Page 25 of Wildcat

“Goddamn it, I forgot to butter the toast. Hang on a second.”

I get up and walk to the toaster. Pushing the bread back down I wait and in about fifteen seconds or so it pops up. Now that it’s hot the butter will melt. I bring the buttered toast to the island and they each grab a piece, leaving two on the plate. This feels so good, almost like normal, whatever that means. Though I kind of know why my sister is here, I just need to confirm it.

“Shadow, not that I don’t love seeing you first thing in the morning, but what’s up?”

She gazes at me first then looks over to Malcolm. Something is bothering her; I can feel it.

“Need to know what you want done with Michael. Can’t keep him on ice in my wet room indefinitely. Never know, might need to use that room for some actual work. Also, it’s intake day so wanted to know how much you want to be involved. Usually, you are a big part of it, but I know you got a lot going on. I can try to fill your shoes but with this on my face, not going to be the calm serene shit you bring to the table.”

I look to see Malcolm staring at me. Well, so much for our talk.

“Shadow, finish breakfast. Then give us about an hour or so, then we’ll do whatever you want or need. As far as Michael, that’s what part of that hour is for, to figure out what’s next. Does that work for you?”

She just nods, though her ice-blue eyes are on Malcolm. Not a word is said but when he gives her a chin lift, I know he got what she was saying. We all go back to breakfast and before long we’re done sipping our lukewarm coffees.

“Welp, better get going. Oh, Tink called a chapel for noon. Hey, did you notice I didn’t give ya any bullshit for having a half-naked fine-ass man in your house? Never said a word, though when I get back to the main house, I’m gonna have to share. Need to have something good to share occasionally, otherwise all the sisters are gonna think I’m gloom and doom.”

With that she throws back the last of her coffee, grabs her plate, and shit, walks it to the sink, then with a finger to the forehead walks out. Just great, everyone is going to think we were bumping nasties all night, and I didn’t even get a kiss yet. Well, a real one.

“Hey, Frankie, go get ready. I’ll clean up then maybe we can talk before something else happens. One thing I can say, it’s never boring out here in Timber-Ghost, Montana.”

With that thought in my head, I make my way back to my bedroom where the bed is made, drapes and blinds are open and up. Damn, he’s good. I walk into the en suite, take one look at my hair and literally shriek. This is how I sat with Shadow and Malcolm and ate breakfast. Shit, is that why she had her phone out? Did that bitch take pictures? I’ll kill her with my own two hands. Who would have thought short hair could look so frigging crazy after going to bed with wettish hair.

After working on my hair and getting dressed again, I make my way down to where I find Malcolm sitting on my couch, the television on as he’s watching the news.

“Don’t know how but there’s no news on what happened yesterday. Nothing about Cici or anything. How can that be?”

“Welcome to small-town America, Malcolm. So think we should get this done?”

“Yeah, I do, Beautiful.”

I take a few to breathe and try to think what it is I want to say to him. Over the last couple of years, I’ve gone back and forth with what I’d say if we ever crossed paths. Well, now that it’s here, don’t really know what to say or how to express what I’m feeling. I look up to see so much love on his face it instantly hits me what to say.

“Stay.”

His eyes get larger and his mouth forms an “O.” Then a gorgeous as fuck smile appears on his face before he pulls me close and plants a kiss on my lips. Not a touch this time, he uses his lips, teeth, and tongue to tell me what he thought of my comment. I lose track of time because the man can kiss. When he finally pulls back after multiple kisses on the tip of my nose, back to my lips, then to my forehead, I slowly open my eyes.

“Malcolm, is that a yes?”

He throws his head back belly laughing. After a second, I join him. This lasts for a bit ’til the other thing we need to talk about comes to the surface. His face gets serious before he says the one word I’m dreading.

“Michael. What are we going to do, Frankie, with him?”

At first I shrug, trying to buy some time, though I’ve given it some thought. Bottom line is we can’t let him live. Not only because of what he did to both of us, but with his history with Shadow and her father, Dario. That brings the evil back and that can never happen. I don’t say a word, just keep my eyes on him. After about five minutes or so his head drops, as his shoulders start to shake. I reach over and pull him to me. He drops his head in my lap, wraps his arms around my thighs, and lets it all out while I really feel my hatred for Michael growing.

I’ll never know why he did what he did. Before we give Shadow the go-ahead, we need to try to talk to him for some kind of closure. Especially for Malcolm. As my hands run through his hair, I can’t believe that we both want the same thing. Us together. Miracles do happen… look at the two of us. Now for the hard stuff, this ain’t going to be easy but with Malcolm at my side I feel we can do anything together.

TWENTY-FOUR

‘WILDCAT’

FRANKIE

Sitting in our meeting room at the ranch, I’m waiting like everyone else for Tink and Glory to arrive. This is very strange; they are never late. Next to me is Heartbreaker. I lean over, shoulder bumping her.

“You did good yesterday, sister, with Cici. Thanks for that, so much was happening I’m glad she had someone there for her. From what Shadow told us this morning at breakfast, Cici’s up though still pretty groggy. We’re going to try and see her today if you want to come with us.”

She looks at me for a second then smiles, which shocks me. Damn, never realized how gorgeous this sister is.

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