Page 87 of Heart of Frost and Scars

As I walk Doyle to the door, his words echo in my mind, a reminder that I can’t take care of everyone all the time. I can stitch their surface wounds, but I can’t heal the ones inside. And they have so many.

“Kody should be right outside.” I reach for the knob. “Do you want to see him next?”

“Sure. Monty scheduled me for the entire day.”

I open the door and peer into the hallway.

Empty.

Alarm spikes through me, but I quickly shrug it off.

“Looks like he stepped away. Probably in the restroom.” I turn back and gasp, shocked to find Doyle standing so close.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He grips my bicep to steady me, his fingers sliding down my arm.

“It’s fine.” I step back, crossing the threshold into the hall.

“Are you sure?” He searches my eyes, his body following my retreat as if I’m pulling him in. “You look shaken. Are you still fighting a panic attack? Maybe you should sit.”

“No.” I put my hand up, accidentally brushing his chest. “Just need a minute.”

“Yes, of course.” Standing just inside the den, he lowers his chin and releases me from his penetrating stare. “Remember, you can always reach out if you need to talk, even if we’re off the clock.”

His fingers graze against mine, offering comfort.

But I don’t feel comfortable. Not with him hovering close enough to taste the spearmint on his breath.

As his hand lifts toward my face, I catch movement from the corner of my eye.

A menacing shadow peels away from the darkness of an adjacent doorway, and those black eyes lock onto Doyle’s hand as he touches my chin.

Kody, no!

His face contorts with rage. Before I can react, he lunges with a feral roar.

18

Frankie

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“Get your hands off her!” Kody slams into Doyle, sending my heart into overdrive.

“Stop! Stop!” I try to shove them apart, but it’s like moving two brick walls.

With Kody’s weight loss, Doyle outmatches him in bulk and strength. But he can’t rival Kody’s savage fury and predatory speed.

They crash into the wall, swinging their fists, wrestling, spitting, and knocking over an end table.

“Stop it! Both of you!” I leap into the fray, palming their faces and catching my skin on sharp teeth. “Fuck!”

At the sound of my yelp, they break apart.

Eyes locked, they heave through seething breaths, dousing the room in aggression and testosterone.

“He’s been touching you, hasn’t he?” Kody snarls. “He’s trying to take you from me!”

“Frankie?” Doyle steps back, his features scrunched in confusion. “What’s going on?”

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