Page 25 of Draco

As soon as we made it home, Frankie dropped her purse in the middle of the floor and stomped up the stairs.

“Frankie, you know we need to talk.” I pulled at my hair. “How the hell did you and?—”

“Don’t say that bitch’s name!” she interjected. “She thought she could punk me, and I wasn’t letting that happen.”

I inched up the stairs until I was hovering over her. She swatted my hand away when I reached for her chin, causing a rumble to glide through my lips.

“Stop acting like that, Nugget! Let me clean you up.”

Though she dished profanity under her breath, Frankie followed me to my bedroom. I kepta firstaid kit under my bed, so I guided her to a seat after I laid everything out.

Ready to work, I pointed her head up to get a better look at the damage. Aside from a few scratches and a busted lip, she was good.

“I have to teach you how to fight. You’re too pretty to get hit in the face.”

“Screw you, Draco! This wouldn’t have happened if you had your whores in check. That was the same broad that popped up to your house two weeks ago.”

“I already talked to her about it, but I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Frankie scoffed and tried to jerk out of my grasp.

“Stop trying to get away from me, Nugget.”

Herscrewed-upface twistedintoa pout when I dabbed her wound with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball.

“Ouch! That burns!”

“You ain’t talking shit now, huh?” I blew the area, trying to lessen the sting. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when this happened.”

“It’s all right. I didn’t win, but I handled my own. A few scratches won’t kill me.” She drove out a harsh sigh. “Where did you go anyway?”

I was reluctant to fill her in, but there was no reason to hold back. Frankie was going to be my wife. I could only keep her in the dark for so long. If I didn’t fill the space with some truth, I knew it would turn into a pocket of resentment.

“Can you retwist my hair?” I asked out the blue.

Frankie’s head tilted to the side. “Ohnowyou want me to do your hair? Draco, you’re?—”

“Going to fill you in, but I need a retwist. We can kill two birds with one stone.”

“All right. I’ll go get my materials, and I’ll meet you back in here.”

I nodded before placing a kiss on the spot where she took the punch. Frankie sat there like a figure until I pulled her to her feet. Despite my nonchalant attitude, I wanted her to know my affection belonged to her.

We separated for all of five minutes before Frankie resurfaced in a pair of leggings and a sports bra. I watched her as she made herself comfortable at the end of my bed then tapped the inside of her thigh with a wide-tooth comb.

I grabbed my phone and turned on a random playlist as I got comfortable between her legs and enjoyed the sensation of her fingers on my scalp. I’d been going to a local salon to get my hair braided and twisted for years, but I could never relax in the chair. I was too afraid of what letting my guard down could mean.

“Tell me what you want to know?” I asked in a low drag.

“I want to know everything you haven’t told me.” She huffed. “You were vague about your family when I asked.”

“My father was a vampire and my mom was human.” I answered like it was no big deal. “They met here in Blackstone, but once she got pregnant with me, they moved to Midnight Hills.”

I felt oil melt into my scalp as she said, “Your mama was a brave woman moving to a place so… dark. I’ve heard rumors about Midnight Hills. Still, I can’t believe vampires are real.”

“That’s the case for most people, especially since we look like humans.”

“Yeah, until someone pisses you off.” She snickered. “You mentioned something about an offering. What’s up with that?”

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