Chapter 1
"He never learns."
"Hey! I just saved your life. I've saved yours a bunch of times!"
"No you didn't. I don't remember."
"Did you say no I didn't?"
"Yeah."
"Are you kidding me? Oh let me count the ways…"
"I didn't need you to…"
The door had barely clicked shut when Frankie's body swayed and began to crumble. Will's hand shot out and grabbed the back of her shirt a split second before she hit the deck. In the cramped space of the small porch his only choice was to pull her towards him. His hand slid to her hip as he curled her body into his side, her head landing with a soft thud on his chest.
"Woah, easy there…."
"Thanks."
The word was barely audible. Will felt more than heard it from where Frankie's face was buried in his coat.
They stood like that for a moment steadying themselves.
"Will"
"Yeah?"
"We need to talk."
"I know."
"Tonight…"
"Already on it."
Frankie let Will help her down the stairs. This was the longest she'd allowed him to touch her and the realization didn't go unnoticed by Will. As they descended towards the car Will's free hand reached into his pocket. He slid his comms into his ear as they stepped onto the driveway.
"Jai?"
"I'm here."
"Did you finish that thing we talked about earlier?"
"Ready and waiting for go time."
"What are you up to Whiskey?"
Will held Frankie against him as he reached to open the door. Her body all but collapsed into the seat. A brief flash of concern crossed Will's face as he gently closed her door. By the time he'd rounded the car and slid into the driver's seat Frankie had tilted her head back against the rest and shut her eyes.
The familiar crackle and hiss of the encryption software buzzed quietly through the car. The onboard navigation glowed to life.
"Downloading your route now. Should only take a few seconds."
"Got it."
"Francesca?"
"Yes Jai."
"Is this it?"
"Yeah Jai, this is it."
Will sat in silence contemplating the exchange. He knew Jai and Frankie shared a long and dark past but he hadn't pushed for details. He knew she'd tell him when she was ready. Still, Jai calling her Francesca touched something deep inside him that he couldn't explain. Nobody called Frankie that. Nobody but Jai.
"Whatever happens Frankie, I got your back."
"Thanks Jai."
"Love you."
"Love you too Jai."
Will broke in, "Jai did Standish hack the utilities data?"
"Yes, Will, I've primed your little love shack on the beach. Anything for you Dad."
Will rolled his eyes.
"Thank you Standish. You have my permission to stay out past curfew tonight. Tell Tina I said she's got babysitting duties."
Will could feel Standish's eyes roll through the comms. Frankie chuckled. It was a good sign.
"Hey Jai, we're going totally off grid."
"Copy that. For how long Will?"
Will stole a glance at Frankie. She was in the same position but he knew she was alert to the conversation.
"24 hours at least? Maybe 36?"
"Ok, if we haven't heard from you in 36 I'm engaging the remote access."
"Agreed. Oh and Jai?"
"Yeah?"
"Disarm the nanotrackers too ok?"
Will heard him sigh.
"Ok."
"Have fun guys," Susan all but squealed through the comms.
Even with them closed Will saw Frankie's eyes roll. They both slid the comms out of their ear and deposited the devices in the armrest. Will shifted the car in reverse and started to back out of the driveway. Frankie stole a hooded glance at the front of the house. Kelly stood smiling in the window. Frankie pressed a hand against the passenger window. Kelly did the same and nodded, still smiling from ear to ear.
They drove in silence for a few minutes. Will caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. Frankie was sliding her hand into the pocket of the door. As he waited she extracted a CD case. Without opening her eyes Frankie flipped it open and took a disc out. She slid it into the sound system. Will heard the encryption software engage again. Curious but not wanting to ruin the moment he focused on his driving. The gentle tones of Pachelbel's Canon began to drift through the speakers. Frankie sighed. Her hand drifted slowly from the sound controls down to where Will's hand rested on the gear shift. He felt her palm connect with the back of his hand. It was warm and soft. He shifted his thumb slightly to curl around her pinkie as her fingers gently closed around his own. Will swallowed hard.
