Page 142 of Charity's Redemption

“You did this?” I turned back to Luca.

“You thought I was going to let him threaten you without any consequences?”

My mouth hung open as my stomach somersaulted with butterflies.

He did this for me?

“But…”

“No buts, Charity. We made a…” He grabbed my chin as I glanced away, forcing me to look back at him.“Imade a mistake in making you walk out that door. It made you an easy target for that fucker to take advantage.” He dipped his head down to catch my gaze. “Do you understand?”

I nodded. “Aren’t you afraid of retaliation?”

He shook his head as he exhaled. “No.”

Luca transformed into someone different. Someone I didn’t recognize from my past but looked forward to in the future. They all had.

After Max opened up to me about his depression because of his family home, he’d stopped the daytime drinking and began focusing more on talking with me about it.

And now Nico. Giving up his home so he could live with us… with me, making us complete.

The emotions they invoked inside me cracked the ice around my heart and warmed me from the inside.

I cleared my throat as the uncomfortable feelings worked their way through my system.

“I hope you’re ready for this.” I snatched the remote from Max’s hand, preparing the TV for the movie. “It’s bloody and intense.”

“How would you know?” Max asked.

“Duh, I saw the trailer.”

I dug into the popcorn as Luca sat back against the couch and pressed his thumbs into my calf, eliciting an involuntary moan as he massaged. “Oh my God, if you keep doing that, I’ll be your slave forever.”

Max spat out his popcorn, then grabbed at my other leg. “I like those terms.”

“Hey,” I pulled my leg away from his grasp. “I may be flexible, but the splits were never my talent. Wait your turn.”

Max sat back in his seat, sulking.

“Okay. Movie time.”

One week later

“Yep, understood.” I pausedin the kitchen doorway. “Thanks, Parker. Keep me informed.” I hung up the phone and slid it into my pocket.

“Dammit, Charity. Get out of the kitchen.”

“I want to help.”

Luca had her pinned to the counter with his hips, their arms high above their heads as he reached for the spatula she’d held from him like a toddler.

“No. You almost ruined the chicken.”

“It’s not even cooked yet.”

“Exactly. Now give me the spatula before I use it on you.” A smooth smile slid across her face, and Luca sighed. “I need to come up with new threats for you.”

A warm bit of laughter left her lips, sending shortwaves down my spine.

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