Trials and Tiaras (Untouchable #7) - Heather Long Page 0,94
that bitch had been doing. We, however, could argue about it another time. “I see loneliness and bad choices, but I don’t see regret.”
“Because their bad choices led to us,” Frankie whispered, and I squeezed her.
“Exactly.”
“You’re not a bad choice, Archie.”
“Right back atcha, babe.”
She sighed again. “What if we find out my father is some epic douche?”
“Well, since I have some experience there, we’ll just put a pin in that and I’ll share Jeremy and Grandpa with you.”
A real laugh slipped out of her, and I smiled. We stood there for a little while, probably long enough to make the Graysons nervous, but they didn’t come out and they didn’t ask. Maybe they were giving her the time she needed.
Good.
Finally, we climbed in the car and she looked so tired, I had to fight the urge to hit something. Back to the hotel and the guys, we’d look after her. My phone buzzed as I started the car, and I pulled it out to check to see if the guys were checking in.
It was Grandpa.
Grandpa: It’s done. Eddie’s out. The board just informed him. Stay out of sight for a few days, Sprout. He’s out for blood.
I snorted.
Too bad. The old man should have made better choices.
Me: We’re away for the rest of the week, not due back until Sunday.
Grandpa: Take care of your girl, Sprout. Things might be bumpy, but I’ll shield you both.
I stared at the message and then over at Frankie before I turned the phone to show her. “See,” I said. “Not alone.”
Her smile warmed her whole expression. “I love you.”
My heart fisted just like it did every single time she said it. That night in the hotel when she’d told me that on my birthday, it had left me wildly elated. Seriously, I’d always known she cared. She’d shown it with every act, every smile, every daring chance she took. But it wasn’t the same as hearing it.
“Best thing I’ve heard all day,” I answered. “Love you more.”
“Ha,” she said with a real laugh.
“What?” I challenged as I put the car into gear. “Don’t think I love you more?”
“No,” she told me as she tugged the knit cap over her hair. The sun was still out, but I’d put up the roof because it had gotten colder. “I think you love me best. I think you all do.”
Well all right then, I wasn’t going to argue with her on that point.
“Then let’s get back to the hotel where we can do that, shall we?” I gave her a playful leer. “Still sore?”
This time, the laughter rippling out of her held just a little bit of a scandalized note.
“’Cause…” I said, pressing my luck, because why not? “I’m sure there’s something we could do about that, and I would love a little Frankie dessert…”
That earned me more laughter.
“Hmm, that sounds like you’re covering me in chocolate syrup and whip cream.”
Well, that was an idea. “Never say never,” I told her. “I bet your nipples would be great under a little whip cream.”
The flush of pink sweeping up her face and the sharp indrawn breath told me I was on the right track.
“Shall I tell you all the things I could eat off of you before I ate you out?”
Yeah, I didn’t wait for her to answer, I just went there.
I might have been hard as a stone by the time we got back to the hotel, but Frankie wasn’t pale or shaky anymore. At least not from shock or worry.
And how sore was too sore? I bet we could figure that out if we were real, careful like.
Chapter Twenty
We’ll Figure It Out
Ian
After meeting her grandparents, Frankie had been quiet, and while not quite withdrawn, there was no missing how lost in thought she’d been. More than once, she’d retreated to call Rachel and talk. When Archie proposed we divert and drive to Cambridge, I took all of five minutes to agree with him. One thing Archie and I had both been doing more over the last few weeks, we discussed options before either of us made a move.
It helped.
I wanted to look after her and so did he. We didn’t always rely on the same methods. A trip to Harvard wouldn’t even have been on my list of possibilities, but he pulled up directions and a map. It was roughly two hours north of us.
“If I change our flight plans, we can fly out of Boston. And we’ll get her up there and take a good