Hearts on Fire 5: Loving Frankie(30)
Mike was a firefighter and Turbo a police officer. Their jobs were dangerous, and she would worry all the time and be fearful each time they left her. Then she worried about Rye and Nate. People were injured and got killed doing construction every day. Not to mention, all four men could be in danger because of her now. It didn’t seem fair to them. They hardly knew her, yet she was giving them the responsibility of committing to her when she really should keep a distance and let them be safe.
Her heart ached terrible. But I love them. God, I totally, absolutely am in love with them. Why can’t I have a normal life? Why does my life have to be filled with fear, with pain and trepidation of what’s to come next and destroy any happiness I feel?
“Hey, baby, you’re squeezing my hand pretty tight. It’s okay, Mike’s a tough guy. Some bruised or broken ribs aren’t going to keep him down,” Rye told her.
She couldn’t look at him. She would cry. She would break down and tell him she loved them but that she couldn’t stay with them. This couldn’t work out. Not unless Kevin, and Carlotto, too, gave up on her.
Rye brushed her hair from her cheek and kissed her softly. Nate rubbed her hand against his thigh and gave it a squeeze. They were so big and masculine. She felt feminine, cared for and protected with them. But then came the guilty feeling.
I know if I stay and the danger comes then I’ll lose them. How will I live with myself if they’re killed because of me?
* * * *
Rye waited with Frankie as Nate went to check if Mike was okay and if they could see him. Rye’s phone went off. He saw it was Pete, one of Cassidy’s boyfriends.
“Hey, Pete, what’s up?” Rye asked as he wrapped his arm around Frankie. She sat in a chair in the waiting room, legs crossed and foot shaking, appearing nervous. He wasn’t liking the feeling he had. She’d seemed to change the moment Nate had gotten the call from Turbo.
“How is Mike? We heard at the department about the fire. Cassidy was concerned, too.”
“We’re at the hospital now, waiting to see him. Turbo said just maybe some broken ribs and bruising. He needs X-rays.”
“Damn. Well give him our best. Is Frankie there? Can she talk to Cassidy?”
“Sure thing. I’ll put her on.”
Rye looked at Frankie. “It’s Cassidy. She wants to talk to you.”
“Oh, okay.”
He handed the phone to Frankie then watched her walk away toward the window.
Rye kept an eye on her. She was so gorgeous and had an amazing body. Even now in his shirt tied to her side and the short black skirt, she looked hot. But he felt that bit of anxiety, an almost strange sensation as though something had changed. He didn’t know why or what it was, but he would find out.
* * * *
“I’m so glad that you’re okay and that you have your men with you. It was a pretty frightening experience.”
“It sure was, Frankie. Thank God Nate is so hung up on you. Things could have turned out differently,” Cassidy told her.
“I know.”
“Hey, you sound funny. Is everything all right? They weren’t rough with you were they?” Cassidy asked.
“No, of course not.”
“Yes! So you slept with them. I’m so happy for you. They adore you, Frankie.”
Frankie turned to look at Rye watching her. She bit her lower lip and turned.
“Cassidy, I’m kind of freaking out right now.”
“About the whole ménage thing? It’s too late for that. Besides, you belong with them. They care so much for you.”
“My brother and father were police officers. They both died in the line of duty.”
“Oh God, Frankie, I’m so sorry. You’re worried because Mike got hurt on the job?”
“Yes.” She held back the tears that wanted to fall.
“Honey, that’s completely understandable, but you can’t worry about them getting hurt or killed. You should focus on your time together and about the positives. Any of us can die at any moment and without warning. Isn’t it better to have loved them, experienced life with them, than to deny your feelings?”
Frankie thought about that a moment.
“That’s a lot easier said than done. I’m in a panic right now. Things moved fast.”
“Hey, slow it down then. They’ll understand. You have to work tomorrow night, right?”
“Yes, even though Lure and Charlie tried to make me take the night off.”
Cassidy chuckled.
“I’m off for another week. Can’t be sporting this nasty black eye and cheek at the club. Besides, my men want me with them and to clear up a few things.”
“Clear up a few things? Is everything okay?” Frankie asked.
