Page 23 of Wildcat

“You’re part of that women’s motorcycle club on the outskirts of town? Sorry. I’m asking because we’ve been told that your president, I believe she goes by Tink, is funding the new area here for children’s diseases. Could you tell her, I mean your president, that I’m grateful. My daughter is a Type 1 diabetic, so having that wing here will save my wife hours of driving to Billings or Bozeman to see the specialist. You all do such good things for our town. It's so appreciated. Thanks.”

When he stretches out his hand, I grab it. He shocks me by giving it a small shake then a kiss on my knuckles. Then he turns and shakes Malcolm’s hand also before he turns and walks back through that door. As we walk back to my parents, Malcolm puts his arm around me as I put my hand in the back pocket of his scrubs. Damn, this feels so natural, I just pray once we have a much overdue conversation, we can pursue whatever the hell this is because this is the first time in a long while that I feel good. I don’t want to lose this feeling or Malcolm, and I’ll do whatever I can to make sure this works. For the both of us.

TWENTY-TWO

‘MALCOLM’

MALTY

We sat in the waiting area until Cici was moved to the intensive care unit. First William and Sherrie went in to see their daughter. Then Frankie and I got to see her for just a few minutes. She wasn’t awake, which I didn’t think she’d be. I’m sure she’s on some serious drugs. I know though that Frankie had to see her with her own eyes to make sure she was doing okay. Before we left, after saying our goodbyes to Cici’s parents, Frankie went to the nurses’ station and left her cell phone number with the nurses, telling them to call if there were any changes at all.

Now we are on our way back to the ranch. Dani is driving us in one of the club’s SUVs. Not sure why, but one of the Handmaidens or Intruders will be guarding Cici’s door. Also, from what Peanut told me, Sheriff George is putting a newer deputy on the rotation to keep an eye out at the hospital. My back is screaming at me and I can’t wait to take a scalding hot shower to loosen some of my muscles. Then I want to sleep for like twenty-four hours.

Shamonda sent a few texts with shots of her boys and my fur babies playing. They even have the cats running all over. Thank God for them. It’s not easy to leave your fur babies, so knowing they are being taken care of helps settle my nerves on being away from them. That’s something else I have to think about. First though is talking things over with Frankie. I glance down to see Frankie curled up in the crook of my arm, asleep. I can’t even fathom how emotionally spent she is. With us springing a surprise visit and finding out about Michael. Shit, another conversation we’ll need to have. So much to try and figure out. She’s worth it all though. I’d walk through hell for her. Well, we both went down that road already.

As Dani slows down, I see we are getting ready to turn onto the access road to the ranch. There are armed men at the gate, which I never noticed before. Quietly as not to disturb Frankie, I have to ask.

“Dani, I’ve never noticed the armed guards before? Did something happen?”

“No, Malcolm, actually since Tink’s situation, we always have guards at the gates. They are either a few Intruders or some of Ollie’s ex-military folks. Sometimes even Sheriff George might call in the county deputies. What we do brings us into contact with some very evil people, Malcolm. Not to mention we bring back the victims here to the ranch to heal. We’ve had times when our missions though successful and, in fact we rescue those being abused, but the bad people get away. We’ve been doing this for years, Malcolm, and we’re now known for our work by the evil that walks this earth. There have been times when the ranch’s weaknesses were made aware to us. When things for Tink came to a head, some very bad men made it onto the ranch and to the main house. A gunfight happened and thank God no one on our side was killed. So after that Tank, Sheriff George, and Ollie worked with Tink to secure the home front.”

I feel when Frankie is starting to wake up, but just hold her tightly to me. She cuddles back into me and sighs. Not sure what that means, but she stays close, so that’s all that matters to me. It’s been so long since I’ve had this, the closeness between a man and woman. I’m not talking about the intense sexual intimacy, though I want that too again with Frankie. If I’m being honest, I want it all with her. Though that thought in itself scares the fuck out of me.

Dani stops and talks to two of the men. They are flirting with her and I don’t know if she’s playing hard to get or is clueless.

“She’s clueless, Malty. Doesn’t realize how gorgeous and nice she is.”

Frankie lifts up from my body and I’m instantly cold. She stretches, which draws my eyes to her torso and breasts. She’s filled out though she’s petite in shape. Gorgeous is what comes to mind.

“Would you prefer a photograph so you can have it handy at all times, Malty?”

I hear Dani softly giggle as she drives down the long driveway to the ranch’s main house. I look at Frankie and whisper.

“Want some company tonight?”

Her eyes get big before she grins at me.

“Dani, skip the main house. Just take us to my cabin, if you don’t mind. And thanks, sister, for the ride. Appreciate it.”

No one says another word in the few minutes it takes to round the main house and drive down Cabin Lane, as we’ve named it. Dani stops right in front of my cabin. Malcolm gets out first then reaches in for me. Before he shuts the door, I hear him say thanks to Dani, who says something though I don’t catch it. I do feel Malcolm tense up for a second or two before he tells her to have a good night. We make our way up the stairs to the front door. I do the fingerprint then open the door and shut down the alarm. Once Malcolm is in, I reset it for night and two people.

“What did Dani say to you that had you tensing up?”

“She told me if I hurt you, and I thought Shadow was scary, I’d find out differently because no one would find a single piece of my body when she was done. And she said all of this with a smile on her face. Totally freaked me out, Frankie. She looks so innocent and nice.”

“Malcolm, she is innocent and nice but more importantly, she’s loyal. Now don’t know about you, but I’m going to take a shower. Shit, you already took one at the hospital, didn’t you? Well then, make yourself comfortable. I won’t be long. I’m so exhausted, bet you are too. Be back.”

Watching her walk down the hallway to the master bedroom, I step into her kitchen, open the refrigerator, and grab—oh yeah—an apple juice. I open the bottle and take a long drink. Damn, that is so good. I make my way back to the family room and sit down on the couch, leaning back and putting my feet without shoes on the table. Not sure how long I sit like that but the next thing I know, Frankie is back in her pajamas.

“Malcolm, come on, let’s get you to bed. Do you need anything, like ice? I’ve got my second bedroom all ready for you. We’ll talk in the morning. Hey, what are you doing? Malty, you passed my guest room. Um, this is my room. Malcolm, what are you doing?”

“Frankie, I’m too exhausted, even if you wanted to. But I do want to fall asleep with you in my arms. Promise, no hanky-panky.”

She starts to laugh but surprisingly doesn’t say no. I barely look at her bedroom, just walk us to the bed. She moves to one side and throws the covers back and gets in. I also move the covers and get in. Not sure how sleeping in scrubs is going to work, but at this point I just want to close my eyes and rest. With Frankie in my arms. I lie on my back and before I can shift, she’s cuddled next to me, her hand across my belly. She smells so good, fresh, and kind of a mixture of fruity with flowers.

“Malty, we’ll talk in the morning. I don’t think I could get my brain to shoot any thoughts out of my mouth. See, that didn’t even make sense. Thanks for being here.”

Right before she drifts off to sleep, I could swear to all that is holy she tells me she loves me. My God, my body reacts to that in so many ways. My heart feels like it just got a jolt of electricity, my brain does a ten second reminder of what we went through, and then I promise myself to get help to move forward. My cock is throbbing and hard as steel, which shocks the shit out of me. It’s been a while since it reacted at all. Well, yeah, to my hand but that is few and far between. So great time for the beast to wake up, which means I’m not going to be getting any sleep anytime soon. My hand is on Frankie’s waist and just the heat of her skin feels like my hand is on fire. It could burn, not going to move it at all.

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