Page 43 of Charity's Torment

His soft mouth entwined with mine, then he slid from my body. Curling up behind me, he wrapped me up in his arms and locked me into place. My heart warmed from his tender affection.

I felt at peace.

Nico tucked in tight to me as I sighed, and I noticed his breathing evening out. I melted into his arms, hoping and praying this wasn’t just a fluke or a one-night stand. I don’t think I could stomach it. What would I do without him? He grounded me. Made me feel like I was worth it. He never judged me. I never have to hide who I am to him.

Would Max be upset? Would Luca care? All the fears that washed away started surging back in with the tide. As much as my heart swelled to lie in his arms, I needed to get up. I had to think. I didn’t want to hurt any of them. I cared too much. They were my weakness, and none of them knew it.

A tear slipped from my eyes as I tried leaving. Nico’s sleeping body curled tighter around me, and I was done for. I couldn’t move, captured in a loving embrace, and he couldn’t imagine how much it meant to me.

Chapter 15

Luca sat behind his desk with three burly Italians on the other side. None of the men appeared restless; in fact, they laughed, which meant he hadn’t started without me. Luca locked eyes with mine as I came in and took a spot next to him. He leaned over, getting close. “You’re glowing.”

“Am I?” I smirked while crossing my ankle over my knee.

I had an extra pep in my step, that was for sure. Nico kept me locked in his arms for three days. It almost felt surreal. He didn’t want to let me go, and I was inclined to allow it.

Arturo was impatient. He didn’t enjoy having unfinished business, and I left him thoroughly waiting. Apparently, he called screaming at Luca, demanding I suck it up, even though it wasn’t I that needed to suck anything up—it was his kin. Luca became enraged because he believed it to be too soon after the incident, but his father would hear nothing of it.All this babying was really taking a toll on my confidence.

Karen wouldn’t be problematic. How much trouble could a skinny-ass woman cause? I mean, she only convinced her husband to kill Arturo, he was the one that actually did it.

The laughter ceased, and all three sets of eyes flicked to me and then their boss. Their foreheads creased as their brows raised. They didn’t appear nervous or worried—more curious, if anything.

“Don’t stop on my account.”

Max walked in and sat next to Luca. “Sorry I’m late.” He glanced at me. “Bella.”

I winked as he settled into his chair.

“Ignazio, explain to me how a man on your salary suddenly pays off a ten-thousand-dollar car loan?” When Luca’s voice was in interrogation mode, it made his men sit ram-rod straight and pay attention.

“I-I… uh… we sold a few vehicles.” Judging by his knit brows and darting eyes, I’d say he was not expecting this line of questioning or for Luca to even know about his extracurricular activities—whatever they may be.

“Must have been nice cars for a payout like that.”

“No, sir. Just some cheap beaters that we flipped for a profit.” He plucked at his cuticles. His shifting eyes drove me insane. It made me want to glue his lids closed. “We bought a few at the police auction. You know the impound kind? They have good deals there sometimes.”

“Are you not paid well?”

Gavino shifted in his seat and looked to Ignazio. “We are, Boss,” he said. “This is just a hobby we enjoy. It’s not for profit. Honest.”

“Let’s see it then.” Luca propped his elbows on his desk, clasped his fingers together, and rubbed them against his lower lip, pondering something.

Dante picked out his phone and showed Luca their sales pictures of eleven shiny cars, all of various makes and models.

“Wait… you had a pink one and didn’t give it to me?”

Ignazio exhaled and furrowed his brows. “If I had known—”

I held my hand up. “—It was a joke.”

His smile faltered, unsure if it was safe to laugh. I smiled reassuringly. He took the hint and chuckled with a nervous edge.

“That’s it?”

“Yes, Boss,” they said, mirroring one another.

He nodded. “You can go.”

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