Page 20 of Charity's Torment

I took my seat, and Max shut the door with extra force. My pistol sat comfortably at the small of my back, and my knife strapped in at the calf beneath my stretchy pants. I went nowhere without these two items. If I wanted to survive in this cutthroat world, I needed to be cutthroat. I needed to be more savage and ruthless than my worst enemy could dream up. If I could be their monster that goes bump in the night, then I had a decent chance of survival. But I always kept in mind that there was someone bigger and badder than me out there, and eventually, I’d get my comeuppance.

With his big brown eyes, cropped hair, and delectable body, Max slid in the driver’s seat, and we made our way silently to the club.

It gave me enough time to think of his lips on my neck and the feel of his arms wrapped firmly around my body, and I wanted it again. I have had dreams of Max before, wanting him to touch me, even if it was innocent.

“I’m going to drop you off, then I’m going home. I have some things I need to get done. Try not to get into trouble.”

Disappointment caused me to bite my cheek. I wanted him to walk in with me, sit with me, have my back. He knew how I could get when I was in this mood. I had cooled off from earlier, but just thinking about it brought in a new resurgence of anger. I rolled my shoulders and sat straight. “I’ll be fine.”

“I know you will be fine. Just don’t do anything to piss him off. You pushed his buttons once today.”

I grinned. “I know, and it was so worth it.”

Max ran his hand down his face and sighed. A bouncer opened my door, but before I could step out, Max grabbed my arm and pulled me back towards him. Keeping one hand on my arm, he wrapped his tattooed hand around the back of my neck and pulled me in close. His lips dust mine, ever so slightly, and I wanted to melt back into my seat and tell him to take me home. I leaned in as he pulled away—the contact missed just as fast as it happened.

“What was that for?” My lungs took in shallow breaths, and my heart fluttered in my chest.

“For good luck.”

I smiled, and he released my arm, allowing me to go raise Cain. I reluctantly stepped out. Couldn’t we just take this back to my place?

The club was hopping. Lasers ran its course across the dance floor, and strobe lights beat in time with the bass. Luca had an entire raised floor in the back, all to himself and his men. The bass hits came in succession and slammed into my chest, vibrating from the inside out.

Luca and Nico sat in the booth overlooking the club scene, both looking to die for. Nico’s black silk button-down with slacks gave me the urge to run my hands down his chest and feel the expensive fabric against my skin. Luca didn’t look much different aside from the deep royal purple button-down that drew out the same feeling. But Luca pissed me off, and I wanted to turn his purple shirt red.

I stepped by Giovanni and through the second rope for the night, into Luca’s lair. I took a seat across from Luca, next to Nico, and watched a blonde bimbo run her claws over him. I had seen this scenario before, and it never bothered me as much as it did tonight.

“Luca. Let’s go talk,” I said, pulling his gaze away from his faker-than-plastic date.

He scowled. Her whispers and giggles stopped.

“Later.”

The blonde looked at me and sneered before nudging her face back to his neck, and I grit my teeth. I recognized her, and I fucking despised this girl. I rubbed Nico’s thigh, subconsciously seeking guidance away from the murderous feelings rushing through my blood. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and tugged me in tight against him, and I gave in to the urge to feel his silk against my skin. I bit my lip as I ran my finger down his chest and fought the itch to do it again. Nico’s stomach muscles flexed against my hand as I rested it there and swirled a finger around a button.

He took my mind from it for a short while until I heard her rollicking laugh, and the rage boiled back up.

Kandy Weir was a high school bully. It was years ago, but just the sight of her face brought back the feelings she could invoke when I was a teen. I had physical strength after Brad beat me, but emotional stability came later when I met Randall—my mentor. He once told me, “Emotions are a gauge or metric between knowledge and obedience. They were never meant to lead.” It was something I always tried to remember, but I never claimed to be perfect.

Now, I was the predator, and Kandy was sitting in the middle of my territory. I sat for too long, watching her hang all over him and taking up my precious time when I could discuss important issues.

A plan ensued—cue innocent Charity.

I sat straight and pulled a random glass from the table and downed it. “Oh my God… Kandy, is that you?” I said loud enough for her and every one of Luca’s men sitting in the area to hear me. Nico’s brows knit together with confusion.

Kandy glared, I couldn’t wait to slap her pompous face. She squinted her eyes. Then they widened with recognition. “Charity?”

“Yeah,” I said with fictitious excitement. I could make cheerleaders look dull and boring, and I’m good at it. My enthusiasm is addictive.

“Wow, look at you… all grown up.” Her brow lifted with mockery.

“That’s kind of what happens. Let’s go get a drink and celebrate. It’s my birthday.” I waved her down off the platform and watched Nico give me a slight shake of his head. He knew my intentions, but he didn’t know what I had planned.

Kandy hesitated, and I added to the motivation. “It’s on me. Come on. Let’s go do some shots.”

She jumped from her seat, and I smirked at Luca as we walked away.

“So, how have you been?” I asked her while studying her slutty olive-green dress. The neckline split her cleavage in two, straight down to her belly, and ropes of the same material held together the slit on the side. The girl looked like she wanted to get fucked by every man here. With her reputation, I’m sure she’d enjoy doing it too. I never knew Luca to go after the easy ones.

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