Chapter 9 - THE BODYGUARD WHO CHOSE THE WRONG SIDE
Frankie stood in the doorway.
His face was pale.
His hands were empty.
Desmond looked at him.
"Tell me she's lying."
Frankie swallowed.
"Boss—"
"Tell me."
Silence.
Then Frankie lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
Desmond's expression changed.
For a moment, he looked as though he'd been struck.
"You knew?"
Frankie nodded.
"Not everything."
Desmond laughed bitterly.
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
Frankie's eyes filled.
"Arthur threatened my family."
Desmond stared.
"He said he'd kill my wife and daughter if I didn't cooperate."
I looked at Frankie.
For two weeks, he'd been the man who opened doors, checked security cameras, and brought Desmond coffee.
Now he stood trembling.
Desmond's voice was cold.
"What did you do?"
Frankie swallowed.
"I let them access the garage."
Silence.
"And after the explosion?"
Frankie's voice broke.
"I helped them monitor your care."
Desmond closed his eyes.
For a long moment, nobody moved.
Then he opened them.
"Get out."
Frankie stared.
"Boss—"
"Leave."
Frankie lowered his head.
He turned toward the hallway.
Then stopped.
"Desmond."
Desmond didn't look at him.
"I'm sorry."
The door closed.
I stood beside the wheelchair.
Desmond's hands trembled.
I wanted to touch his shoulder.
But I waited.
Finally, he whispered:
"Everyone."
I frowned.
"What?"
"Everyone I trusted."
His voice broke.
"They all betrayed me."
I knelt beside his chair.
"Not everyone."
He looked at me.
For a moment, neither spoke.
May you like
Then he reached for my hand.
And I let him take it.
