TIGERLILLY- THE BRAVO BOYS [book two]

Chapter FIFTY ONE

Frankie Xiao

Anxiety ridden and fearful, I pace the living room floor back and forth, over and over again, wearing tracks into the carpet.. When I hear the lock click and the doorknob jiggle, I race across the room to tear it open.. "River! You're home!"

I throw myself into his athletic arms and he catches me with ease.. Chuckling in musical relief, River lifts me up to bury his nose against my neck as he kicks the door closed behind him.. "Mmmhh-- did'ya miss me then, My Sweetling?"

"Yes! I was so worried!" I pepper his face in kisses as he carries me through the apartment to the kitchen where he sets me carefully on the counter..

"Ney, there's nothin' to worry about.. I told ye' I'd be alrite'.." He grins, taking the whiskey from on top of the fridge and a glass from the cupboard to pour himself a drink.. Something I've come to notice that he only does when he is stressed.. "Ye' Da' were a hape delight to do business with.."

River leans against the counter beside me, watching me carefully before he begins to move restlessly around, fixing his hair and fidgeting with the cap of the whiskey bottle between his fingers.. He isn't usually so antsy after a day of work and it makes me a little uneasy to see him behaving so strange.. Almost as if he isn't telling the truth..

But he promised me he'd never lie..
He wouldn't..
Would he?

I squint at him, not believing in his description of my father as 'delightful' in the least.. "He really wants me back?"

River nods, sipping at his drink.. "O'Aye.. He wants ye' back alrite', it's the only reason I'm still breathin'.. That and whatever it was ye' said to him on the phone.. Which was what exactly?"

Guilt gargles deep down within me, because he is not the liar.. I am..
I hate to keep a secret from him, but some things I just can't say.. For his own good..

I said what had to be said to Father Fei..
I did something terrible so that River could be safe and free.. But I am not so sure he would understand it.. And I'm not convinced he would forgive me if he knew.. "I--I--um-- I told him nothing really.. Like you said.. Only that you would bring me home.."

His jade-stone stare narrows on me for a long, scrutinising moment but soon softens to a glittering gaze that makes my skin sparkle all over.. "Aye.. Yer' goin' home, Frankie.."

"Oh, wow.." I sigh as the anxiety, apprehension and eager excitement begin to blend together, building up as a pressure behind my eyes.. "I never thought I'd see him again.."

"That'd be his worst nightmare.." River steps forward to smooth his fingers through my rosy-pink hair.. "It'd be mine too.."

I nod, dizzy with self-doubt.. "And mine.."

"We have to make the deal this week, I didn'ae get the sense he'd wait too much longer.. Are ye' ready for that, Wallflower?" He sets the half drunk glass down beside me and I pick it up to finish it for myself, hoping that it might relieve some of my own stress..

"Ick!" I wince and cough as the warming firewater races down my throat to burn in my belly.. "I am ready.. But--"

"But what, baby?" He cocks his head to one side and coo's, calling on me to confide in him..

"I really don't want to leave you and Lovey.." My eyes fill with tears..

"Lovey n' me will still be here, baby.. Always.. This is temporary, it's just the way it's gotta be for now.. Fei can protect ye' and provide for ye' , he can give ye' all the things I can't, all that yer' worth.. And he loves ye', Frankie.. But I still have to prove me'self to him.. Ye' see that.. Don't ye'?" His fingers drum a repetitive, rhythmic pattern on the countertop..