Chapter Five
Frankie
I’m trying to process everything that just happened.
The Kings didn’t kill my father.
They’re fighting human traffickers.
And I just agreed to help them.
My brain feels like it’s swimming through molasses, struggling to keep up. I glance at the clock on the wall.
2:17 a.m.
God, no wonder I’m dead on my feet. I’ve been up for... I mentally count back. Almost forty-eight hours straight. My sleep schedule has been nonexistent since Dad disappeared, working nonstop to drain Bane’s accounts without getting caught, and the emotional rollercoaster of the last few hours. I feel like I’ve got nothing left. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
But I need to keep going, to get started helping Cyber. Those traffickers are out there right now, hunting women like me. Women like Journey’s sister. The horrors that are out there?—
I cover my mouth and yawn. “I just need some coffee,” I mumble, rubbing my eyes beneath my glasses.
Bane’s arm tightens around my waist as he stands, lifting me with him before setting me on my feet. The sudden movement makes my head spin, and I look up at him questioningly.
“Come on,” he says, jerking his head toward the door.
I hurry after him, my legs still feeling wobbly. “Where are we going?”
His tired eyes flick to mine. “To get some fucking sleep. I’m beat.”
Right. Sleep. Sleep’s a good idea. I’ll catch a quick catnap, then help the cute tech guy find the bad guys. That’s a solid plan.
Following him into a big open room in the main part of the clubhouse, I glance around. It’s a large open space with a bar along one wall, pool tables, and mismatched couches. A few bikers are still hanging around despite the late hour, drinking and talking in low voices.
My eyes catch on a beautiful brunette with bedroom eyes who’s watching Bane like he’s her next meal. When she notices me trailing behind him, her expression darkens. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under.
“Is that your girlfriend or something?” My eyes go to hers as we pass. “Because she doesn’t look very happy with you.”
“Who?” he looks over his shoulder, following my gaze, and scoffs. “She can get the fuck over it. And no, she ain’t my girlfriend.” He pushes open the back door. “I ain’t handin’ my balls to any woman. Fuck that.”
My nose wrinkles in disgust. “You really are an asshole.”
“You have no idea.” He opens the door wider and motions for me to go ahead of him.
“Well, aren’t you chivalrous?” I roll my eyes and step out into the cool Florida night air. The smell of sand and salt blows across my face in the breeze, and my eyes close.
God, I’ll never get tired of that smell.
“C’mon.” He grabs my arm and tugs me beside him.
“Hey!” My eyes fly open and drop to the tattooed mit wrapped around my bicep. “You don’t have to keep pulling on me, ya know.” I try to pull my arm free, but it’s pointless. He ain’t letting go. “I said I’d help find whoever these people are. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You tried to take my head off with a bat. Excuse me if I don’t trust you not to run away, Troublemaker.”
Throwing my head back, I laugh out loud. He has no clue. I was gonna beat the living crap outta him. I mean... stranger danger and alla’ that, right?
“You had it coming,” I finally get out around the giggles.
He grunts.
