Page 124 of Average Joe

“Thank you.”

Frank stormed through the door thirty minutes later and found me blindly skimming a community events packet.

“Marley.” He approached, sans uniform, and sat next to me on the small, and might I add, uncomfortable bench.

His brown eyes held wisdom and fiercely protective resolve.

“I was being followed,” I blurted. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to drive home. I couldn’t call Joe.”

Frank was tall and built, so when he leaned forward, elbows to knees, I was shielded from any onlookers. “You did the right thing. Do you know who was following you?”

“There’s this guy at work. He’s a regular, never given me trouble—”

“Logan Shaw,” he mumbled. “The guy that drives the Prius?”

My voice trembled. “How do you know about Prius Guy?”

“Joe asked me to run his plates.”

“That motherfuck—”

“That doesn’t matter right now,” Frank cut me off. “Tell me everything.”

I relayed all the details. Frank hmmed. Nodded. Didn’t say a word until I finished.

“And that’s it. I drove straight here. Didn’t want to talk to anyone else. I don’t like cops much, no offense, so I asked for you.”

“You can always ask for me. Got it?” He laid an open palm on my thigh. “Give me your phone.”

I complied, unlocking the screen before handing my cell over.

Frank pulled up my contacts and entered more than one number. “There. You’ve got my personal number and direct work line. I also added Con’s cell and work numbers. You have any issues, ever, you call us.”

“Con’s not a cop.”

“But Con will be there for you at the drop of a hat.”

Instead of askingwhy, orare you for real?I said,”Thank you.”

“Let me do a sweep of the area, make sure he’s not stupid enough to stick around and wait for you to leave.” He pushed from his sitting position, then dropped back down. “Unless you want to stay with Cyn and me tonight.”

“Oh, no. But thank you.”

“You sure?” He stood and shot me a killer wink, his grin exposing dimples I’d never noticed. “She makes a mean omelet.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’d really like to sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“Sit tight.” His heavy hand landed on my shoulder. “I’ll text you in a few, let you know it’s okay to go, then follow you home.”

“Thank you, Frank.”

“Anything for Joe’s girl.”

“I’m not his girl.”

He chuckled, then shouted over his shoulder on his way out the door, “That’s what Cyn says, even though she’s wearing my engagement ring.”

Twenty minutes passed before I got the go-ahead, and fifteen minutes later, I was home. Frank did a sweep of my house, dodging licks and nudges from two riled-up mutts, and dropped a kiss on my forehead before leaving.

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