Page 73 of Better Watch Out
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Fifty minutes was not enough time. Andrew gazed out of the window of the Citation Mustang as the private jet pitched right over Washington, D.C., giving him a bird’s-eye view of the National Mall.
Frannie’s hand found his as the aircraft’s landing gears hummed to life. He glanced over. “Thanks for coming with me.”
His fingers laced with hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. “I made a promise to your brother.”
She looked disappointed with his answer. “To get me to the airport.” She glanced around the small but luxurious aircraft, compliments of Mr. Malone to get Frannie to D.C. after she missed her flight. “I don’t think this was what he had in mind.”
“Mr. Malone insisted.” After Andrew filled Frannie in on why she had been targeted, he had insisted the plane be inspected twice and the pilots be vetted with a background check Agent Simpkins was more than happy to provide. Andrew rubbed a slow circle with his thumb across the top of her hand. “And I wasn’t quite ready to say good-bye yet.”
Her blue eyes sparkled. “Thank you.” She settled back in the soft leather chair. “Do you think anyone will believe what happened?”
After the police took the fake TSA agents into custody, their confession led to the location of Gerald Kline where he was being held until he made good on the contract he put on his niece. It didn’t take the FBI long to get Mr. Kline to confess his involvement in the investment scheme. It turned out there were several threats against his and Michael Tanner’s life. The plan was to use the money Simon Malone invested in Hope Village charity to pay back who they could but when Simon backed out of the deal, Gerald Kline became desperate just like Valentina said. Thankfully, the Godfather Frannie had run into at the restaurant was an undercover NYPD officer who Doug had sent to the airport as a backup security measure just in case anything went sideways.
In Dallas, Agent Martin interviewed Gerry’s secretary, Barbara Thompson, and she admitted to sending the ransomware threat after she discovered the fraud within the charity. She was also the one who sent the roses with the warning after overhearing Gerald Kline talking about hurting Valentina. Afraid for herself and her family, she hoped the ransomware threat would keep Mr. Malone from going through with the investment into Hope Village and keep Valentina safe as well.
Andrew thought what he’d lived through was unbelievable but listening to Simpkins and the NYPD describe the details of Mr. Kline’s “rob Peter to pay Paul” plot, he knew today could’ve been so much worse. The entire Ponzi scheme had played out like an action movie starring Riggs Atwood, but Andrew wasn’t sure Frannie talking about it was a smart or safe idea.
“You planning on telling everyone what happened?”
“No.” She laughed. “But I was thinking …” Her eyes met his. “What about a book?”
“You want to write a book about this?” Frannie bit her lower lip and he could see the hesitation. She was looking for his approval and more than anything he didn’t want to be the one to hold her back. “What kind of book?”
“Fiction—inspired by true events.” She pulled her hand free, sitting forward. “See, what if there’s this girl and she’s a travel journalist and she goes on these adventures but everywhere she goes there’s some kind of mishap?” Frannie gestured with her hands, her voice rising with excitement. “And my heroine is just trying to write her travel story—you know, visiting landmarks and tourist destinations—”
“She has a bucket list.”
“Yes.” Frannie grabbed his forearm. “And she accidentally gets caught up in the whole big mess and of course, she has to use her skills to help local law enforcement figure everything out just in the nick of time so she can finish her trip, write her story, and plan her next adventure.”
Andrew smiled, watching her watch him with wide eyes, waiting for his response. He tipped his chin, narrowing his eyes. “I didn’t hear you mention the part about the hunky hero who fights the bad guys and protects the girl.”
“Oh, she’ll have a sidekick. He tries to help but accidentally finds himself getting pepper-sprayed or being chased by a good Samaritan. Every story needs some comic relief.”
Andrew grabbed her hand and quickly pulled her toward him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and tucked his lips close to her ear. “He sounds like a great hero but does he get the girl?”
Frannie shivered, nestling her head into his shoulder as she looked up beneath long lashes. A coy smile played on her lips. “You’ll have to read it to find out.”
The silent seconds slipping between them simmered and once more Andrew’s eyes moved to her lips. They were kissably close, just a slight dip of his chin and his lips would find the soft edges of hers. His pulse pounded beneath his skin as he met the intensity in her blue eyes that made him believe she wanted the same thing.
The jerk of the jet’s tires hitting the tarmac caused her forehead to smack into his chin, killing the mood immediately as Frannie laughed, clutching her head.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” She giggled, straightening in her chair. “I might have to make my hero a bit more suave in the romance department.”
Andrew eyed her teasingly before leaning across the armrest. He brushed the hair from her forehead and leaned closer, pretending to inspect a non-existent bump. Frannie’s breath sharpened as he brought his lips to her skin, brushing her forehead ever so softly. He felt her body lean in and he smiled, pulling back slowly. “Maybe your heroissuave but wants to take his time, build up the desire for the perfect moment.”
She swallowed. “That could work.” Her voice was soft and breathless. “But I’ll make sure the hero doesn’t wait too long.”
Andrew didn’t think they were talking about fictional characters anymore. He cupped her cheek, letting his thumb brush against her smooth skin. “I don’t think your hero will wait a second longer than he has to.”
* * *
Frannie had never hateda person in her life, not even her ex, Calvin, but she came pretty darn close to thinking hateful thoughts about their pilot when he swung the cockpit door open, interrupting Andrew fromfinallykissing her.
She’d lost count of the opportunities—the perfect moments—and would’ve started worrying her feelings for Andrew were stronger than his were for her but she’d felt the current of attraction sizzling between them. Helikedher. And she liked him. A lot.