"We've got a few hours before we get there. Why don't you get some rest?"
"You sure? I can drive…."
"Nope, this is my surprise. You're just along for the ride this time."
Frankie's mouth curled into a smile. It didn't take long. Will felt her sink into the seat and heard her breathing even out. It was the most relaxed he'd seen her in days. The past 48 hours had been hard on her, both physically and mentally. She'd aged but in the glow of the dash she looked more beautiful than he'd ever thought possible. He gently lifted her hand and placed it in her lap with a soft pat before reaching up to stroke her cheek. So soft. So warm. Reluctantly he pulled it away and put both hands on the steering wheel. The impending nor'easter was already buffeting the sedan. Will wished fleetingly they'd rented something with 4-wheel drive as he settled back in his seat.
The ride was long and not without challenges, the weather being the least of them. Frankie had snoozed peacefully for the first fifteen minutes. Will had just drifted into the peaceful rhythm of the music when the first wave hit her. She groaned, quietly at first, then more audible, more restless. Her hand gripped the seat as her body began to tense. Will slid a hand from the steering wheel and closed it around her knuckles.
"Shhhh…. hey, Frankie, it's me. You're ok hun."
She quieted and seemed to drift back to sleep. It lasted another fifteen minutes.
After the fourth episode Will pulled the car to the side of the road and parked. He unfastened both of their seatbelts and slid Frankie across into his lap. Her face was contorted in pain and she barely noticed the change. Will stroked a thumb across her cheek, registering the slight bruising starting to blossom where that monster had kicked her earlier. Will flashed back to that moment.
He knew Frankie could handle herself but in that instant when Daniel's henchman had Frankie pinned to the desk a primal rage had ripped through Will. He knew it would end badly if he just stood there. Time froze as he lifted his gun and fired. At first he wasn't sure if he'd reacted in time. Then he saw the man crumple to the floor. For an instant he thought he'd been too late. But then Frankie popped up all fire and rage and he let himself breath again.
Frankie shifting on his lap brought him back to the present.
"Hey, you're back."
Frankie rubbed her eyes and tried to push away from him.
"What happened? Where are we?"
"You're safe. That's all that matters."
Will mentally shook the fading memory from his head and focused on her.
Frankie stared at him. Confusion melted away to realization of their current situation. Her face flamed red hot. So hot Will felt it on his forehead. Without hesitating he ducked his head and captured her lips with his own. She froze then melted into him. The kiss seemed to last forever. Frankie was the first to break the contact. She pushed back again as far as the steering wheel would allow. With eyes wide she watched as Will's eyes slowly opened and that goofy grin snaked across his lips. A chuckle slipped from her throat to her lips and then transformed into a full belly laugh. Will's face contorted in confusion.
"Come on now, it wasn't that bad was it?"
Frankie snorted as her laugh subsided to giggles.
"What am I going to do with you Whiskey?"
Will's face went blank.
"I could make a few suggestions…."
Frankie playfully swatted his chest.
"Ok, enough nookie… for now," Frankie deadpanned as she climbed off his lap and back into her own seat. She didn't miss the deflated look on Will's face. Once she was back on her side of the car she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you again."
"For what?"
"Everything."
For a moment Will sat rethinking his plan. This was a bad idea. He should just turn the car around and take her back to New York. The click of Frankie's tongue broke him out of his pity party.
"Hey, are we going to get there tonight or just sleep here on the side of the road?"
"Nag, nag, nag…"
His words trailed off as she slid a hand across his lap and rested it dangerously close to the zipper on his jeans.
"Just drive ok?"
"Yes ma'am," Will choked out. He hastily punched the ignition and shifted the car into drive, feeling the tires spin then grip as he gunned the engine. Frankie stole a sly look sideways at him then settled back into the seat, enjoying the fact that she had him rattled.
