“Yeah, Menace helped make sure of that.”
“You think your little talk with him will do any good?”
“For his sake, I certainly hope so.” I walked over and as I got on my bike, I told him, “’Cause he’s as good as dead if he puts his hands on Frankie or those boys again.”
“I’ll be right there to help you finish him off.”
“Appreciate it, brother. Knew I could count on you.” When he got back in his SUV, I told him, “Thanks again for your help tonight.”
“No problem. Glad I could give you a hand with the douchebag.” He started the truck then said, “Give Frankie my best, and if you guys need anything else, just give me a call.”
“Will do.”
Once he’d pulled out of the parking lot, I started up my bike and headed back over to Frankie’s. It had been hours since I’d sent her home, and I had no doubt she was worried. I didn’t want to wake the boys, so I killed the engine well before I made it to her driveway. I eased my bike up next to her car, then I sent her a text message, letting her know I was outside. Seconds later, she came to the front door and motioned for me to come inside. I hadn’t even made it through the door before she asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, babe.” The bruises on her throat were looking more pronounced, along with those on her shoulder. Her eye was still swollen, and now there was a deep bruise beneath it. I stepped over and pulled her in for a brief hug. “You put ice on that eye like I told ya?”
“I did for a little while, but it started to give me a headache.”
“You need ice, Frankie.”
She stepped back, freeing herself from my arms. “No, I need you to tell me what happened.”
“I handled it. Just like I told you I would.” Trying my best to be quiet, I walked into the kitchen and opened the freezer, grabbing a bag of frozen peas. As I offered it to her, I demanded, “Put this on your eye.”
“Fine.” She grabbed it and pressed it against her face. “Now, will you tell me what happened with Marc.”
“Nothing to tell.” I stepped over to her and kissed her on the forehead. “He’s been dealt with. Everything’s going to be fine. Actually, things should be better than ever.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s say I gave Marc a bit of a warning. If he’s smart, he’ll take that warning to heart and straighten his ass up.” I brought my hands up and cradled her face. “He won’t hurt you again, Frankie. If he even thinks about it, I’ll kill him.”
“Roman...”
“I mean it, Frankie.” I’d told her too much. I knew that, but after what she’d been through, she needed to know that Marc had been dealt with. I couldn’t keep that from her. “You’re mine, and I’m going to take care of what’s mine.”
She wrapped her arms around me as she lowered her head to my chest, then hugged me tightly. “Thank you, Roman. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been there.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” I kissed her on the temple, then said, “Let’s get you to bed.”
“Okay.” I led her back into her bedroom and pulled back her comforter, waiting for her to lie down before I pulled it over her. “Will you stay?”
“As long as you want me to.” I took off my cut and boots, then pulled off my jeans before lying down on the bed next to her. “I’ll be gone before the boys wake up.”
“You don’t have to.” She curled up to me as she said, “They’ll like knowing you were here after what happened.”
“Okay.” I reached down and took the bag of peas she was still holding in her hand. I placed it on her swollen eye, then gave her a soft kiss on the lips. The room fell silent, and as I lay there holding her in my arms, I found myself thinking about my mother and all the hell she’d been through. I hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but I muttered, “I wish I could’ve done more to help her.”
“Who?”
“My mother.” I stared up at the ceiling as I whispered, “Maybe if she had someone there to help her she would’ve left him.”
“Maybe, but you were just a little boy, Roman. There wasn’t anything you could do.”
“I know, but I can’t help feeling like I should’ve done something. You know, I can still remember the defeated look in her eyes. It’s like she’d given up on trying to make things better. If she’d just left, maybe we all could’ve had a better life.” I looked down at Frankie as I said, “I want to be able to forgive her. I know she went through hell, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get there.”