Hearts on Fire 5: Loving Frankie(13)

“Hey, did you get that file from the squad? I just left a message for the investigator, and he said he forwarded it to you this morning,” Buddy asked.

Bryce swallowed hard.

“Yeah, I’ve got it right here. Doesn’t really say much. Same shit we know. Gloria had ties to Gino and Sal Baletti. Not sure we can prove much considering this special investigative team won’t give up any surveillance videos that can help. Looks like we’re going to have to rely on any forensic evidence that was gathered from the crime scene or, if we’re lucky, any eyewitness reports of anyone seeing Gloria with one of the Baletti brothers last week.” He closed up the file and stood up.

“I think we may want to work that angle.”

“I agree. If you’re sure there’s nothing in there that can help, then let’s case the neighborhood where she was seen last. Perhaps someone saw something,” Buddy said, and Bryce nodded in agreement as he put the file into the drawer and pushed the chair under the desk.

“I’ll drive,” he told Buddy.

“Sure thing. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

Not if I can help it.



* * * *



Not only were Nate and Rye at Prestige, but so was Mike. They told her when they first arrived that Turbo was working late. She was surprised at how disappointed she felt. The more they talked to her and talked about regular things, the more she forgot about her fears of getting close to them and she lightened up.

Prestige was very crowded, and as the night went on, she wasn’t able to talk to them as much. She had a moment and walked toward their table, having to squeeze by a group of people. Mike was sitting on the end seat of the table for four with high barstools.

He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer so she could hear what he wanted to say to her.

She tensed a moment, holding on to the table with one hand and on to his shoulder with the other. Mike smelled so good. His cologne was light but appealing and his arm solid steel. His fingers splayed over her hip, and she wondered what they would feel like against her ass. It shocked her to have these thoughts.

“What time should we pick you up on Sunday for Galileo’s?” he asked her, his lips touching her ear as he spoke to her.

She pulled back and gave him a smirk. “I didn’t say yes. Yet.” She pulled back slightly, only for him to pull her close again.

Mike, with his dusting of hair along his face and tattoos peeking out from the long-sleeve shirt he wore, looked so damn sexy.

“Come on, baby. We want to get to know you and talk to you where it’s not so loud and we have your complete attention.” He winked and pulled his bottom lip between his teeth as he gazed over her lips then back up to her eyes.

Little did he know that he and his brothers already had her complete attention. But she was still concerned.

“Listen, I don’t know how long I’ll be staying in Bayline.”

He squinted and pulled her closer, his hand possessively pressed over her hip and ass. She was so turned on by him that she swallowed hard.

“Don’t say that. Come on now. It will be fun, and you never know. We may just grow on you.”

She glanced at Nate and Rye then heard her name and felt the hand on her shoulder.

“Table seven is looking for another round. I’ll put it in, but you need to deliver it, honey,” Cassidy told her and winked.

Frankie pulled away from Mike. “Thanks. I’ll be right there.” She then looked at them. Mike grabbed her hand.

“Say yes.”

She took a deep breath and then released it.

“Fine, yes. But I’ll meet you there.”

They looked at her as though they didn’t like the idea at all.

“I have some things to take care of, and I’ll be out already. Is seven good?”

“Great. We’ll see you there at seven,” Nate told her and looked her over with that intense, hard expression of his that did a number on her body.

Her breasts felt full, her pussy leaked, and she couldn’t help but to wonder what type of lover he would be. When she turned around and left, her cheeks felt red and warm from her sexual thoughts as her brain caught up. Had she just made a huge mistake? Was she setting herself up for more pain? She didn’t know, but she had been lonely and scared for months now. It was time to try and feel normal again. She couldn’t worry about Kevin or Carlotto finding her. She couldn’t.

Frankie grabbed the drink order from the bar and continued her shift.

A while later, at the end of their shift, Cassidy was sitting with her, counting their tips for the night.

“So what was with the Hawkins brothers? Are you finally going to give them a taste of your cookies?”

