air is thicker around him—visceral and textured. I can nearly make out the waves of glimmering atmosphere as he pushes through the debris of his past, our tortured connection, and the knowledge that his best friend betrayed me in the worst way possible.
I let out a breath and relax into the chair, closing my eyes. I thought for sure he’d push for answers, but for now, he seems content to let me be. This side of Gabriel is hard to comprehend. He’s always been a bit of a paradox. He’s gruff, but friendly and loyal to his friends. He served his country in the army as a Special Forces medic—a healer, a caretaker, a first responder. He’s highly trained and as tough as they come. Now he’s an MMA fighter who inflicts pain for a living, for sport. His asshole flag flies high, especially when I’m around.
I’m thankful for the white flag that seems to be flying currently. I doubt the reprieve will last.
Though willpower and self-deprivation are my strong suits, it took everything I had to leave Frankie standing in my bathroom, looking soft and vulnerable. She needs help bathing. I know it. She knows it. But it’s not a line I’m willing to cross or push, especially without knowing what happened with Austin.
Did he force himself on her? Was she left naked and hurt, andthat’swhy she doesn’t have any clothes? The hospital said she didn’t have any personal effects. They didn’t elaborate, and I was too focused on getting her home before her pain meds wore off to question them.
My mind reels with darker and darker thoughts of all the possibilities of how she ended up at the ER. I leave the food warming on the stove, grab my phone and pace the entryway leading to the stairs, listening for any signs she’s in distress. I left the bedroom door open, hoping I could hear her call if she needs me.
Donovan picks up on the first ring. “Did you get any sleep?”
“No.” I run my fingers through my hair, noting I need a shower too. It’s early, not even seven yet. We’ve only been home a few hours. I knew he’d be up, even though it’s Saturday and he’s off work.
Behind his sigh I hear the leather of his couch give as he settles in. “I figured as much. How is she?”
“Hurting. I’m making food so she can take her meds.”
“Awful nice of you.”
“Not nice. Necessary.”
“If you say so.” He’s trying to goad me. Get me to admit things I have no intention of admitting to myself, much less him.
“Why doesn’t she have any clothes?” My eyes draw up to the top of the stairs. I’d rather she not overhear our conversation, but I choose to stay where I am instead of seeking privacy.
“She hasn’t told you what happened, then?”
“No. She ignores my questions. I don’t want to push. She’s been through enough.” The idea of not knowing doesn’t sit well with me. I have to wait for her to be ready, though.
“Be patient. She needs you right now. That should be all you need to know.”
“Should it?” The edge of my frustration clips my words. But he’s right. She doesn’t have any family. She only has Austin, and, well, he’s proved he’s not to be trusted. Cap and the guys love her like family, but none of them would dare think to cross me on being the one to see to her now, especially after what Austin pulled.
“Would you want to hurt Austin any more than you do now if you knew the worst happened?”
“No.”
“Would you want to hurt him any less if you knew nothing happened, and it was an accident?”
“No. Fuck. She’s his girl. Heletthis happen to her. He left when he should be the one by her side. Whether he meant to hurt her or not, he did when he didn’t protect her.”
“Exactly. The details you’re seeking aren’t pertinent to how you feel about Austin. Or your feelings for Frankie, I imagine.”
“I need to know so I can help her.” So I don’t hurt her in the same way.
“You’d care for her differently if you knew he didn’t mean to hurt her?”
“Fuck. Okay, I get your point,DoctorHarris.”
