Rock Redemption (Rock Revenge Trilogy 3)

“Was I ever talking to you?”

“Hmm, I thought so?”

“You left without a word. That is your right.”

“So, you aren’t brassed off?”

“I have no right to be brassed off.” He cocked a brow. “I am your driver. To be…that would mean we’d developed some sort of a friendship. That seems unlikely.” He stared straight ahead while I grinned.

“That it would. Sorry, Frank. I forget that I’m not completely on my own anymore. I spent a lot of years with no one who cared if I lived or died.” I tried to laugh it off. “You probably don’t either, but it’s a paycheck, right?”

His jaw locked and he pulled away from the curb, saying nothing.

Douchecanoe status check. Warning. Abort.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t make jokes. Bad habit.”

“Because no one cared if you lived or died, turn to chapter two of my tale of woe.”

I blinked at Frank. “Okay then.”

“Where exactly are you going?”

The question caused the nest of rattlers in my belly to wake up and stretch. After I told him Simon’s address, I sat back to ponder how to clean up this latest pile of poo I’d stepped into.

A while later, Frank pulled to a stop not far from Simon’s penthouse and waited for me to disembark. I gripped the door handle and took a breath. “Look, I should’ve given you notice I was leaving. I didn’t think you’d even think twice. There are always other assignments. But if you did—think twice, I mean—I’d like to tell you I’m back.”

“Are you now?”

“No. Not exactly.”

“Get out of my car, you asshole.”

It made me laugh. “You remember Zoe?”

“How could I not? She was far too good for the likes of you, but she smiled every time you looked at her.”

“Did she? I’ll try to remember that when she’s using my berries as embellishments on her latest canvas.” I straightened my shoulders. “We ended things, but I’m going to New York to convince her I love her. That I want to marry her and have babies with her and live in beautiful disharmony for the rest of our days.”

“Oh, is that all? I’m sure there’s a Hallmark card for that. Save yourself a trip.”

I had to chuckle. “But I’ll be back afterward. Sooner or later, depending on reception. I hope she’ll be with me. Not sure how Sabrina would react to me living in New York so soon.”

“So, that’s a deal breaker then?”

“No. Life without her is my deal breaker. Anything that means having her by my side is negotiable.” I shrugged. “I can travel if need be.”

“If you make it back here, you know where to reach me.”

“Thanks, Frank. I’ll be back, one way or another. I think this is my new home.” Saying it aloud was oddly freeing.

Believing it even more so.

“Good luck. I recommend spoiling her rotten.”

“Like fruit?”

He laughed. “You’re something else. Like she’s the woman you adore above all else. Seems like you could figure out how to do that.”