“A taste of my cookies? Really, Cassidy?” Frankie asked, and Cassidy raised her eyebrows up and down. Frankie started laughing.

“You’re the only person I know who refers to it as cookies. When I heard you say it the other day I wasn’t a hundred percent sure what you meant.”

“Really? You must be very inexperienced with sex. But don’t worry. That will change with four sexy lovers. They’re huge guys. They probably have extra large cocks.”

“Cassidy,” she scolded her and looked around to be sure no one could hear her.

Cassidy chuckled.

“Hey, I’m just teasing you. I know you’re a good girl and don’t fuck around. Hell, if I didn’t know that some asshole hurt you, I’d still think you were a virgin.”

“Jeez, thanks, Cassidy.”

Cassidy chuckled.

She hadn’t told Cassidy about Kevin or her life back in Chicago, just about the fact she’d thought she was in love and her boyfriend cheated on her and was into bad stuff. She got away before it was too late. Frankie wanted Cassidy to know that because she didn’t like Cassidy’s now-ex-boyfriend, Keith. He seemed abusive and capable of hurting Cassidy, both physically and mentally.

“So did you make plans with them or what?” Cassidy asked.

“Kind of. I don’t know. I’m having second thoughts.”

“Well, that is a lot of cock to handle at once, but with practice you’ll be fine.”

“Cassidy, really?” she reprimanded her, and Cassidy leaned back in her chair and looked Frankie over.

“You’re sweet and a nice person. Take some of the advice you’ve given me these past few months and don’t settle. Those guys like you. They legitimately seem to care and want to watch over you. If you’ve never done a ménage, then those four are like hitting the jackpot.”

“I haven’t given the sex much thought actually.”

“What? You’re such a liar.”

“No, Cassidy, I’m not. I’ve really been denying any attraction I’ve felt. I don’t know if I’m ready to get into even a friendship with a man or, in this case, men, never mind a sexual one. I guess I’m being cautious, and I don’t want to get hurt again.”

Cassidy covered Frankie’s hand.

“That old boyfriend of yours really messed you up, huh?”

Frankie chuckled but felt the tears fill her eyes as she held Cassidy’s gaze.

“You have no idea.”

Cassidy gave a sympathetic smile. “Well, that was then, and this is now. Move on with your life and give those men a chance. Since you’ve been hurt so badly before, you’ll know the signs if it isn’t right. Just don’t go fucking them right away.” She smiled then leaned closer.

“Or do fuck them right away. A ménage is hot, and having four huge, bad-ass men taking care of your every need and desire might be the perfect cure to get that old asshole out of your head.”

Frankie chuckled. “And what about you? Are you keeping Keith out of your head or is he still trying to get you back?”

Cassidy got quiet and put her money into her bag.

“He’s persistent, but I’m not biting. Don’t you worry. It will be fine, and he’ll eventually get that it’s over.”

“If you need me, call me. If he keeps it up, I’d tell Charlie and Lure. They’d take care of him.”

“I know they would. I think it will be fine. I haven’t heard from him in a few days. So what are you going to wear tomorrow to Galileo’s?”

“Not a clue. Probably a dress.”

“Something sexy yet classy, just like you. Remember to make them work for your cookies.” She winked as she stood up.

Frankie chuckled.





Chapter 6




“What if she doesn’t show up?” Nate asked as he and his brothers stood outside of Galileo’s waiting for Frankie to arrive.

She was five minutes late. They were all dressed nicely in button-down shirts and dress pants, looking their best. Nate couldn’t believe his brothers were so into this woman and they knew nothing about her. He was skeptical. She had secrets, and that wasn’t a good thing. But he was attracted to her, too.

Nate watched other couples, including some ménage groups, coming and going from the restaurant.

“Look there’s the bus,” Mike said as a local transportation bus stopped at the corner among the many restaurants and shopping boutiques. Treasure Town was filled with them.

Sure enough, Nate spotted Frankie right away, and so did his brothers.

Mike whistled low.

“Holy shit, I think I’m having chest pains,” Rye admitted, and Turbo chuckled.