The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 332

When Hans stepped back into the hospital room, he saw the door standing wide open.

“What happened?” He hurried over, his worry rising with every step.

Both the doctor and Aaron moved in fast to steady him.

“Hans, Franco took Petty.” Aaron’s face was full of regret, his eyes troubled and heavy. “I’m sorry, Hans, I…”

Hans sucked in a tight breath and winced as pain shot through the wound in his stomach. He stared at the empty bed. He had been gone for only a few minutes, and Franco had already shown up.

He glanced at Aaron, seeing how hard the guilt weighed on him. Hans took a slow breath, steadying himself. “Did he hurt you?”

Aaron felt the words hit even harder, knowing Hans was still thinking about him despite everything.

“No. I’m fine.”

He remembered how he instantly went on guard the second Franco appeared. He’d started to suspect Petty’s troubles had something to do with Franco, and he’d sworn not to let that man near her ever again.

But then Jay showed up out of nowhere.

“Do me a favor,” Jay had said, his voice suddenly deep and serious.

The words landed like a punch, making Aaron freeze for a split second. He never imagined Jay, the kind of guy who always acted too proud for anyone, would actually ask him for anything.

But Jay’s “favor” didn’t matter. Petty mattered. He knew where his priorities were.

Still, in that moment of distraction, Jay had managed to take him down—no real fight, not even a scratch, but Aaron couldn’t stop it.

***

A black Bentley slid quietly down the street.

Petty sat trapped, held tightly in Franco’s arms. His large hand rested against her head, holding her face against his chest. The steady thump of his heart pounded in her ear, and the sound made her want to scream.

She couldn’t help the sarcasm. “So where exactly are you taking me?”

Franco’s answer vibrated through his chest, straight into her eardrums. “I’m taking you home.”

Franco, silent and intensely focused, brushed away her tears with his thumb. His eyes were dark, unreadable. He spoke low, his voice barely above a whisper. “Who said you don’t have a home?”

Suddenly, he lowered his head, his chin coming to rest on hers, the scruff on his jaw rough but somehow gentle on her forehead.

“Stay with me tonight.” The sound of his heartbeat and those words echoed deep in her ears.

Then he just held her tighter.

For the first time, Petty felt something different in Franco—a weariness and maybe even a kind of hidden softness that he never let anyone see.

But she wouldn’t let herself get caught by him again. Never again would she risk the heartbreak or the humiliation.

“What about Laura? Go ask her to stay with you.”

Franco didn't move, his expression stubborn. After wiping the last tear from her cheek, he tucked her coat tighter around her. His voice, cool but unmistakably possessive, filled the quiet car. “I only want you.”

That helpless frustration flared up in Petty again. She jerked, trying to smash her head into his chin, but instead she felt something soft brush gently across her forehead.