Page 43 of Charity's Redemption

I snorted. “What makes you think that?”

“Call it a confirmed hunch.”

Okay…

“What do you want? Why are you here?”

And why hadn’t my alarm gone off? Elias scratched Cannoli behind the ears, causing his incessant purring to become louder, like a roaring train.

“To see how our little arrangement is progressing.” He pushed Cannoli off his lap, and he dug his claws in before scrambling under the couch. “Ahh, pendejo,” he hollered after Cannoli as he rubbed his leg, forcing a snicker to tear at my concentration. Elias glared, then relaxed as though my cat didn’t nearly claw his balls off. “You’ve been awfully quiet.” He picked the hair from his expensive suit.

“It’s not really an arrangement… more like forced servitude.”

“Charity, Luca may enjoy your sarcasm, but I don’t.”

“Well, that’s a pity. That’s the only language I speak, and I’m fluent…” I chuckled. “Say, how’s that little Mexican military problem going? You know, since your cartel killed their General. Ugly man he was… reminded me of your lap dog here.”

Pooch leaped from his seat on the couch, and I raised my weapon at him. Even though he had his pistol drawn, he wouldn’t have been able to aim it in time before I put two between the eyes. “Careful, dog. I wouldn’t want you to have an accident on my rug. I’ll have to rub your nose in it.”

“Enough,” Elias said, raising his voice to a level that rang my ears. “Sit down, Javier.”

Ah, Javier was it? I’d never heard Elias use it and it worked like tugging on a dog’s leash. Pooch took his seat with a scowl, although I’m sure that was a permanent expression on his face. I kept my gun trained on him, waiting for him to explode again.

“What do you want, Elias? I’m a woman pressed for time.”

“You are running out of time, Charity.”

“I’m aware.”

“And what are you doing to rectify that?”

“I’m curious… you seem awfully set on this deadline, and I’m thinking there may just be an ulterior motive to this hit. More than I originally thought.” I tapped my fingers against my lips in a wave.

“Thinking will only get you killed. Stick to the task at hand.”

“And what was that again?”

I slid my gun away into my holster. If he wanted to kill me, he would’ve done it already. But he needed me. The question was, why me? Didn’t he have a goon that could handle it? I know he said before it was because of what I did, but I was having a hard time believing that excuse now.

Elias stood, buttoning his suit jacket. His tall, wide frame threw shadows on my walls like black ink engulfing its enemy.

“You have four days to eliminate him, or I’ll kill you and your father while your mother watches.”

I snorted. “Could you switch that around? I’ve been meaning to get rid of her.” If he thought my mother would care about my death, he was mistaken. She’d developed this cold-hearted nature that made me wonder if she’d been hiding it there all along... Maybe that’s where I got it from.

“Four days, Charity.” He stepped around the coffee table. “And get a better alarm system. This took ten seconds to bypass.”

“Duly noted, captain.” I mocked him with a salute. “Any other advice you want to add in?”

“You might want to hide from Luca for a few days. I heard he’s pissed about your latest mishap.” Pooch’s sinister smile made my heart pound and my stomach churn.

“Javier, don’t give away the surprise.”

Was it them? He’d killed John? How else would they know just moments ago I fled from Luca’s wrath? I did everything in my power to hold a calm exterior as my insides screamed at me to put this all to a sudden end with two bullets. That’s all it would take, just like Luca wanted. A small faltering smirk raised my lips. “Now, Elias. I’m not sure if you want me to do my job or you’re trying to get me killed.”

“The benefit would be both, but we all know Luca won’t kill you. He’d just make your life that much more tragic. But eventually, you'll come to me.”

I snarled. “If I came to you, Elias, it would be in the dead of night to slit your throat next to whatever whore you paid for the night.”

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