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“Take me to them. Take me to my family.”
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean you can’t? Yes, you can!”
“Whoever killed them, killed my family, too. They wanted us all gone, Frankie. Wiped out. Don’t you see? They thought we were there. They think we’re dead.”
“I don’t care. They can take me, too. What do I have to live for now?”
“Frankie,”
“No! I don’t want to hear it. Take me home, Shane, or I will find a way home myself.”
“No, I’m not leading you to slaughter. I made a promise.”
“A promise?” She laughed bitterly, interrupting him. “Who did you make this promise to?”
“My mother.”
The conversation from earlier replayed in her mind. “On your mother’s grave… Shane, tell me you didn’t…”
“I did. The last texts from my family included them telling me to find and protect you. I stood over my parents’ dead bodies and swore to do just that.”
“You shouldn’t have. You had no right! I can take care of myself. I don’t belong to you.”
“I gave my word, Francesca.”
“You gave your word under horrific circumstances. I don’t want your protection. I want to go to my family. I don’t believe this is true. This can’t be.”
“I saw it with my own eyes. I was there. It’s true, sweetheart.”
“I want to see.”
“No, we can’t go back now. When it’s safe, I’ll take you back for proper goodbyes.”
“Proper goodbyes? How do you say proper goodbyes to…” Her words caught in her throat. Closing her eyes, she thought about the brunch. Her great-aunt handing her the card, her three-year-old cousin spinning in her beautiful dress, so happy. Her sisters flirting with the O’Brien boys. The laughter and joy in the air. It was only a few hours before. How could that turn into...
Feeling lightheaded, Frankie rubbed her forehead, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I need some water.” Her heartbeat was pounding in her ears, heat rising in her body.
This wasn’t true.
It wasn’t.
It couldn’t be.
Water.
She needed water.
She was going to pass out.
“Sit down, and I’ll get you a glass,” Shane ordered.
Ignoring him, quite capable of getting her own glass of water, she walked toward the door, stopped by the tight grasp on her upper arm. He yanked her backward into the strong wall of muscle that was Shane.
“Damnit. If you ignore me one more time,” he said, turning her to face him.
“You’ll what?” The words hissed from her lips.
