Page 12 of His For The Keeping

That had taken entirely too long. It wouldn’t be long before the news of what happened broke. He needed to get Frankie away from here and somewhere safe before whoever did this realized they hadn’t killed off both families in their entirety.

“No, this way. My truck’s over here.” Guiding her elbow to turn her in the direction behind the east gate, away from the house, he hurried their pace.

“Wait, I can’t go anywhere looking like this.” She gestured down at her jeans and dirty shirt.

“We’ll get you showered and changed when we get somewhere safe.”

“Safe?”

“I’ll tell you everything you need to know, I promise. For now, I just need you to trust me.”

“It’s hard to trust someone you don’t know.”

“Your father trusted my family, or he would never have agreed to allow your oldest sister to marry my brother.”

“There were many reasons for that,” Frankie said cryptically.

“I know.” He nodded. He was aware his brother had been going to be a father, and the wedding was rushed in part because of that. He also knew they were a love match, and the two families wouldn’t have agreed to a marriage, baby or not, if it hadn’t benefitted both of them.

“Yes, well, my dad is a good judge of character. That’s why he’s been in charge as long as he has.”

“My dad as well. It said a lot to me that he liked your father.”

“Well, I don’t have to change, but I’d like to get my wallet and cell phone.”

“No.”

“No?” Stopping in her tracks, she pulled at Shane’s arm.

“Shane, I’ll go with you, but this is just ridiculous.”

“I don’t have time to fight you on every little thing right now, Francesca. You don’t need your phone or wallet. Once we’re safe, I’ll tell you why we have to leave and what’s going on. For now, we have to go.”

“And if I refuse?”

“I will flip you over my shoulder and carry you out of here. I made a promise that I would keep you safe, and I mean to see it through.”

Surrendering again to what Shane could only assume was the desire to run, fight, or argue, she walked with him to his truck.

“A beat-up pickup truck?” Frankie looked at him curiously. “I would have taken you for something flashier, like your bother.”

“It’s inconspicuous. Plus, Felicity was my first ride. Every time I come home, I take her out.”

“What is up with the O’Brien boys naming their vehicles?”

“She purrs like a kitten. Well, once I have her warmed up and ready to go. As she’s gotten older, she takes longer to get warmed up, but I’m a patient man and do what I need to.” Shane noticed the blush rising prettily to her cheeks and realized what he’d said could be interpreted as a sexual innuendo. She couldn’t be thatinnocent. After all, she was a Lombardo. The Lombardo girls were known for a lot of things, but their innocence and virtue were not among them.

Opening the door for her, Shane watched as she tried to lift herself into the truck. Putting his hands under her perfectly heart-shaped buttocks, he lifted her up into the cab. She thanked him, her blush deepening.

At least she has good manners.

They couldn’t afford to go to his house. He didn’t know who’d done this and wasn’t sure if they’d be watching their houses, which was why he wanted Frankie away from her house as soon as possible. Thinking quickly, he realized he was only a few hours outside Tacoma.

First Special Forces Group was stationed out of Fort Lewis. He had several buddies in 1stGroup, including his longtime friend, Brad. Buckling in, he hit the road, heading straight for the highway.

“Siri, call Brad Matthew.”

“Who is Brad Matthew?” Frankie asked.

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