“I don’t know what thoughts are running through that head of yours, Millie, but this is not your fault. This guy, Frank, is one crazy bastard. He is going to get caught.”
She shook her head. Frank was conniving, slick, and manipulative. When she thought of him in the past, she thought of the song “Bad to the Bone,” and he was out of his mind.
“He’s in Alabama and obviously headed this way. He knows where I’m staying. I won’t bring danger here to the Triple C. I won’t put the family at risk, baby Hope, or anyone else, for that matter.”
“You’re not leaving here,” Marco stated firmly. “The FBI are involved now, Millie. They’ll get to him before he steps foot here, and if not, we’ve got your back.”
“The FBI?”
“He killed a retired agent.” Wyatt began to explain what happened. All she could imagine was poor Stewart being tortured and then killed. He was probably scared out of his mind.
“Poor Stewart,” she whispered.
Marco gripped her shoulders.
“Poor Stewart? He was an asshole to you. He hurt you almost as badly as Frank. Don’t feel sorry for hating him and think that you’re a bad person.”
The tears hit her eyes. How the hell did Marco do that? How could he read her mind?
“I do feel bad. I can’t help it, Marco. I feel terrible that Frank killed him. What about Clare and now this innocent FBI agent? It’s all because of me. It’s my fault. Frank told me things. He swore that we would always be together. Oh, God!” Millie pulled out of Marco’s arms, getting away from him far across the room. She squeezed her arms around herself and all three men stared at her.
“Millie?” Marco whispered, taking a step toward her, but she shook her head.
“Honey, what is it?” Wyatt asked.
“I can’t see you and your brothers anymore, Marco. He’ll come here and he’ll kill all five of you.”
* * * *
“Marco, calm down. She’s upset.”
“I can’t calm down. Her thinking this way is asinine. This fucking piece of shit will not come here and kill me or my brothers nor will we let him lay a hand on Millie.”
“I understand you’re upset and angry, but think about where Millie is coming from.”
“I get it. I do, Wyatt, and she has to see that she’s not alone and we will protect her. We love her.”
?
?Have you told her that?”
“No.”
“Well, start there. Make her see that what you have between the six of you is real and forever. Make her understand that you’re part of her life. Get to it and convince her to keep each of you by her side. Max, Eric, myself, Charlie, Ben, and the other deputies will watch over the women and children. You guys watch over Millie. I’ll call Detective Flynn when I get back to the department. I promise to keep you abreast of any updates.”
“I appreciate that, Wyatt.” Marco shook Wyatt’s hand.
“It will work out. She’s being stubborn just like her two best friends. Remember that she’s hurting inside. It’s tough to put aside the jealousy and anger of the situation, but you need to for Millie’s sake and for your own control. Handling this professionally will help you keep a clear head and protect her,” Max offered and Marco nodded his head then shook Ben’s hand.
Marco pulled out his cell phone. He was going to need reinforcements.
* * * *
Anna and Stacy walked Millie out toward Marco’s truck. It had taken some convincing, but Millie accepted their insight and decided she needed some time alone, but not necessarily completely alone, in the cottage. Marco would stay with her until the others arrived after work.
She gave them each a hug and prayed that they would be fine and that Frank wouldn’t make it to Pearl, never mind the Triple C ranch.
“Oh, what about my truck?” Millie asked.