She had just drifted off again, or so it seemed, when she felt the change from pavement to gravel. The sound of the tires crunching on rocks brought her back to conscious thought. With a small start she realized her hand was still in a very provocative position on Will's lap. She briefly contemplated the possibilities before ever so slightly sliding it towards her body. Will didn't miss the action. His hand was lightning-quick in grabbing hers and pulling it back to rest on his thigh. She gasped then a smile slowly curled her lips. Without taking her eyes off the road ahead she closed her fingers around his thigh and heard him gasp audibly.
"Not fair!"
"What do you mean not fair? I was just trying to be polite as I've been asleep and totally unaware of what my hand was doing."
"Uh huh, right…."
Frankie clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. She could feel Will's grin before she even glanced his way. He was staring straight ahead grinning from ear to ear.
"Men!" she huffed.
"We're here."
Frankie looked through the windshield. Through the blowing snow she could just make out the shape of the old lighthouse. The waves were pounding loud enough to be heard through the closed windows. The nor'easter was in full swing. Will turned toward her.
"You ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
They both donned their coats. Frankie chewed on her lip as she opened the car door and climbed out into the wind. Will did the same and rushed to shield her from the worst of the storm. They walked quickly up the stone path and onto the little porch at the front of the structure. Frankie peeked in the window next to the door and saw a single warm glow emanating from the interior. Will produced a small key from his coat pocket and slid it into the lock.
"There we go."
He turned toward Frankie. She was staring at him totally confused.
"What?"
"How? When?"
"Look we can stand here playing 20 questions or get out of this storm before we both freeze to death."
Will held the door open for her. With a quick last glance in his direction she set a tentative foot inside. Will all but shoved her in the room and slammed the door behind them.
Frankie jumped.
"Sorry, guess the wind caught it."
She watched as he shook the snow off his coat and rubbed his hands to warm them. Frankie stood stock still, afraid to move in case this was just another dream.
"Hey, what's going on in that head of yours?"
Will stepped to her and smoothed the hair around her face. His hand lingered longer than he planned. When he looked at her eyes she was still staring at him. He fidgeted a bit under the weight.
Will could normally read her pretty well but in this moment, standing here in the lighthouse totally cut off from everything, he wasn't sure if he should say something or take cover.
So he did the next best thing he could think of. He tipped his head down to her and placed the sweetest softest kiss on her lips. As he straightened he could feel her eyes on him before he actually looked at her.
"Ok, you're kind of freaking me out. Should I be looking for the nearest solid object before you pull your gun?"
Frankie's face broke at his words. She roared with laughter.
"I'm not going to shoot you if that's what you're thinking."
Will visibly relaxed as a nervous chuckle escaped his lips. He closed the space between them and wrapped his arms around her.
"Thanks. I think…"
She turned in his embrace to scan the room they had just entered. He didn't let go and just stood quietly with his arms wrapped around her stomach. She wondered if he could feel the flips and flops through her coat. Will pulled her back into him and she didn't fight the contact. He rested his chin on the top of her head. After a beat he couldn't stand it anymore.
"Well? How'd I do?"
"Again, how? When?"
"Remember when I went into the kitchen and let you talk to Kelly?"
"Uh huh…"
"Jai was more than happy to get the ball rolling. It's good to have friends in high places."
"Yeah, it is."
Frankie slipped from his embrace and walked around the room. She took her coat off and draped it over the loveseat near the fire. She kept going until she reached the floor to ceiling windows on the other side of the room. Will watched in silence as she moved across the room. Frankie stood and stared out at the waves crashing through the storm. The snow was falling heavy now and it was hard to see beyond the cliffs below. In the reflected glow of the fire she watched him slowly make his way across the room until he stood beside her. Without a word she slid her hand into his and squeezed. He took that as an opening.
"What happened back there in the car on the side of the road?"
