Page 197 of Heart of Frost and Scars

“You’re not losing me.” I reach out to touch his fisted hand. “But we need to find a way to be together that doesn’t destroy us.”

“I don’t know how to do that.” Leo grips his nape.

“You do it by not assaulting every man who looks at or talks to me. You do it by seeking help. There’s so much anger inside both of you, and maybe that kept you alive in the hills. But we’re not in the hills anymore.”

“We shouldn’t have left.” Kody strides from the room. “We don’t belong here.”

“You don’t mean that.”

Leo follows him out without a word, leaving me with Monty.

Turning to him, I don’t expect his help. He’s not here to solve my relationship problems with other men. More likely, he would use the situation to his advantage.

But as he watches me, his gaze deepens. The air thickens.

Our dinner conversation hangs between us. My fantasy. His knowing. That newfound connection pulls us closer and closer together, charged and breathless.

“They need more time,” he says in a caressing tone, meant to soothe.

Because he loves me. He wants me to be happy.

“Time.” I nod.

I’ll hold onto that. I’ll try to hold us all together, but it feels like we’re unraveling too fast.

Every day is a battle, every moment a test of our bond.

I demand change, and they refuse to admit they need help.

They’re a raging storm, wild and uncontrollable, their love for me a fierce, consuming fire.

I can’t help the feeling that something bad is coming, that something terrible is barreling our way. Not just with the stalker.

With us.

My feelings for Monty…I didn’t want to fall in love with him again. I fought it. I clung to my anger for so long.

But I’m no longer angry.

I’m scared.

No matter how this ends, someone gets hurt.

Someone ends up alone.

Part of me wonders if I’m the terrible thing that’s coming.

Am I the one who will tear us apart?

Can I fight my love for Monty? I haven’t admitted it out loud. Not to him. Not to Leo and Kody.

But how does that help?

I don’t know how long I can fight this battle alone.

43

Frankie

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