“What kind of information?”
She took a deep breath and slowly released it. She thought about the meetings she’d sat in on and how, at first, she hadn’t understood what Kevin and his buddies were talking about, and then how it all made sense. She’d written down names and phone numbers, locations, and keywords she thought might be code for something when she’d found out Kevin had been cheating on her. Could they mean nothing? She wasn’t sure, but her gut told her there was information there. Other men were involved in the drug operation and distribution. Other cops, too. It was why she had feared going to anyone for help in the Chicago PD.
“Maybe names, locations that could help a task force bring down more individuals connected to Carlotto’s operation. Maybe Carlotto isn’t even the largest fish for you to catch, Agent. But I guess whether you get that information or not depends on how you treat my heroes. Now if you’ll excuse me, recovering from a concussion, a bullet wound, an assault, and nearly drowning is taking its toll on me. I need to rest now.”
He nodded and glanced at the men and the other detectives.
“You take care of yourself, Francesca. I’ll be in touch.”
“I look forward to it,” she said, and then they all walked out of the room except for her men, Jake, and Buddy.
“She’s a keeper. Don’t fuck this up with her,” Jake said, and Buddy chuckled.
Jake and Buddy walked closer.
“You rest and don’t worry about those agents. They’re more scared of you right now than you realize.” Jake winked, and then he and Buddy exited the room.
Frankie closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and released it. She felt her eyes well up with tears, and then she felt Nate’s hand against her cheek.
She opened her eyes, and he stared at her with such an expression of love that she felt the tear roll down her cheek.
“Are you a spy?” he asked her very seriously.
“What?” she replied in shock and confusion. She heard the others chuckle as they moved closer.
“You just manipulated three federal agents, ate them up, and spit them out like a pro.”
“I was scared out of my mind,” she admitted.
Rye clasped her hand and squeezed it. “You were incredible.”
“Definitely made for us Hawkins men,” Mike added.
“I don’t know. I think she needs a little discipline,” Turbo added, and when she locked gazes with him, he winked as he gave her a smile.
“I think I need aspirin.”
“We’ve got plenty of that at our place,” Nate added.
“Your place? But I—”
He covered her lips with his finger gently so as not to hurt her bruises.
“Baby, we love you, want to marry you, raise a family with you, and live in Treasure Town with you for the rest of our lives. Now how the hell are we going to do that if you’re not living with us and making love to us in our bed every night?”
The tears rolled down her cheeks, and she sniffled.
“You love me and want all those things with me?”
“Sure do, sweetness. You need looking after, by all of us,” Mike added.
She knew he felt responsible for her abduction, despite how it all happened.
“I’m going to go see about getting you released. We can take a hell of a lot better care of you at home,” Turbo told her.
“I love you guys, too. I want all those things. A family, your love, and to wake up with you every morning and to go to bed with you every night.”
“Then you’ll move in right away?” Rye asked her.
She looked at Turbo.
“Deputy, use some of that sexy charm and powerful authority to get me out of here. I have the feeling that the four of you can definitely make me feel a lot better in your bed at home.”
“Damn, you’ll be out within the hour. I guarantee it, honey. You just get yourself ready for loving.” Turbo headed out the door, and the others smiled.
“You know you have to rest. They’ll be no making love for at least a few days,” Nate told her and ran his thumb along her lower lip.
“Oh, I think it will be a lot sooner. I trust you guys will take really good care of me.”
“Baby, you have no idea,” Rye said as he rubbed his hands together.
“Just you wait,” Mike said and slowly leaned forward and gently kissed her lip.
She closed her eyes and smiled, the pain in her head a light buzz as the love of her men destroyed any feelings of pain and replaced them with happiness.
She’d never thought for a moment when she came to the area that she would ever fit in or be able to become part of a place like Treasure Town. Rye, Nate, Turbo, and Mike had set her heart on fire and made her see that true love did exist and that happiness could be found with the right people at the right time. She was starting over again, not alone, not in fear, and not on the run, but in a place filled with first responders, just like her father and brother had been. She’d found her future, in the arms of four men she would love and cherish for the rest of their lives.
THE END