Page 47 of Vicious Games

Chapter 7

Luciano

“Here.” I slide the phone box across the library table toward Frankie.

She eyes it warily, her big blue eyes narrowing into two suspicious slits as she picks it up like it might explode. “What’s this?”

“What does it look like?” I retort, settling into my seat next to her. “It’s a phone.”

“I can see it’s a phone,” she says, turning it over like contraband. “Why are you giving it to me?”

“Because you don’t have one, and I’m sick of hauling my ass to the library, thinking you’ll bail if I’m late again.”

“I would. I’ve been watching the clock. A minute later, and I wouldn’t be here.”

“Oh, I know.” I smirk. “That’s why you’re getting the phone. So you don’t ditch me if I’m two seconds late.”

“Doesn’t mean I’ll wait for you either way,” she quips back nonchalantly. “But that’s beside the point. I can’t take this.” She slides the phone back toward me.

“Yes, you can. And you will.” I push it right back.

“No, Lucky. I can’t.”

“And why not?”

“For so many reasons.”

“Name one.”

“For starters, I wouldn’t be able to pay you back for it.”

“Hence why it’s a gift,” I say slowly to drive the point home. “You don’t need to pay me back.”

“I still can’t keep it,” she insists. “I wouldn’t even have the money to put minutes on it anyway.”

“It’s a company phone,” I say simply. “Already paid for.”

Her face immediately twists in suspicion again. “Company?”

“Yeah. My dad’s.”

“Then hell no.” She shoves the box back at me. “I’m not taking a phone your father paid for.”

“It’s a write-off, Frankie. Don’t even sweat it.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Goddamn it, Frankie, just take the phone!”

A few people turn to stare, whispering amongst themselves, teasing grins all over their stupid-ass faces.

Frankie immediately shrinks into her chair, her fire dimming under the weight of their attention.

I hate that. I’ve noticed it before. She seems to pull inward as if trying to disappear whenever people focus on her. It’s so unlike her, and well, I don’t like it.

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