CHAPTER 10
FRANCIS
Francis glanced at his watch. It was late, and he knew that Tracy wasn't going to be happy to see him, especially since she didn't even want to see him at a reasonable hour of the day. The woman had been avoiding him for months. Had she not screamed his name more than once, the one time he’d been inside her, and had he not seen the evidence of her eruption coating his cock, he would have assumed that he had not pleased her.
Francis thought of Tracy every single day, but he had no intention of forcing himself on her. But the days of him keeping his distance was over. Luca told him that she was carrying his child and she was weighing her options. What fucking options did she have? To kill his bambino? That was no option. Regardless of the time, he would have words with her. The discussion couldn’t wait. He’d be leaving for Belfast in a matter of hours, and he didn't trust that Tracy wouldn’t make the horrible decision to end her pregnancy before he returned.
Paolo pulled in front of Tracy’s house. Francis got out. He wanted to tell Paolo to stay in the automobile, but he knew that he wouldn't. Paolo, handpicked by Luca, was Francis’ enforcer/bodyguard, and he took his job very seriously. Of course, he could give the order, but it wasn't wise to discourage a man from doing a job that he was paid to do. So Francis said nothing as he headed up the walkway to Tracy’s porch. When he climbed the stairs, he noticed that Tracy’s front door was open. But it was Tracy’s scream that caused him to panic.
Francis rushed into her living room and looked around. Since he’d never been inside of Tracy’s house, he wasn't familiar with the layout, so he listened. A loud bang had Francis running down a hallway. What he saw sent him into a murderous rage. Tracy was being attacked. A man was on top of her with his hands around her throat. Francis saw red as he wrapped an arm around her attacker’s neck and squeezed as a snake would its prey. The man released Tammy’s neck and clawed at Francis’ arms. Paolo moved forward to assist.
“No!” Francis shouted. “Portarla fuori di Oui!”
Paolo did as commanded. He maneuvered around Francis, secured Tracy’s robe, and carried her outside.
Francis removed his arm from the attacker’s neck and slammed him against the wall. When he saw his face, Francis recognized him immediately. It was the pussy that he’d sent away.
“You would allow a man to shoo you away as if you were a fly, but you would attack a defenseless woman?” Francis seethed.
As Francis assessed the injuries to the man’s eyes, he realized that Tracy wasn't all that defenseless. But Francis thought about the blood and bruises on Tracy’s face, and he couldn't contain his fury. He punched the man with such force that his head bounced off of the wall. When he fell to the floor, Francis straddled him and punched him over and over again, stopping only when fatigue set in.
Francis stood, ignoring the man as he uselessly pled for his life. He walked around until he found Tracy’s kitchen. He grabbed a water glass from her cabinet, broke it against the refrigerator, and returned to the hall. The would-be rapist was on all fours, attempting to crawl to safety. But, from Francis, there was no safety. He kicked him in his ass, forcing him to fall on his face. Francis stood over the man and stomped him in the back of the head until he ceased to move. Since his pants were already undone, Francis yanked them down further. He got down on his knees and, using his forearm, he pinned him to the floor.
“Since you're good with rape, I’m going to give it to you how you like it,” Francis whispered near his ear before shoving the broken glass up Will’s ass.
The man squealed like a pig and cried like a woman. His body began to convulse, and Francis could tell that he was close to passing out. But he had not suffered enough for what he had done to his woman. Francis pulled the bloody glass from his ass only to shove it back in. He was sure the man’s screams could be heard outside. Thankfully, it was late. Most should have been asleep. Francis stood over the crying, bloody, mess of a man, pulled out his weapon, and ended his existence.
After holstering his weapon, Francis stared down at the dead, wondering if he was the reason that he’d snapped. Had the coward taken out his anger at him on his woman? He walked into the kitchen, grabbed the dish detergent, and washed his bloody hands. He dried them with a dishtowel and tossed it on the counter. He dug his phone out of his pocket. It was Luca that he called.
“Francis?”
Luca’s voice was breathless. Maybe Francis had interrupted their lovemaking.
“Si. I need to speak with Tammy.”
“Francis, it’s the middle of the night.”
“Now, Luca,” Francis said in a calm, but impatient tone.
There was a brief pause before Luca responded.
“Si. Solo un secondo.”
“Francis? What’s wrong?” Tammy asked, equally breathless.
Francis could hear panic rising in her voice.
“Which is the best hospital in Chicago?”
“I’m not sure. There’s Northwestern. They have a trauma center. Why? Are you okay?”
Francis sensed her anxiety.
“Gather the women and get them to this Northwestern. Tracy will need you. She has been attacked.”
Tammy’s breath hitched. “Oh my God. Okay. Um…oh, God,” she rambled.
“Tammy, stay calm. You must keep your head. Tracy will be fine. Call the women.”