Frankie's shoulders sagged.
"Hey…"
He turned and placed a finger under her chin. She dropped her eyes to the floor.
"Don't do this Frankie. Not here. Not now. Don't shut me out. Please…. just talk to me."
She inhaled deeply and slowly lifted her eyes to meet his.
"Ok, we'll talk. But can we open some wine first?"
"Yeah, sure."
They turned in silence, not breaking the contact of their hands, and walked to the little kitchenette tucked into a corner of the room. Frankie slid onto one of the bar stools as Will dug through a drawer looking for the corkscrew. He spun and brandished the tool like a trophy.
"Bring back memories?"
Frankie smiled and nodded.
"Yes, good memories."
He smiled back as he grabbed the wine bottle off the counter. Frankie pulled two glasses off a rack suspended over the small bar and set them on the counter. Will slid onto the stool next to her and began to fill their glasses. Frankie watched his deft movements marveling at his hands. So big and strong yet gentle when needed. Her face flushed at the memory of them on her hips in the car.
"Hey, where'd you go just now?"
Startled out of her drifting thoughts she just giggled and glanced at him over the rim of her glass as she lifted it to take a sip. Realization flooded over his face and he flushed a bit.
After Will poured their second glass he mustered up the courage to break the silence they'd settled into.
"Are you ready now?"
Frankie nodded.
"Yes."
Will waited.
Frankie swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
"You know that CD I played in the car? Pachelbel's Canon?"
Will nodded and took her hand. Frankie shivered at his touch but pressed on.
"It was my dad's favorite song. He played it anytime he was struggling with something. He said it calmed his mind. When my mom was pregnant with me he suggested she listen to it to help with my restless kicks. I wasn't an easy pregnancy according to them."
Will gasped, "Color me shocked," he said as he feigned surprise.
Frankie swatted him on the shoulder then continued.
"That song reminds me of them. When they first started dating my dad took my mom to the symphony. The first song the orchestra played was Pachelbel's Canon. I guess my dad felt it was a good luck charm because that was the night he fell totally and completely in love with my mom. According to him, the next day he ran out and bought up every copy he could get his hands on. He never wanted to be without the song that brought so much joy into his life."
Frankie stole a glance at Will. He was staring at her lost in the beauty of her story. Frankie took a gulp of wine and pressed on.
"When I was in eighth grade I skipped out of school one afternoon."
Will gasped again trying to lighten the mood. Frankie smirked and shot him a look of gratitude.
"I know… I told you I was no angel back then."
Will just nodded as he sipped his wine.
"I remember riding my bike through the back alleys not even sure where I would go. Eventually I just headed for home. I dropped my bike inside the back gate and walked across the yard. I could hear the music coming through the window as I was about to climb the back steps. I froze thinking I was totally busted. Then I heard them. They were giggling and whispering like two school kids. I slipped as quietly as I could to the window… Yes, even back then I guess I had innate spy skills."
Will snorted. Frankie rolled her eyes. She toyed with her wine glass, lost in her memories. Will reached out and gently stroked her arm.
"Continue?"
Frankie took a deep shuddering breath and went on.
"I lifted myself up just high enough to peek in the window without being detected. And I froze. There they were dancing and nuzzling each other. My dad was murmuring something in my mom's ear and she was giggling. I was mesmerized as they slowly spun around the living room floor. Here were the two people I thought were evil incarnate at the time being so soft and gentle with each other. My world flipped on its tail. All I could do was stare in disbelief."
Frankie's words trailed off. Will was in awe just watching her relive the memory. Her face softened in a way he'd never seen before. After a moment he quietly cleared his throat. It brought her back to the present. She blinked and looked at him with such emotion he thought he might fall off his stool.
"Tell me more."
Frankie shrugged and broke the contact. Will slid his hand across the bar and toyed with her fingers that were gripping her glass.
"Please?"
Without looking up Frankie went on.
