“You’re never going to get what you want,” Reese said to Frankie. “I’m not going to let you hurt either of them.”
David’s hands curled into Reese’s coat, his heart breaking. He tried to pull Reese back,away¸but the damn man didn’t budge.
“I don’t know what happened between you and Matilda,” Reese continued, “but this isn’t going to solve or change anything.”
“She touched me,” Frankie said in a hoarse whisper.
Reese cocked his head. “You were lovers. That’s often how that works.”
A movement in the kitchen door behind Frankie caught David’s eye. He’d completely forgotten about Chaz.
Chaz, who appeared to be hefting a large…meat tenderizer?
“She tied me up! Shesucked my toes!” Frankie cried, distraught.
A snort escaped Reese before he clapped his hand over his mouth.
Mati’s forehead thumped against David’s back. “Oh my god,” she whispered.
David’s head cleared for the first time since Frankie had pulled the gun, Frankie’s ridiculous announcement more effective than a slap to David’s face.
All this was happening because she sucked his toes?
Chaz crept up behind Frankie and stared at David. David’s heart pounded in his ribs and sweat rolled down his back. He shook his head no, once, slowly. Frankie’s finger was on the trigger.
Chaz nodded but still lifted the meat tenderizer, his weight shifting on a loose floorboard.
“Frankie!” Reese barked, making everyone jump and successfully grabbing Frankie’s full attention. “I understand that you’re upset, but she would never do anything without your express consent. We all know that.”
Frankie looked confused and alarmed. His gaze swung between Reese and David before he leaned to the side to look for Mati hidden behind them.
The gun wavered off Reese and David shoved him in the opposite direction with all his might.
“Now!”
There was a sickeningthunkand Frankie dropped like a stone.
By some miracle, the gun didn’t go off. David kicked it away from Frankie and under a table while everyone started talking at once. Hands pulled at him until the three of them were in a clutch in the middle of the living room with Frankie at their feet.
“Someone call the police and tell them we need an ambulance,” Chaz said, still hovering over Frankie with his impromptu weapon. When no one moved, he glared at Stephen and barked, “Do it!”
Stephen ran toward the kitchen.
David dragged Mati and Reese toward the front hall. “Can I speak to you two in the dining room for a minute?” As soon as they were alone, he shook Reese. “Why did you do that? I’m supposed to protectyou.”
Reese touched his fingertips to David’s face. “I did it because I love you. I love you both. I couldn’t let anything happen to you.”
“But…” David stammered, his heart filled with a joy so huge it left him speechless.
“I love you, too,” Mati added. “In case you missed that earlier.”
“I didn’t miss it. But I live in Boston,” David croaked, some part of his stubborn brain unable to believe any of this was possible. His heart, however, was all in.
“Turns out that doesn’t prevent people from falling in love with you,” Reese said.
David knew that all too well. He gathered them closer, pressing his face to Reese’s shoulder and clinching his arm tight around Mati. “I love you, too. Both of you. What are we going to do?”
“We’re hiring, if that helps?” Mikey called from the living room.