Cassidy chuckled.
“Oh, they’re great. It’s just that the guys feel I need a little discipline and to learn to trust them and not keep secrets. I got the third degree from Pete and Jimmy about not telling them about Keith and the order of protection. Never mind not calling one of them when I was scared.”
“That’s understandable, and I think I get the discipline part.”
“They spanked your ass, too, huh? Go figure,” Cassidy said, and Frankie gasped.
“We’ll talk details in a few days. Go take care of your sexy firefighter.”
Frankie said goodbye then hung up the phone.
“Baby, everything okay?” Rye asked her.
She turned around to look at him, her handsome boyfriend, the one she’d just made love with on the kitchen table at his place.
She handed him his phone. He put it away, and she placed her hands on his chest.
“I’m being a hundred percent honest with you when I say I got a little freaked out earlier.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. He smiled down at her.
“Kind of figured that. Want to talk about why?”
She shook her head. “Not now. I wonder when we can see Mike.”
“Guys, come on,” Nate called to them. He was standing there with Catalina.
“Long time no see, girl,” Catalina teased, and Frankie smiled as Rye held her hand and they followed Catalina. “How’s the shoulder?”
“Good. Just bruised a little.”
“Bruised a lot,” Nate added firmly as he placed a hand on her waist and guided her along with Rye. She loved the feel of both of them touching her at once.
As they rounded the corner, there was Turbo in uniform, talking to a nurse. Frankie felt an instant jealous sensation for the first time. She paused, and Catalina spoke up.
“Hey, Gracy, he’s off limits. Got his and his brothers’ woman right here,” Catalina said, and Gracy looked Frankie over and smiled.
“Nice one, Catalina. But you do know I have three boyfriends. In fact one of them works with Turbo.”
Catalina smiled.
“You got those wild Murphy boys to stay committed? Good for you, girl. Is Mike still in X-ray?” Catalina asked as Turbo approached.
Frankie didn’t hear the rest of the conversation, since Turbo pulled her into his arms then kissed her.
She felt his gun belt wedge against her belly, but she didn’t care. The scent of his cologne, the feel of his strong arms, and the significance of him in uniform aroused her and made her hug him tight.
He released her lips.
“Hey, it’s okay. He’s fine. The chief wanted him to come in for X-rays because he was in pain,” Turbo told her.
He cupped her cheeks and held her gaze. Nate placed his hands on her shoulders from behind.
“Do you know what happened? How he got hurt?”
Turbo glanced to right. “Why don’t I let Mike explain?”
She looked in the same direction and saw him slowly walking toward them with Catalina.
“The stubborn man nearly threw the wheelchair at Gracy,” Catalina said, and Rye chuckled.
“Mike, you’re hurt. If they think you need a wheelchair, you don’t mess around,” she scolded him. Mike raised one eyebrow at her as Catalina opened the door. They walked into the room, and Mike sat down on the bed.
“Now wait here and I’ll get your discharge papers,” Catalina told Mike.
Before she walked out, she placed her hand on Frankie’s arm.
“He’s okay. Just badly bruised ribs, not broken.” She winked before she exited the room.
Rye and Nate walked closer. Nate placed his hand on Mike’s shoulder. “Bad fire, huh?”
Mike looked at Frankie then back at Nate.
“We got everyone out,” Mike said.
“What exactly happened?” Rye asked after he squeezed his brother’s shoulder.
It was all quite overwhelming to watch. The love between them. The camaraderie shared by first responders. Her eyes welled up as she twisted her fingers together.
As Mike explained what happened, she began having that anxious, worried sensation again. He sat on the side of the bed, his legs apart as he told the story about the fire, about the family of six and rescuing the child and grandmother. It was commendable but also frightening.
“Did they wrap your ribs then?” Nate asked, and Mike lifted his shirt.
She saw the bandages. “They’re sure they’re not broken?” she asked, moving closer but not getting too close.
He looked at her. He had soot on his cheeks and neck, and the smell of smoke lingered in the room and especially on him.
He reached out, grabbed the knot of her shirt, and pulled her between his legs. His hands squeezed her ass.