Page 55 of A Touch of Frost
“Nah, Tex.” Mozart spoke slowly. “There’s something else. Frost is angry.”
“Okay?” Tex asked.
“Mozart.” I warned.
He sighed and shook his head. “We’ll talk about that later. Right now, how is the doc?”
“In bad shape.” I replied, thankful for the change in subject. “Lizard said he’s malnourished. We think they were starving him a little at a time to keep him in line.”
“If he’s too weak he won’t try escaping.” Mozart pointed out.
“Lizard and Widow went out to get food. I figured since Lizard has the medical training, he’ll know what we need for Paul.” I stretched my legs out and set my coffee down. “But I’m not leaving here unless Striker is in shackles or a body bag.”
Both Tex and Mozart sighed in unison, but neither of them continued trying to talk me out of what I was determined to do, with or without their blessings.
“If you need me,” Tex said.
“I think that goes without saying.” Mozart told me.
I nodded and hung up before Mozart could bring the conversation back to what I knew he was going to.
“Abigail?”
I looked up.
Jesse walked into the room, sat on the floor beside my legs and rested his head on my lap. I caressed his hair back, gently, letting him get the silence he needed.
“I’m sorry.” Jesse’s voice cracked.
“Sorry? What for?”
“I should be stronger.” Jesse told me. “Growing up on the streets, learning to fight, being a man.”
“Jesse, this isn’t a measuring stick for your masculinity.” I told him. “If we use stereotypes to measure masculinity and femininity, I’m screwed.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was a soldier, Jesse.” I told him. “I hear a loud enough bang and I reach for my side-piece. You’ve seen the way I go through doors, right? Any other woman in your life can do that?”
He shook his head.
“You brother is hurting. You’re hurting. This is better than bottling it up inside—therapy is expensive, you know?”
He chuckled and lifted his head to rest his chin on my thigh.
“I know this isn’t about me, but it kinda makes me feel some pride that you’d come to me in this moment.”
“Really?” He asked.
“Men don’t usually like being this vulnerable.”
“It wasn’t the easiest thing.” He told me. “Especially being unable to trust someone for all this time. But the decision to come to you like this wasn’t exactly hard. Thinking about it now, I don’t think I would be able to be like this with anyone else—any other woman.”
“Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.” I joked.
“You said you wanted me to be your man.” Jesse reminded me. “I need you to be a tower for me too.”
“I don’t think any less of you because you’re having a moment.” My voice cracked.
