Page 25 of Better Watch Out
“So handsome and accessible?”
Frannie thought of the way Andrew’s expression wavered between inconvenienced and concerned. “I mentioned I practically pepper-sprayed him, right?”
“Yes, but you’re not denying he’s handsome.”
Her lips split into a grin. “No, I cannot deny that.”
“Ooh, I can’t wait to get all of the details when you get here tomorrow. If he’s Ryan’s friend, maybe we can find out what he’s doing for the holidays and—”
“Not sure the sting of rejection has worn off yet.”
“Oh, sorry.” But Vivian didn’t sound all that sorry. “I’ve already moved on from … what’s his name again?”
Frannie was about to provide it when she figured out Vivian’s game. “Ah, you’re good.” Yes. Going to D.C. to spend time with Vivian and Jisoo would be just what she needed to get over whatever-his-name-was.
“I’ll text you with my flight details.”
“Can’t wait!”
Ending the call, Frannie tapped her phone against her chin and stared out the window again. Leaving was the right thing to do. Right? It felt right but it also felt like she was … giving up. Giving in.
Why did that guy have to come after her today? If the whole thing hadn’t happened, she had no doubt her decision right now would be different. She wouldn’t be ready to fly to D.C. She wouldn’t be hiding in her hotel room.
Staring up at the sky, Frannie saw small flecks of white falling from the sky. Snow? It was snowing.
“Well, to quote Clark Griswold”—Frannie glared at the snowflakes turning New York City into a giant, magical Christmas snow globe seconds after she decided to leave—“‘If this isn’t the biggest bag-over-the-head, punch-in-the-face I ever got.’”
ChapterTen
Father Time was sadistic. Torturing with seconds that ticked into anxious minutes until they stretched into excruciating hours that had Andrew fighting against the compulsion to get back to Frannie’s hotel and do whatever was necessary to get her to leave the city.
The only reason he hadn’t taken off was because Doug had sent Mac to the 1911 to keep an eye on her, which should’ve eased the worry coursing through him. But for some inexplicable reason, he felt like the only thing that would make him feel better was ifhewas the one there with her. He couldn’t shake the guilt of letting her down. Letting Ryan down. Being the one with her, he could at least redeem himself somehow.
Outside, the sky had darkened, but that didn’t stop Andrew from letting his gaze roam the city streets below in an attempt to locate the general area of Frannie’s hotel. Even with all of the light pollution from streetlights, neon signs, and hundreds of vehicles, he couldn’t help focusing on the shadows that reminded him that danger could be lurking anywhere.
“Mr. Malone is on his way.” Doug checked his cell phone. “He’s already aware of the note and we’ll catch him up on what’s happened but we need to discuss the plan going forward.”
Andrew paused in his pacing. “What do you mean?”
“Whoever sent this threatening note thinks your friend is Ms. Malone.” Doug pressed his lips together like he knew Andrew wasn’t going to like what was coming next. “If we let them believethat, Ms. Malone is safe. Here with Joey. That buys the FBI time to figure out who’s behind this and—”
“Wait.” Andrew blinked. “You want them to go after Frankie?”
“Frankie?”
“Frannie,” Andrew corrected. “Frannie Frost. She’s the sister of FBI Agent Ryan Frost, the man who saved me from Angelo Evola.”
Doug looked thoughtful for a second. “You said she was supposed to leave New York, right?”
“Supposed to,” Andrew said. “But she’s determined to stay.”
“Why?”
Andrew inhaled slowly. Was this going to sound as crazy to them as it had to him when Frannie mentioned it? “She has a bucket list of things she wants to do in New York.” Joey and Doug exchanged a look. “I’ve tried to convince her multiple times to leave but she wants to stay and finish her trip.”
“Why is her brother concerned about her?” Joey folded his arms over his chest, giving Andrew a rare glimpse of the Secret Service agent he used to be.
This was probably going to sound worse than the bucket list thing. “Her boyfriend broke up with her when she got here. She’s from a small town in Georgia and Ryan was concerned about someone taking advantage of her.” Andrew gripped the back of the dining room chair again. “And I don’t think he’s going to be thrilled that we’re allowing her to be confused for Ms. Malone, who now has an active threat against her.”
