Page 40 of Protecting Charity

“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Me as well,” I said, “Consider this, Agent Harding… Kandy Weir was and is to this day a bully. I never have nor will I ever be friends with her, much less share my birthday with her. Furthermore,” I sat back in my seat with a smile on my face, “my birthday was at the beginning of the year, not a few weeks ago. It seems as if Kandy lied to you just like all the men in this city.”

He leaned forward, and I gave him a minute to process the information. “I’d also like to mention, I don’t drink. So there is that.”

My mother stood from her chair and pointed towards the door. “That is quite enough. Out. Now. If you cannot respect the basic rules of decorum, then you will not sit at my table.”

I smirked and covered it with my hand as he stood and cleared his throat. “Ma’am. Sorry for ruining your evening.”

My mother glanced away from him with her nose in the air. “I forgive you. Now please leave. And Charity, your laughing is unnecessary and quite childish. I raised you better than that.”

The audacity of this woman was overwhelming. The grin died from my face. “Yes, ma’am.”

I needed to remember as I cheered her on in my head because she wasn’t defending me; no, it was quite the contrary. She didn’t want her precious dinner table disgraced with negativity, and most importantly, he didn’t listen to her rules—no business at the table. He lasted all of twenty minutes at Lynnet Gibbon’s table. For a man that seemingly struggles with following the rules, that was a fantastic time.

He walked towards the door and raised his hand as if he forgot something, then turned back to me. “You know there is one more thing,” he wagged his finger and then rubbed his two-day-old stubble. “If what you say is true, then she must have been lying about you breaking her arm. Right?”

Nico leaned over, placed his hand on my thigh, and in a disciplined voice, said, “Do not take the bait.”

I peered into his brown eyes and noticed gold flecks sprinkled throughout. It made me want to go panning just to see what I could find in them. Gripping Nico’s hand, I moved my finger over his hand, noting the softness of his skin, then removed it from my lap and met Owen by the door to walk him out. A chair skid across the floor and Nico was soon at my back walking with me.

“Charity, dinner is over, so you should just go home,” said Mom.

And there it was. I was just as much to blame in her eyes as he was. My throat tightened, and I hung my head. Why does it feel like she betrayed me? Wasn’t she supposed to defend me? As a mother, that was her job, right? Why did her love have to be so conditional? I know I always thought nasty things about her, but who doesn’t think of hitting people upside the head every once in a while? Those are perfectly normal thoughts—I think. I may be a killer, but I would never harm her. I loved her, but I can see right through her perfect hair and dress. She was sick. She didn’t know how to love anyone but herself. What my father saw in her, I’ll never know.

I nodded and sniffed, “Goodnight, Dad.” I refused to address her. She didn’t deserve my time.

Nico placed his hand on my lower back, leading me out the door. I stepped out to the cement porch, noting Agent Harding standing beside my car and peering into my window.

“Snooping, are we, Agent Harding?” I walked towards him.

He spun on his heel as if startled, then exhaled. “I was just admiring this pretty dress from a very expensive boutique. What is it you do again?”

Nico placed a hand on my shoulder, reminding me of his warning and to heed it. “What is it you want, Agent Harding?”

“I think I got the answers I needed tonight. Say, you two look awfully cozy for people that hardly know each other.”

I sneered at him and crossed my arms. I was no longer in the mood to play his games. This day had already gone to shit, and now I had him to deal with on top of everything.

“And what answers did you find yourself with tonight, Owen?” Nico asked.

“Agent Harding, please,” he said smugly, and I rolled my eyes.

“Agent Harding,” Nico corrected.

How was it he could keep steady and talk professionally while I stood here ready to gouge out his eyes and feed them to the birds? I was almost envious.

“I’m not one to play my hand too early.”

I scoffed at his ridiculous remark. If he did anything wrong tonight, it told me he knew about me or the bullshit Kandy whispered in his ear. I’d see to it she never said another word.

He didn’t just play his hand early; he played them without knowing what cards he really had. It was like playing poker with a toddler. He eyed me then glanced back to Nico and continued, “but her parents obviously have no idea the kind of mess she’s caught up in,” he turned his attention to me, “So, that means, you either; haven’t been caught up for long or… you’re a pro and have learned to lie and conceal.”

I raised a brow and slowly nodded my head. “And what exactly is it I’m supposedly caught up in?”

He raised his finger and wagged it at me, then clicked his tongue, tsking at me. “See, that is why I had your dad ask Nico to dinner.” He pulled his keys from his pocket and opened his car door. “Have a pleasant night.”

What the fuck was that supposed to mean?I watched him pull away, then turned to Nico. “Well, shit.”

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