Page 48 of Protecting Charity

“Are you calling me predictable?”

“Far from it, but I know your favorite moves.”

That kind of sounds like I’m being called a one-trick pony.“Hmm… well, she said she didn’t do it because ICF came after her and did the same thing I did. I think she got the message loud and clear from both of us.”

Walking out of there without answers added to the irritability and put me back at square one again, where I seemed to have made a permanent camp. I don’t think the universe had intentions of allowing me to leave. I didn’t have answers with my brother and this assassin, and I still had to find Allie. Would I ever catch a fucking break?

“Bene, now let’s go home.”

“Yes, let’s go. I have a cat to feed.”

I was expecting him to argue with me or at least fight me, but when we pulled into my driveway, I was pleasantly surprised.

“Feed the cat, and then we leave.”

Ah. There’s the kicker. I didn’t get to stay, just perform my human duties for my feline friend, then out the door I go, to a house I didn’t want to stay in.

I frowned while giving him my best glare. “I don’t want to leave.”

“I’ll drag you out kicking and screaming by your hair if you give me issues, Charity.”

I tipped my head back in acknowledgment. “And there is the dark side to Goldilocks,” I mumbled.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

I went inside and shut off the alarm with Max bent down to pet the big cat behind the ears, feeding into his obnoxious behavior. It couldn’t be helped; Cannoli wouldn’t allow you to walk away and not grant him his proper attention.

His cat food was running low, and I was going to need to make another shopping trip, one that I always hated. I couldn’t stand being in the grocery stores with people. I plopped his food in the dish, then made my way to my room to pack a few things. They got their wish; they forced me to leave my home and not by the one person who threatened my life. Nope, forced to leave by those claiming to protect it.

I dropped the duffle bag on the bed and stuffed it with all the clothes I thought I would need when Max came around the corner and gave a sharp tug on my braid. My head tipped back, and he claimed my lips as he enclosed me in his powerful arms. I melted against him, allowing the feel of his warmth to soak into me and bathe in his strength. With one arm, he hoisted me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. We fell onto the bed in a tangle of limbs and shredded clothing with nothing but time.

Chapter 19

Nico

What was taking them so long? It didn’t take this long, did it?

“If you don’t wipe that worried look off your fucking face, you and I are going to have issues.”

Luca’s anger snapped me from my terrifying visions of anything and everything that could go wrong. I took a sip of my wine, set it back on the table, and then took a bite of the leftover steak.

I didn’t have time to warm my chair at her parents’ house, much less put something on my plate. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, and then the shootout happened. This was my first chance of sitting since…

The meat melted between my teeth as I chewed, causing me to groan with its exquisite taste.

“Did you make it or your chef?”

Luca looked almost offended, as if I implied he needed someone to cook for him. Yet, most nights, the chef did.

“The chef. But only because I didn’t want to.”

I snickered. “I’m so hungry I’d eat it even if it fell on the floor.”

“That’s gross, brother.”

I washed down the hunk of meat with another sip of wine. “Luca, we’ve gotta talk about what happened at her parents’.”

---