Page 101 of Deadly Lineage
“Rest up, honey,” Momma said. “We’re not going anywhere.”
I thought I smiled. I hoped I smiled. Regardless, I remembered whispering, “Love you, Momma. You too, Pops.”
They probably said it back to me. If they didn’t, I would’ve happily imagined hearing it.
When I woke again, Momma and Pops were gone but Franklin was there. He’d pulled a chair up close to my bed, his feet propped on the foot of my mattress and his head tilted back, mouth open and soft, snores puffing out now and again. He shouldn’t look so damn beautiful.
I lay there, staring, drinking him in. Franklin O’Hare had come for me. He’d risked his life to save me, and in the process, he’d wound up rescuing me and Pops.
Minutes ticked by and I continued staring until Franklin stirred. He jerked awake and his feet slipped from my bed, landing on the floor with a less-than-graceful thud.
It took him a couple of blinks and a wide yawn before Franklin realized I was awake. His whole face lit up when he stared into my eyes. Shifting forward, Franklin scooted his chair until it was snugged up against my bed.
“Hey you,” he softly said. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been held hostage and haven’t eaten in a decade. How about you?”
Franklin grinned. “About the same, minus the hostage bit. Oh, and I did eat a big, juicy burger a couple of hours ago.”
I groaned. “You’re killing me here.”
“Hope not. I went through a lot of trouble keeping you alive. I’d hate to off you with the mere mention of food.”
My lips twisted into a soft smile. “You came for me. You shouldn’t have, but you did.”
Franklin’s thick fingers danced along my hair line, pushing the strands away. “Yeah, about that, you’re kind of stuck with me now. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not in the least.”
“That’s good, because I’d hate to see what your father would do to me if I tried sticking around where I wasn’t wanted.” Franklin did a dramatic, whole-body shiver. “Talk about difficult in-laws…”
My laughter felt lighter than it had in days. Maybe weeks. It took me a few seconds to settle and when I did, I said, “Pops told me that Aurelia found you.”
“That she did. We need to have a discussion about your friendship choices.”
My laughter returned. “She’s not so bad.”
Franklin blew out a breath. “You won’t be saying that when she kills your father. Trust me when I say I think it best we try keeping the two of them apart.”
I sensed a story Pops had failed to relate but thought it could wait until later. “Have you seen Aurelia since then?”
Franklin shook his head. “I haven’t. That doesn’t mean she hasn’t been around.”
“No. She might not want to reveal herself.”
“I try not to think on it too hard,” Franklin admitted. “Aurelia isn’t something I have any control over, so I’m going to let that one go.”
“A wise decision,” I easily agreed.
“Speaking of wise and unwise decisions… When you’re feeling better, you and I need to have a discussion about your serious lack of self-preservation skills.”
My eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t know about McCallister, I—”
“I’m not talking about that psychotic jackass. I’m talking about driving yourself out to a job that you were in no shape to attempt. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Tina Waylon’s uncle is long dead. His soul and corpse could have waited another day or two.”
I sucked on my bottom lip and gave a reluctant nod. “You’re right. I just hated to disappoint her.”
“I know and I get it. I just don’t want you placing yourself in an early grave trying to please everyone. Rest assured, that will not pleaseme.”
