There she was, in her usual spot behind the bar. She looked lovely tonight in her lavender shirt that hugged her luscious breasts. He tucked into his dark corner to watch her work and a smile split his face. She was wearing his gift. Now he knew how to get her to do his bidding. Threaten her precious lion and she'd dowhateverhe wanted her to do.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Yaeger
He sat there seething. How dare the bastard use him in such a way to control Frankie? And for Frankie to allow it boggled his mind. He got that she was afraid of something happening to him, but it wasn't going to happen. Not again. The asshole had gotten lucky. He wouldn't get the drop on him again. Especially with Knox around.
He ate because he needed to, but he barely tasted his food he was so distracted. By the time Frankie's break rolled around he was chomping at the proverbial bit.
"I hate that you're letting that bastard control you like this, darlin'," he said once she joined him. "Just hear me out. Right now it's just jewelry but who's to say he won't demand something else from you, something you won't like or want to do but will feel forced to?" He watched as she thought about what he said.
"Gods, you're right. I hadn't thought about it that way. Wearing this sends the wrong signal, it tells him I'll do anything he wants," she replied with a shudder.
He watched her reach up and take the choker off. "That's my girl," he said.
"That feels so much better. It felt like I had a collar on. If I'm going to have something like that on, I'd rather it be from you."
"That can be arranged, darlin'," he growled. He saw her shiver. "Something tells me you like the sound of that."
"Oh yes," she breathed.
"Good to know."
"I hate that my break is so short. I don't want to go back to work, I'd rather stay here talking to you, but I have to get back," Frankie said.
"Don't worry, darlin', I'm not going anywhere until you're ready to go home," he told her.
"I know. See you in a few hours," she said as she got up and left him. He watched her go before he focused on his surroundings. He was trying to see if anyone would react to her taking the choker off.
By the time her shift was over he was ready to get out of there. He hadn't noticed anyone acting unusual after she removed the choker, much to his chagrin, which put them back at square one on finding her stalker.
"Ready to go, darlin'?" he asked her once she was finished.
"Just let me grab my coat," she replied. Sumi was right with her as she went to get it and then they were ready to leave.
He walked her out to her car and stopped her before she could get in. "I'll miss having you in my arms tonight," he said, pulling her close.
"I'll miss being there," she admitted.
"We're going to have to do something about this soon," he told her. He leaned in and kissed her. "Drive safe. I'll follow to make sure you make it home okay."
"I'd expect nothing less," she replied.
"Cheeky woman," he growled and swatted her ass playfully. "Get in the car before Sumi freezes. We'll be right behind you." He reluctantly left her side and went to his truck so he could follow her home.
"You've got it bad for her," Knox said.
"Don't I know it. I'm head over heels for that woman. It scares the shit out of me."
"Scares you? Why?"
"Because she has the power to break me."
"I can see why that would be scary."
They followed Frankie and Sumi and waited until they were both inside the house before heading back to Yaeger's cabin. Once there they had a nightcap then settled in for the night.
His bed felt empty without Frankie there and he had a hard time falling asleep. All he kept thinking about was how much he wished she was in his arms. Yeah, he definitely had it bad for her.
