Franco's Fortune (Redemption Book 2) by Cara Marsi Page A

into hers.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
    Dazed, she touched her lips, but no words would
come.
    He gathered her to him, tucking her head under his
chin.
    Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his
waist. She felt serene for the first time in a very long while. She
could stand on her own, always had. Surely, it wouldn’t hurt to
allow herself to be comforted, if only for a little while. She
should be soothing Franco. He’d been hurt last night. He could have
been killed. Yet, he was the one comforting her. She snuggled
closer. The man had unexpected depths. The playboy she could
handle. This new Franco held more danger.
    A heavy dose of reality intruded and she pulled
away. A glance at the wall clock told her it was five o’clock. The
world was waking up.
    “You can’t go to work today,” she said. “Rest. We’ll
take care of the window and the new door.”
    “I have to go to work. I’ve got a big meeting with
an important client. My staff’s put in a lot of work. I can’t let
them down.” He headed toward the foyer, then turned around,
frowning. He crossed the space between them.
    “I had something I wanted to say.” He touched her
lips with his fingers. “But you distracted me.”
    “What?” Anxiety and the heat of his touch sent
hot-cold shivers up her arms.
    “That note made up my mind about something.” He took
one of her hands in his. “Those creeps made a direct threat against
you. It’s no longer just about me. They’ve got it in for you
too.”
    “They won’t get to me. That was posturing to scare
you.”
    “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said, his
voice low and even. “I’m calling Logan today and having you taken
off the case. You’re not safe here.”
    Anger shot through her with the speed of a bullet
and she yanked free. “You. Will. Not call Logan and tell him I
can’t do my job.”
    “That’s not what I meant. I…Jo, why do you hire
yourself out like this?”
    She glared at him. “You make me sound like a
prostitute. I help people. I keep them safe when they’re
threatened. It’s what I do.”
    He backed up and straightened. “I didn’t mean to
offend you. I admire what you do, Jo. I do. I just…I don’t want you
hurt.”
    “I can take care of myself, Callahan. I don’t need
you or anyone else to worry about me.”
    A knock sounded at the door. “There’s Harris,” she
snapped.
    Then strode to the door, feeling totally
unprofessional.
    ***

Chapter Seven
    A fter the glass people
replaced the broken window and the door company installed the new
steel back door, Jo snagged a few hours sleep, but it didn’t help
much. Even three cups of coffee couldn’t clear the cobwebs in her
head. The quiet of the house pressed around her as she searched the
refrigerator and freezer for tonight’s dinner. After the night and
morning she and Franco had endured, Jo craved comfort food and
needed some major de-stressing. She’d make Franco stay home tonight
and rest. If he even dared try to go out, she’d hog-tie him and sit
on him. A small chuckle escaped her as she imagined how well that
would go over with him.
    Franco had a well-stocked pantry and refrigerator,
surprising for a bachelor. She didn’t like to admit it, but she
enjoyed cooking and was pretty good at it. She dug a container of
spaghetti sauce out of the freezer, along with a small loaf of
Italian bread, then found a package of pasta in the pantry. Add a
salad and garlic bread, and they’d have a decent meal. She glanced
at the clock. Almost five. Franco should be home soon. He’d
promised to cut his hours short today.
    She’d defrost the sauce in the microwave to cut down
on time, then heat it on the stove. While the water boiled for the
pasta and the sauce heated she’d make the salad and prepare the
garlic bread. She felt calmer already.
    Her cell phone rang. She slid it from the pocket of
her fatigues. Harris’ number blinked on her screen. “Hey,” she said
into the phone.