Page 9 of The Claiming

I’m curious to meet the famous Frankie, so I nod. “Sure, I could use a coffee, anyway.”

* * *

As we head outside,I’m surprised when she links her arm in mine. I don’t usually do this shit, but somehow it’s as natural as breathing with Siri. She has an open friendliness that is contagious, and I shrug down my need to pull away. This is a new beginning and I must embrace change while I work out if I like it or not.

As we walk, she primes me on what to expect.

“Frankie Majerio is an enigma, Cass. He is the eldest of four siblings and had a hard beginning.”

“In what way?” I’m curious, especially when she appears to think better of it and changes the subject.

“Oh, nothing of interest. It explains why he’s so introverted, I guess. It’s as if an old wise soul inhabits his body and he possesses an air of mystery that sets him aside from most others.”

“He sounds interesting.”

“That’s not a word I would use to describe him.”

She laughs softly. “You know, he is my cousin in a non family kind of way, but I don’t know that much about him. Not really.”

“Perhaps he likes it that way.”

“I guess. It’s probably a good thing because when you’re a guy in our family, being the strong, silent type is the best option.”

Before I can ask what she means, we reach the main building where the coffee shop is situated and as we push through the students who have already decided that this is their spiritual home, she raises her hand to wave to a guy sitting at a table by the window.

“There he is.”

As my eyes connect with the guy watching our approach, my heart rate spikes because with the air of the devil himself beckoning us into hell, is the one from the pool.

* * *

We reachthe table and my mouth dries when he casts that hooded gaze the length of me, recognition flashing in his dark turbulent eyes, causing a hot flush to spread through my body.

I don’t react. I’m good at that and merely throw my own bored gaze in his direction with a perfunctory nod.

“Frankie.” Siri sighs with resignation.

He smiles briefly. “Siri and–”

He flicks his gaze toward me and Siri adds, “My roomie, Cassie. I brought her as a witness to the crap you’re about to dish out.”

His eyes flash with amusement as she drops into the seat opposite, pulling me down beside her, anchoring me to her side.

I’m surprised to find two coffees in Styrofoam cups waiting for us, and Siri raises her eyes. “Two?”

He shrugs. “I figured you wouldn’t come alone.”

I’m shocked and nod my respect because that has impressed me more than anything.

“Sheesh, he knows me so well.”

Siri groans as she raises the cup to her lips and sighs as she takes a sip.

“Mocha latte, my favorite. What did he get you, Cass?”

I do the same, his dark gaze fixed on my lips as I take a sip, nodding my appreciation at the cinnamon latte that is also my favorite. I raise my eyes to stare into two orbs of destruction and whisper, “Thank you. Coincidentally, this is my favorite, too.”

I turn to Siri. “Cinnamon latte.”

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