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Trust.
Love.
This is what I dreamed for them. Nothing is impossible.
I am theirs, and they are mine. For the first time in a long time, we’re whole.
57
Kodiak
—
The last three days have been the happiest in memory. I could spend the rest of my life in bed with Frankie and my brothers. I don’t want to give it up. The world outside can wait.
But it seems the world has other plans.
Frankie’s phone buzzes, the sound cutting through the tranquil morning. She answers it, and her expression changes, a collision of concern and determination hardening her features.
She hangs up, scrambles from our tangle of naked bodies, and hurries into the walk-in closet.
“A cruise ship docked in port,” she shouts from behind the door. “Half of the passengers have the stomach flu.” She breezes out, her mind on a mission as she drags on her scrubs mid-stride. “They didn’t know they were infected until after they carried it into our town. The hospital is overrun, and they need all hands on deck. I have to go.”
All three of us shoot up in the bed.
“Frankie, no.” A knot tightens in my stomach.
“We just got you back.” Leo climbs out and prowls toward her, shamelessly nude. “We’re not letting you go.”
He grabs her, buries his nose in her neck, and presses his hips against her.
“Put that thing away.” She laughs, pushing against his stomach. “I’m serious.”
Monty swings his legs over the side of the bed and braces his elbows on his knees.
Voice hard, he gives her his stoniest expression. “How do we change your mind?”
Her green eyes soften as she treads to him and cups his unshaven jaw. “You handsome devil, how many times have we argued about this over the years? How many times have I changed my mind?” She kisses the angry slash of his lips. “This is my career. My purpose outside of this room. I know you all understand that.”
I do understand. I have my distillery, my own sense of purpose, and hard work. I never want to hold her back, but the fear of losing her is a snarling, rabid beast inside me.
“We’ll go with you.” Leo paces around her, flexing his hands.
“What part of stomach flu do you not understand? It’s contagious.” She pulls on her sneakers. “You’re staying here, all of you, until this is under control.”
I know we won’t win this. Leaving the bed, I remove a pair of lounge pants from Monty’s dresser and drag them on.
“What about you? You’re exposing yourself to this thing.” Leo walks through the room, gathering her hair ties, earbuds, coat, and purse.
“Risks of the job. But we wear PPE to minimize exposure.” She takes his face in her hands, halting his movements. “I’ll come back. I promise.”
“Holding you to that, love.” He helps her get ready in silent concentration, handling her gently as if she’s flammable.
He’s the one who’s close to combustion. His tenderness disguises the Molotov cocktail blazing beneath his skin.
“You’re not going alone.” Monty snags a pair of sweatpants from the floor and hauls them on. “You’ll take a security team.”
She nods, knowing it’s the only way we’ll let her leave.