"Not much more to tell. I managed to lose my grip on the windowsill and fell flat on my back in a clatter of glory."
Will's mouth dropped open and he laughed. Frankie giggled.
"You busted yourself?"
"Yep, right there in the backyard, window wide open, for all the world to see. And hear. It didn't take them long to figure out what was going on. I tried to high-tail it out of there before they realized it was me but Dad was always on his toes even when you thought he wasn't. He was out the door and towering over me before I could even climb out of the bushes that had me trapped."
Will laughed a deep soulful rumble that came from deep inside his chest.
"Frankie the assassin couldn't get away from her daddy?"
Frankie chuckled.
"Nope, I just lay there frozen staring up at him and watched his face go through a myriad of reds until it eventually erupted from his lips. I don't think a single person in a 3-block radius missed the earth-shattering Francesca that roared out of him."
Will snickered.
"What happened then?"
"Mom came out and told him to mind his tone, the neighbors would hear. He reached down and grabbed my shirt and all but dragged me up the back steps into the house."
"And?"
"I was grounded for a month. No bike, no friends over, just school and home. I guess it could've been worse but at the time I thought he was the most evil man on the face of the planet."
Will nodded and took another sip of wine. Frankie drained her glass and fell silent.
She drifted away again. Will sat watching her for a minute and let her have the moment.
Frankie cleared her throat.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Are we good? I let you in. No walls anymore."
Will slid off his stool and pulled her to him.
"We're good. For now. But I'm going to need a lot more eventually."
Frankie tipped her head up to meet his eyes and nodded. Will pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He gently kissed her again then taking her by the hand he led her across the room. He stopped in front of the fire and turned her into his embrace.
"Frankie, I…."
She placed a finger gently on his lips to stop him.
"No more ok? Not tonight."
"Ok."
He let his body speak the words she didn't want him to say. Frankie gasped as his fingers played with the edge of her shirt. He ducked his head and placed feather light kisses along the opening at the top while his hands inched the bottom up over her stomach and kept going. Everywhere he touched her her skin bristled with goosebumps. A burn so intense it made her shudder began somewhere deep inside and raced through her until it slipped out her lips. She groaned. He took that as consent and backed her slowly to the couch, lowering her until her body was pinned beneath him. His hands never left her skin as he slid the shirt up over her head and gently caressed her cheek on their journey back down. Their eyes locked and she poured every unspoken word into that connection. He stopped for a minute lost in her eyes.
"Don't stop…" she rasped.
He placed butterfly kisses along her jaw from one ear to the other as his hands continued to scorch her skin on their lazy path to the top of her pants. He flicked a finger under the waistband and felt her shudder again. He smiled into the soft dip just below her ear.
"You liked that?"
Her eyes flew open and pinned his with such fire he thought he might explode right there. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled his lips to hers. The kiss was nothing short of blistering. They both grew dizzy and gasped, trying to drag air into their deprived lungs. Frankie's hands flew to the back of his shirt and she clawed at it trying desperately to get the tight material over his head.
"Hey, hold on…. I'll help."
Will left her for a moment to pull the shirt over his head. She was on him before he could get his arms out of the sleeves. Her lips trailed fiery kisses across his chest as her hands snaked over his back. She was strong. Will lost his balance and they toppled to the floor entangled limbs bumping on the way down. They landed with a thud on the wood floor. Frankie giggled. Will chuckled too. She lay on top of him and scorched him with the intensity of her gaze.
"Frankie, I…."
"Don't say it Will. Show me."
Her hands found his and their fingers laced together. She placed the most tender of kisses on his lips then proceeded to cover his entire face with kisses. Will's eyes rolled up in his head as her hand slipped down over his bare skin and stopped on the button of his jeans. His eyes flew open. She was staring at him again. Any other time Frankie's stare would make him squirm but not tonight. Tonight he drank her in. He needed her and she needed him just as much.
