Boston Blood

Sixty five

Frankie watched in shock as Cillian continued to up-end the room around her. He told her to grunt and make noises of pain but his lingering words of his so-called plan were swimming around her mind, rendering her frozen in place. It was never going to work. They were going to kill her regardless and there was nothing she could do.

A loud thudding on the door behind her made her jump and before she could blink, Cillian was standing in front of her, shielding her trembling body behind his. "Cillian, you about done in there, stud? Is she gonna talk or what? I'm running out of patience here." Aidan sounded almost giddy as Cillian turned to Frankie, his usual bright blue eyes, black with fear and trepidation. He kissed her on the forehead and whispered; "just do everything I tell you to do and follow my lead, okay? You're gonna make it out of here. I swear to you."

He held her face in his hands and she peered up at him before placing her small, pale hands over his. "He killed your dad, Cillian. I know how much you want to kill him but if anything happens to you I'll never forgive myself." He placed his forehead against hers, shushing her gently. "If I don't get the chance to say it again I just want you know that I'm so glad I met you. You're the strongest person I've ever met and I hope once you get out of here you can live the life you deserve. I want you to get away from all of this shit and be happy. I am so sorry for everything."

The tenderness yet desperation in Cillian's voice made Frankie's heart pound against her chest. She stared into the eyes of the man she hated, the man who had made her life hell these past few months but all she could feel as his bottom lip started to shake was affection and gratitude.

"Come on Cillian, rap it up!" Damien yelled and Frankie jumped, grabbing onto Cillian's arm. "Everything will be okay, I promise."

Frankie nodded and took a deep breath as she was met with the sulking, sweaty face of Damien. "Have fun, Frankie? Did Cillian get you to talk? I'm sure he was very.. persuasive." Damien leaned in towards Frankie and she winced at his disgusting breath. "Enough, Damien. Cillian, are we good?" Aidan's stead voice danced across the room as he stared Frankie down from behind his whiskey glass. Cillian nodded and pulled on Frankie's arm dragging her half way across the room. She landed on the floor and grimaced with pain as she tried to avoid Cillian's worried gaze. She knew this wasn't going to be easy. They weren't through with her yet but she knew she had the stamina to take a few more hits, she just hoped Cillian wouldn't lose his shit and give everything away.

Aidan crouched down and grasped Frankie's chin in his hand, roughly. "Marvellous. See, that wasn't so bad now was it, Frankie? I know my nephew has always been a hit with the ladies but I never dreamed he's be capable of fucking information as life changing as this from some slut. Maybe I should get him to give me some pointers, you think?" Aidan laughed sadistically and threw Frankie further onto the floor before he wrapped his massive arm around Cillian's neck. "So proud of you, son. Looks like we're about to be off the hook. Where are we headed?"

Cillian smiled and the seemingly effortless-ness of the way his face lit up made Frankie shiver. He was a good fucking actor. "It's in Brighton."

Aidan smirked and nodded to Damien who had Frankie up by the neck before she could even blink. She saw Cillian freeze as Damian removed his gun and held it right above her heart. "Finally, well, thanks for the memories, love. It's been a pleasure." Frankie tried not to look at Cillian but his gaze was like a magnet and she locked eyes with him before closing her eyes. She heard Damien cock the gun and waited for the inevitable bang.

"Wait! Are you fucking stupid or something? We can't kill her yet, I don't trust this bitch for one second and we need her alive until we have that fucking list in our hands." Cillian kept his voice steady but when Frankie's eyes shot open he looked like he was about to pass out. Damian pulled the gun back and Frankie felt lightheaded when she started to breathe again. "You really think she might be lying?" Aidan chimed in, sounding both nervous and amused at the same time.