Cataclysm (Four Horsemen #4)(22)

Penn gave her a nod.

“Haven’t been there myself. He lived down here for a few years. That’s how I met him. He’s a useful sort.”

“You seem to know a lot of those.”

“Part of my job… say, did West talk to you about getting tattooed yet?”

Scarlett’s eyebrows shot up. Her eyes went to West, who merely shrugged. Drake was busy getting the freezer bag out of the back, but I could see him listening to what was being said.

“No, he didn’t.”

The lift arrived, the doors sliding open.

“Well, just so you know, the offer is there if you ever need my services.”

Penn gave her a wink as Prescott pulled her into the lift. She didn’t respond, just gave him a little wave before the doors closed.

“If you’re quite done flirting with our girlfriend,” Drake said, giving Penn a hard stare.

Penn merely smiled at Drake and walked back over to us.

“If you think that was flirting, I clearly need to give you some lessons.”

West barked with laughter. Drake scowled. I put my hand over my mouth. Drake and flirting did not go hand in hand.

“I’d love to see you try,” West said when he settled down. “Drake’s not a very good student.”

Drake merely shoved the bag at Penn, who took it with a graceful smile.

“You can shut the fuck up, West. And you… look after this for us,” Drake ground out, pointing at the bag. “We haven’t decided what we’re going to do with it yet, but we will be sure to let you know when we do.”

Drake didn’t wait for an answer. He stalked away to the lift, hitting the button to wait for it to come back down.

“Someone clearly got out on the wrong side of bed this morning,” Penn said with a grin before he opened the boot of his car and stuffed the bag containing Mason’s head inside it.

“None of us has really slept,” I said with a shrug. “Not to mention West interrupted Scar giving Drake head in the car. Think that soured his mood.”

Penn snorted. Drake would probably kill me for telling him that, but I didn’t care. All I wanted to do was take a shower and fall into bed.

“He did get off though, right? I’m sure she’s not the type to leave a man hanging.”

“Don’t talk about her like that,” West ground out, giving Penn a look. “But yes, he did.” He walked towards where Drake was standing. “I’ll call you.”

I gave Penn a nod, watching him walk around and get in his car before joining the other two. The ride up to our penthouse was silent. Drake was clearly brooding. Neither me nor West wanted to piss him off further. I trudged up the stairs when we left the lift. The five of us had stopped for an early dinner on the way at a service station, so I was ready to sleep.

When I slipped into my bedroom and shut the door, my eyes went to the bed. I stilled when I saw a lump in it. My heart thumped in my chest. I hadn’t expected her to be here. Our night together last week had been rudely fucking interrupted by Mason. Her coming to me had me wanting to get into bed, curl myself around her and never leave again, but I needed a wash first.

I padded into the bathroom, trying not to be too loud as I stripped out of my clothes and got in the shower. The hot water soothed me. I didn’t linger after I’d washed myself, eager to be with my girl even if we were just going to sleep. Drying as fast as I could, I pulled on a pair of boxers, turned out the lights and slid into bed behind Scarlett.

I wrapped myself around her back, curling my arm around her and pinning her to my body. Nuzzling her hair with my face, I breathed her in. She didn’t smell of her usual cinnamon, but that was okay. I was just happy to have her here.

“Frankie,” she breathed out.

“I’m here.”

She turned in my arms and buried her face in my chest, clutching me to her body.

“I missed you so much,” she choked out a moment later. “I know you’re tired, but please kiss me. I need you.”

I took hold of her chin, tipped her face up and found her hazel-green eyes teary.

“Shh, shh, don’t cry. I’ll give you anything you need, Scar.”

Capturing her mouth with mine, I held her close and kissed her, trying to be gentle and sweet, knowing it was what she needed after everything she’d been through.

“I love you,” she murmured against my lips, “I love you so much.”

She kissed her way down my jaw and buried her face in my neck, breathing me in.

“You’re my favourite scent in the whole damn world, you know that.”

I chuckled. Knowing she loved it, I’d slapped on some of my cologne before getting into bed.

“I’ll let you in on a secret. I’ve been having it specially made for years. Your love of apples and cinnamon is something I’ll never forget. I wanted something that reminded me of you wherever I went. It kept me from falling apart and losing hope that we’d get you back one day.”

She tipped her head back, staring up at me with wide eyes.

“That’s… fuck, Frankie, why are you so sweet?”

I reached up and stroked her face.

“Because I love you.”

She leant back into me, brushing her lips against mine.

“Tell me again.”