Page 32 of Charity's Redemption

My stomach bottomed out as his initial thought was that I’d gone there to go above him.Hepredicted my actions.Heknew what I was up to.

The microwave beeped incessantly, setting my nerves on fire in a wave of irritation. I opened the door to stop the formidable noise, adding a sense of dread to the mix.

“I thought maybe he’d help you see reason.”

A smile spread across his face, but it wasn’t one of happiness.

“And?”

Luca’s eyes flicked down to my hand at my side, and smirked. Glancing down, I noted my finger tapping away on my jeans.

I balled my fist, stopping my finger from giving away my inward feelings. I’d been so focused on what to say and how to start and finish this conversation without someone, IE me, getting locked in the basement for a week or two that I didn’t even know I’d been doing it.

“And what?”

“How did he take that?”

“Like I said, he’s irritated.”

Luca uncrossed his arms and leaned against the counter between us while Nico stepped away, leaving me to the hungry wolf. Max stepped in behind Luca.

“What’s going on in here.”

“She took a trip to the state pen.”

“Ah, fuck,bella.” Max exhaled and closed his eyes as his shoulders tensed.

Luca's calm exterior deceived even the keenest eye, but I knew him. I could see the toil inside him churning like a volcano about to erupt and destroy the surrounding village. I just needed to brace for the impact. It was the only way to survive.

“Come on, you act as though I went there to overthrow you. It wasn’t—”

Luca slammed his hand on the counter, startling me and turning my cheeks aflame. “You wanted my father to doubt me. That’s the same thing.”

I shook my head. This was heading off in a direction that was significantly worse than I ever foresaw. “No, I would never do that, Luca. I only wanted you to consider a different path. You won’t even listen—”

“Downstairs now.”

I stumbled back, my heart stopped dead in my chest. “What?”

He’d taken this course before, except it was in the basement at La Famiglia. I’d spent days down there until Max and Nico showed up. I thought maybe things changed enough between us that he’d be willing to talk things out—not resort to confinement. He can’t lock me up. I have a small window left to take care of Adams, and if he locked me up now, he’d fuck me over three ways till Sunday.

I glanced at Nico as though I expected him to save me. Didn’t he just say never again? Or was that only with the way our relationship ended?

“Downstairs. I won’t put a gun to your head or threaten your life anymore. I love you too much for that. But beating the disobedience out of you is still on the table.”

Wait, he wasn’t locking me up? Why was I stunned that he wanted to use corporal punishment on me again? He’d done it before, many times, just weeks ago, in fact, after I told him about Elias. He laid me over his knee and smacked my ass with his bare hand until I couldn’t handle the sting any longer.

My core warmed as I remembered my ass in the air with his hand splayed across it. But this wasn’t like that time. Luca was angry, and rightfully so… I just wish I had more time.

“Luca,” Nico said, speaking up.

“Don’t fret, brother. She’ll come out alive.” He pointed out of the kitchen, his gaze tearing straight through me. “Go now, strip down, and meet me on your knees.”

I stepped forward, then back to where I was, hesitant if I should comply.

“Two more lashings.”

My eyes widened as my jaw dropped. Was he… “But I…”

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