Page 43 of Amore
Clearing my throat, I said, “Let’s get you into bed. It’s been a long night.”
Frankie stood and immediately began shaking her head. “I can’t sleep in there.”
I stood and reached for her, wrapping her in a hug. “You know I’m not going anywhere, and the guy will be in jail for a few days, at least.”
“And then what?” she asked against my chest.
“Once he’s convicted, he could be in there for a few years.”
She pulled back and peered up at me. “And then?”
“And I’m going to keep you safe. I’m your bodyguard now.” I smirked, trying to put her at ease.
“Will you”—she looked toward Amore curled up on the floor, sleeping—“lay with me until I fall asleep?”
“Of course.”
I followed her to her bedroom. She stopped in the doorway, and I moved past her.
“How about I change the sheets? Will that help?” I had no idea what it was like to be attacked, especially in my own bed, but I knew the ordeal wasn’t over in Frankie’s head.
“Can we burn the house down instead?” She snorted.
“Would you rather go to my place?” I offered.
“Can we?” Her honey eyes widened with hopefulness.
“Of course.”
“What about Amore?”
“He can come too.” I walked toward her, needing to wrap her in my arms.
She didn’t hesitate to reciprocate the embrace and placed her head on my chest. “You can have dogs in your apartment?”
“I think so, but if not, it’s okay. The manager owes me a favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
I lifted a shoulder. “I may have secretly run a security check on his daughter’s boyfriend.”
“Well, it will only be for two weeks, anyway.”
I grinned. “You’re moving in with me?”
“I mean—”
“Nope.” I squeezed her tighter. “You said it.”
We hugged for a few moments, then she asked, “What the hell is Lucy going to think?”
“Do we care?”
“Well, she is your sister.”
“I think she’ll come around.”
“Hope so.”
