Page 79 of Frank's Felon
“That’s not your decision, and that wasn’t what I was talking about. You’re mad at him, and it has nothing to do with me.”
“How can you say that? It has everything to do with you! He’s going to hand you over––”
“Stop it, Frank. You know damn well you were mad at him before Sloan ever insisted on my surrender. Are you going to let me leave here seeing you mad at the world?”
“Then don’t leave.”
“Again, my decision.”
“It affects both of us.”
“Why? I already told you I can’t blood-bond you.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Fine. Won’t. But I have my reasons.”
“Which you won’t share.”
“Damn right.”
Just then the door opened. “Hi!” Frankie said, with a big smile on her face. Large dark eyes looked up at them. “Mama says your yelling’s going to wake the baby. She said you should get the fuck in here already.”
Delilah tried to hold her laughter in, but she couldn’t. She covered her mouth as she said, “I don’t think your mom used such bad language, Frankie.” Delilah lifted the girl and got the world’s biggest hug.
“Frankie got it right, unfortunately,” Mason called from the sofa where he was laid out with a blanket on him.
“And she says I have the foul mouth,” Frank mumbled as he slid inside the quaint cabin. Mason started to rise until Frank set a heavy hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down. “Sit.”
Delilah sighed. Frank was back to using only one word at a time. At least he was here. Maybe seeing everyone would get him to loosen up a bit.
“Go talk to Uncle Frank,” Delilah whispered in Frankie’s ear as she set her down. “He’s a bit grouchy so turn on that charm.”
“Uncle Frank is always grouchy,” Frankie said as she ran to him.
Frank lifted Frankie without hesitation, though he managed to glare at Delilah in the process. “I’m not cranky.”
Frankie put her hands on Frank’s cheeks and turned him to face her. “Smile.”
“No.”
“Smile,” she insisted.
Frank smiled.
“That’s not a real smile.”
“She got you there, Frank,” Mason said.
“Go to. . .” Frank caught himself. “Damn.”
“You’re improving,” Takara said from the other room.
“And yet I hear you’re swearing more and more,” Frank countered.
Delilah closed the door behind them. Apparently Frank had enough words for everyone today except her.
“From what I hear, her language was quite colorful during delivery,” Mason said.
