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Again, she was worried about me. It was so foreign. “I’m good.”

Her smile flitted away. “Auclair?”

I shook my head. “We got a location, but he wasn’t there.”

Colt nodded thoughtfully. “He would’ve moved the minute his guy was taken in. I’ll talk with your guys and get the details. I’ll see if any of my local contacts can help.”

Colt was damn good at finding people. “Thanks.”

“I ordered groceries to get delivered,” Frankie said. “I’m going to cook dinner.” She said that with a fierce look.

“Okay.”

Her shoulders sagged. “I’m crap at it, remember?”

“I’m sure you won’t kill us.” I looked at my brother. I knew he’d be eager to get back to Macy and Daisy. “Thanks, Colt.”

My brother headed for the stairs. “Anytime.” He glanced at the kitchen and lowered his voice. “I like your girl. She’s fun and funny, not to mention smart. Just what you need.”

I rolled my eyes. “Go find your woman.”

He smiled and raised his voice. “Bye, Frankie.”

“Bye, Colt. Thanks for being my bodyguard.”

“Anytime.”

As Colt headed down the stairs I looked back. Frankie was dancing a little as she pulled vegetables out of the bags.

I felt that sensation again, a warm, full feeling.

I gritted my teeth. We agreed to no-strings sex. Warm sensations and weird feelings were not allowed.

23

FRANKIE

“I’m good at chopping.” I sliced a knife into the carrot. “You like beef, right?”

“Yes.” Reath had just opened a bottle of red wine. He poured two glasses and handed me one.

“Thanks. I like to think of cooking like an experiment. The ingredients, the recipe, the steps that I need to follow.” I set my shoulders back. “I’ve got this.”

“Relax,” he murmured.

I pulled a face and sipped the wine. “I always burn things, and even when I follow the recipe. Things always go wrong.”

He looked amused. “Something I don’t think you’re used to.”

“No. I was a nerd at school. I wanted to get good grades, and not cause my mom any extra problems.” I sipped again. “She had to go back to work after dad died, and she was heartbroken over losing him.” I looked at the recipe again. “Surely I can cook a simple meal.”

“What can I do to help?”

I stilled. “You’re already doing so much. I’ll never be able to thank you.”

A groove appeared on his forehead. “I don’t want your thanks, Frankie.”

“I know, that’s why I’m attempting to cook you dinner instead. Can you slice the beef?”