An unnerving nausea crept into my stomach as I watched her flirt with the senator, getting him warmed up to her. It took everything in my power to stop her from flirting while constantly repeating, ‘this is all part of the plan’.
Zoe stared at her plate from the far end of the table, never speaking or engaging in the conversation unless Charity spoke to her, and when she’d answered Charity, her head went right back down to her hands in her lap, or her food on her plate.
“I heard you were in jail. How was that?” Charity asked after he’d spoken about a proposed bill regarding catch and release.
“It wasn’t too bad, actually.” He smiled, then placed his utensils in the six o’clock position on his plate. “I had my own cell, thanks to Nico, and caught up on some lost sleep.”
“That’s great. Good to hear.” She stroked his hand again as though he were a fascinating toy.
“Pet. Dessert.” He snapped his fingers, and she stood, clearing the plates even though she hadn’t finished eating.
“If I was you, I’d run,” Charity said, resting her elbow on the table and placing her chin in her palm as she smiled at him.
Her threat caught me off guard and had me wiping my mouth with my napkin to hide the surprise while my eyes bounced back and forth from her to him.
I thought she wanted to do this thing quietly?
“I’m sorry, what?” Adams asked, just as flabbergasted as I.
“If I were facing jail time… I’drun.”
Both Adams and I laughed, albeit mine was a nervous one. I’m sure he didn’t realize just how real her words are.
Charity enjoyed a good game of Cat and Mouse—Chase Around the Cherry Tree. It kept her on her toes and her mind sharp.
“Well, when you have the spotlight on you such as I do, those aren’t really my options.” He smiled at her and devoured her beauty, sending an electrifying hatred coursing through my bones.
“How is it you live a high-profile life, yet can do the things you do and get away with all these things without being spotted?”
Curiosity, my dear beloved…
He chuckled, then wiped his mouth with his napkin.
My stomach churned once again as she used her innocent charm to place him under her spell.
And it worked...
She had him spilling all his secrets and eating out of her hand before she had a moment to slice his throat.
“I need to use the restroom,” I said, standing and waiting for directions.
Adams pointed behind me, keeping his gaze on her like a lovesick puppy. “Second door on your right.”
“Right.” I nodded and adjusted my suit jacket, buttoning the first of two as I gawked at Charity. I could only hope she’d hurry this along now that the table was empty.
The restroom was large with all white and gold fixtures. It made sure that even the guests he never had knew this place was worth a fortune.
I shut myself inside, and locked the door, running my hands down my face, then leaned against the counter and stared into the mirror.
This couldn’t go on much longer. My constitution couldn’t handle the suspense or the constant state of anger.
How did Luca handle having such an anger complex? This jealousy thing was getting to me even though I knew he’d never hold her affection. It was all a show, an act, and he was loving it up in front of me, which made me wish he was dead even more.
Shaking my head, I let go of the murderous images in my mind with my hands around his throat constricting like a snake until life left his body.
I’d spent six years envious of any man who had the privilege of dating her. Now that she was mine… ours… there was no way I’d ever let another man make me feel that way again.
It’s a miracle I never felt this way when she was with Max or Luca.