Page 37 of Brazen Being It

No one recognizes it.

Not right away.

Rex notices first. His hand moves subtly to his sidearm. A couple of the prospects edge closer to the perimeter. It’s all instinct now—centuries of outlaw tension packed into seconds.

Toon moves in front of me as Little Foot makes his way to me and then moves me behind him.

The SUV door opens.

And my stomach drops through the floor.

Because the man who steps out?

I know him.

Frankie.

He’s wearing clean clothes for once. Fresh shave. Gold chain around his neck. But I’d know those eyes anywhere. Cold. Hungry. Full of venom.

I feel my knees buckle, but I stay standing.

Little Foot tenses.

Frankie’s eyes find me instantly. He grins.

“Well, well,” he says, arms wide like we’re old friends. “Ain’t this a sweet setup. Your momma wasn’t lying this time about how you got yourself tied up good.”

Little Foot’s voice goes low. “You know him?”

I nod, heart in my throat. “He’s not supposed to be here.”

Rex walks up beside us. “Cambria?”

“I didn’t tell him where I was,” I say, panic creeping in. “I swear.”

Frankie laughs. “Baby girl, I got ways. You think you disappear and I don’t follow?”

Rex steps forward. “You’re on private property. You got five seconds to turn around.”

Frankie doesn’t move. “Just came to talk to her.”

“No, you didn’t,” Little Foot growls.

I step forward, even as my hands shake.

“This isn’t your life anymore, Frankie,” I say, trying to sound stronger than I feel. “You don’t own me.”

His smile fades. “You think this is gonna last? This little fantasy? You’ll be back in my pocket the second it falls apart.”

“No,” I say. Louder this time. “No, I won’t.” I feel Little Foot behind me, solid as steel. “I wasn’t in your pocket. Momma was and she stayed with you. Why can’t you leave me alone.”

“You need to leave,” Little Foot orders.

Frankie looks at him, then at Rex. Then he laughs. “You think this ends here? This ain’t over.”

But he gets back in the SUV. And he drives away. Just like that. The gate closes behind him with a heavy clang, and the party resumes—muted now.

Changed.

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