Page 33 of Daddy's Little Worker
Noah briefly looked at them before looking at her. Were they shaking because of nerves?
“That isn’t going to do.” He shook his head. “I’ll get your pay to be sent early so you can stock up.”
He was thankful Mac had agreed without asking too many questions about upping the pay. Noah wanted to ask Frankie where her money was going, but it wasn’t any of his business. He wished he could make it his business, though.
“You don’t need to do that. I’m perfectly fine.” She looked at him with alarm. “It’s coming in soon anyway
“I’m doing this no matter what. I should’ve done this a while ago.” He waved his hand in the air, dismissing her worries.
Her eyes narrowed on his before she quickly clasped her hands in front of her, stopping the shaking. Noah’s eyebrows pulled together as he looked at her hands. Something was definitely up, and he wanted to know what.
“Thank you,” she whispered, pulling his attention from her hands. “I’m good now.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
Frankie nodded. “I really am. I’m not hungry anyway right now so you don’t have to worry about that either. Trent gave me a really big lunch, and I ate all of it.”
“If you’re sure.” He searched her face.
“I’m sure. I think I’m just going to go back to sleep.” She looked shyly down at her lap. “Thank you so much for putting the cameras in and fitting the new lock. I really appreciate it.”
Noah got up and walked over to her bed, cupping her face with his hands. “It was my pleasure. If you need anything else, let me know. I’m only a text or phone call away. No matter the time of day or night, you text or call me.”
She sighed. “I know, you’ve said it a lot.”
He smiled. “And I will say it a hundred more times if I need to. It doesn’t bother me, and it never will do.”
Frankie looked at him in wonder, and he wanted to know what was running through her head. Had no one ever done that for her? That didn’t settle well with Noah, but when it came to Frankie, a lot didn’t. Something was off, and he didn’t know what. It was going to bug him until he figured it out. He just hoped he wasn’t too late.
“I’m going to leave, but if you need anything?—”
“Text or call you. I will.” She chuckled.
Noah leaned down, kissing her forehead before walking to the front door.
“I placed the key on the counter over there.” He pointed toward the kitchen. “I want you to lock the door when I leave. Can you do that for me?”
Frankie nodded, getting out of bed with her stuffie still tucked into her arm.
“Good girl,” he whispered. “Such a good girl for me.”
Her face turned bright red as she walked toward him. Noah grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder before leaving her apartment. With every step, it felt like he was walking through quicksand, his steps getting slower and slower. He didn’t want to leave her. He wanted to stay and make sure she was safe, but she said she didn’t need him to.
He wanted to tell her hewantedher to need him.
“Sleep well,” Noah whispered before closing the door.
He waited for her to lock the door before heading down the stairs. He was not going to get much sleep tonight.
CHAPTER 15
FRANKIE
Exhaustion weighed down on Frankie’s shoulders as she stood outside her apartment building, waiting for Dominic to get her. She had been waiting for ten minutes already. Something was wrong. The time for her to get to work was nearing, and she wouldn’t make it in time if she had to walk or take the bus.
Frankie looked up and down the street. Several men were out, all looking at her, and an uneasy feeling rolled through her. She quickly took her phone out of her pocket and pulled up Noah’s contact information as she started her walk to the bus station.
“Everything is going to be okay,” she whispered to herself. “I just need to call Noah, and he’ll come pick me up. Easy, right?”
