Page 28 of Frank's Felon
“You’re heading into Drake’s territory. The home of the white wolves who attacked you.”
A shudder ran through her. She’d been distracted, thinking about her mess of a life and about the guard who knew too much about her.
Frank cupped her cheek. “Walk with me.”
Another demand, except his voice was soft and inviting, and the look in his eyes weren’t fully of pity or disappointment. He looked much like he had on that footbridge, after she had explained where she was going. Friendly, sincere, honest.
“I guess I got turned around at some point. I usually have a good sense of direction.”
“Except when you’re distracted,” he said. “What’s distracting you, Del?” he said, moving in so close she could smell that earthiness about him that made her want to lean into him and inhale long and deep. Maybe drag her tongue along his neck to see if he tasted anything like she remembered.
She stepped back. He wasn’t hers. Never would be, now that he knew who, what she was. At least most of it. The rest certainly wouldn’t gain her any points.
“You know too much about me now and. . .”
“You’re afraid I’ll tell Tess. Or worse, I’ll use it against you. Force you to do something you don’t want just to keep your secret.”
The bastard had already thought of it. She should have thought her actions through earlier, before opening her mouth. It didn’t matter how trustworthy he seemed; she had only made herself more vulnerable by telling him.
He grabbed her by her hand and started walking away from Drake’s territory, but down a path she didn’t recognize. When she tried to pull free, he let go, but his frown said enough.
“I won’t hurt you. Have a little faith.”
“Faith costs.”
He cursed under his breath, but he continued walking away from Drake’s territory. Her wolf was content to follow, so she gave in to those instincts, hoping her wolf knew what she was doing. It was a good thing Frank and Tess were such good friends, or he probably would have let Delilah cross into the white wolves’ territory.
Eventually Frank’s pace eased. She still hadn’t asked where they were going. And then she started to realize she did have faith in more than her wolf. She wasn’t scared of Frank or where he was taking her.
“Can we hold hands?” Frank asked.
It was the strangest question she had ever been asked, especially coming from him, but his request sent a thrill through her. He hadn’t taken her hand again as before or assumed anything about what she wanted. He hadasked.
True to form, her body responded to him, and she slid her hand into his. Strong fingers wrapped around hers—warm, strong, and cautious, as if he wasn’t sure about this. She understood that. . .she hadn’t painted a very good picture of herself back there.
A few minutes later, Frank let go of her hand and pointed up the path. “The main compound’s up there, hundred yards or so. You’ll see Tess’s house right away.”
“You’re not going to tell her, are you? She’s the only one who cares about me. I don’t want to lose her.”
“I won’t tell her, but you should. I don’t think anything you could say would ever make her love you any less. These secrets you’ve been holding in. . .” He scrubbed his face again. “I think you’ll feel better once you tell her.” Gently but firmly, he took her chin in his hand until she focused fully on him. “I won’t use your past against you, Del. That’s not who I am.”
She was stunned, and dumbfounded. He wasn’t horrified by what she had done. Frank didn’t seem to be judging her. When she opened her mouth to thank him, he released her. That steely gaze of his silenced her, though. He wasn’t seeking her gratitude. What, then, did he want from her?
“I have guard duty starting soon. Tomorrow, when I’m off shift, maybe you’ll take another walk with me so we can talk. No more questions about the WSSO or the past.”
She must have made a face or something for he sucked in air again. She wasn’t one to trust easily, he had to know that by now, but it wasn’t like she could flip a switch either.
Frank held firm, however, and persisted. “I’d like to show you some of the scenic areas around here. The ones without ledges.”
Thick fingers swept across her cheek until he pushed her hair away from her face. He wasn’t going to let her hide behind the wall of hair that had fallen forward, or any other wall she’d built. Although he wasn’t smiling, there was a warmth in his face and a determination that sent a delicious new energy through her.
“You’re wrong about one thing, Del,” he said as she lifted her chin high with a sense of pride she hadn’t felt in a long time. “Tess isn’t the only one who cares about you.”
Chapter Seven
FRANK
Last night, Frank had crawled into bed after an exceedingly long shift. He’d spent the entire day working the southern and eastern borders, where the pack was most vulnerable. Work had been preferable to returning to camp and encountering Delilah before he was ready. She’d revealed a lot to him two days ago, and he still wasn’t sure about how to proceed with her.
