Page 27 of Charity's Torment

“Okay. Well, since I can’t do the hit right now… you can pick up Jose—”

“—Not this again,” Luca interrupted.

“I still haven’t heard from my brother, Luca. I’m worried something has happened. Let me question him.” I was impatient and irritated. I itched to take care of Jose if only to break a few bones.

“If you can’t take care of Karen, then you can’t take care of Jose. It would piss off Pops with your priorities.”

I stood from my chair and leaned over the desk. “It’s not my goddamn priorities, Luca. I have someone watching me for God knows what reason. You can pick up Jose and—”

“—Watch your mouth, Charity,” Luca chastised.

“Or what?”

“Charity,” Nico and Max said in unison.

“This is bullshit.”

I turned my back and walked out. I hit the end of the hall and slumped in the corner, fisting my hair and pulling hard. My emotions were getting the better part of me. I needed to find control. I was acting rashly and challenged Luca. That was so foolish.

Max sat next to me, wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and placed a kiss on my head. “It’ll be okay.”

I nodded, keeping my head down, and practiced my breathing. I saw red. I was lusting for blood, and I wasn’t getting it. I wasn’t allowed to save my brother, and it was crawling under my skin like a parasite feasting on my bones. I released my hair from my hands and slipped over Max’s lap, straddling him. I needed to feel something other than my rage. Would he allow it? Would he take my mind to a new world, at least just for a little while, and help me forget this mess I’ve found myself in?

He licked his lips, then clenched his jaw. I crashed my lips to his, mixing our tongues and threading my fingers through his hair, and tugged. My pulse beat against my throat like drums beating hard at a concert. Could he give me what I needed?

Max grunted, and he tore away from my kiss. “Charity, just wait.” He pulled my hands from his hair and clasped my wrists.

I twisted my wrists and scrambled away, breaking contact with him. I couldn’t look at him. I jumped to my feet and ran up the stairs, past Luca and Nico’s gawking stares, and back into the restaurant, while Max hollered after me. I came to a screeching halt when a tall blonde stepped in my way.

“You, bitch!” I watched her hand come at me in slow motion and slap me across the face. Without hesitation, I pulled her arm straight and slammed the butt of my hand into her elbow. It gave in with a resounding crack. Her shriek battered my ears, and it snapped me from my haze.

Kandy stood before me, holding her arm to her body, wailing in pain. What the hell was she doing here? Was she the reason Luca was ignoring me all week?

“What happened?” I recognized the voice and my eyes locked on with Luca’s.

“She assaulted me.”

I grabbed my helmet and bolted out the door. My helmet was in place, and my bike started by the time all three men rushed out of the restaurant door. I kicked it into gear and took off just as Max reached out for me. His fingers skimmed my arm, narrowly missing me as I sped away, spitting pebbles in his direction.

Chapter 9

Ithrew a rock in the pond and watched it skip across the glass surface.What was I thinking?I was making a mess of shit real quick. I threw another rock and watched it dive under the water, never to return.

Stupid rock.

Two ducks with their babies swam across the lake. Their little butts wiggled side to side as they moved, looking for more food. I could sit here forever and watch the little cuties evade predators.

If I didn’t get my act together, I’d be one of those little ducklings, looking over my shoulder—waiting for Luca to wreck me, and not in the way I yearned for. So much for not letting my emotions lead. I rubbed the dirt from my hands and wiped away a stray tear.

Revving my bike, I sped off towards Rush, a bar frequented by cops and lawyers. The sun was dipping below the city when I arrived.

No one came after me, but it didn’t stop them from blowing up my phone with their calls and texts. I ignored them; giving them a taste of their own medicine. If I got bumped off, then so did my brother. I was the reason he was still alive.

I parked and noticed a distinct Porsche sitting in the lot. I silently screamed at God for his treachery. What joke is he playing on me? I came here to stay away from them, not run into them.

The door swung open, almost smacking me in the face, and a drunk man stumbled out, letting the door close behind him. Chivalry is dead with that one.

Loud conversations and the sports channel assaulted my senses. The stink of body odor and ten different brands of cheap male cologne caused my stomach to churn. My eyes scanned the room and found him sitting in a corner with three suits and a uniform. Their expensive briefcases sat beside them, complimenting their flashy suits.Who brought their work into a bar?I guess it could be said that was what I did here sometimes. I took my seat at the bar and waved the bartender over. She leaned over and wiped the surface in front of me.

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