Page 46 of Charity's Redemption

No. I just wanted a moment of silence as I enjoyed what could be my last meal. After finishing the last bite, I wiped my mouth clear of every morsel, then turned towards her.

“Where have you been? Your sexy lawyer friend stopped by to grab the deposit money,” Caroline said.

“That’s her boyfriend,” Justine corrected her as she wiped down the counter beside the till.

“Your boyfriend? Yum. Does he have any friends?”

“None you’d want to be involved with.” I laughed as I untied my apron, then hung it on the hook in the hall while I thanked God I had the sense to put one on.

Milk stains mixed with the chocolate syrup that exploded on me thirteen mocha’s ago, smeared the white apron as if it were a new-age, Tye-dye.

“Hey, let me be the judge of that.”

“I asked her that last time. She’s even taken his brother. There’s no chance for us.”

Caroline’s mouth hung open in shock as she glanced back at me as if she expected me to debunk Justine’s allegation.

“I’ve got to get going. You think you ladies got it from here? I don’t know the next time I’ll be in.”

“Wait, you’re gonna just leave it at that?”

How in the world do I tell them they don’t want to be associated with anyone that is my friend or Nico’s. I warned Caroline, but still, she persisted. “Fine. I’ll ask Vito. I’m sure he’s single.”

“Vito… Just his name alone makes me want to drool.”

I chuckled. Vito was a good-looking man, but there was something about him that didn’t attract me to him. “Gotta go. Call me if you need something. Oh, and also, I’ll pay you a bonus to cover the extra hours you ladies are working.”

Justine and Caroline’s faces beamed.

“Well, shit, a date with a sexy man and more money… I think this is my new favorite job.”

“We’ve got it covered.” Justine beamed her signature smile.

“I’ll see you in a few days.”

Walking to my car, I slid inside and set out to hit my next target with that paranoia eating at my neck again. I shook away the feeling.

Adams was my top priority right now, and nothing would impede my mission. Even though I wasn’t ready to strike, I still needed to watch him, make sure he didn’t change up routines, making my short deadline even shorter.

I drove over to Zoe's apartment and parked in the parking garage across the street on the second to highest level which sat even with her windows. Even though I’d watched her for weeks, I’d still only seen her face twice. Once Adams would arrive, she’d shut the curtains, and then the cries would begin. I’d listen to it all with a sound amplifier.

You really didn’t know someone until they thought they were alone and behind closed doors. On the outside and in public, Adams was a nice man who donated his time and money to helping children, but when he was with her… his demeanor changed with crude commands and beatings.

He’d never used her name except once he let it slip when he first arrived. Other times, he called her pet or whore.

I still had yet to determine if she was there willingly or by force. Although, because she never leaves her tower, I’m going to say she’s a slave.

Backing into the parking space I’d used for the last three weeks while spying on them, I grabbed my gear and stood at my trunk. Putting on my headphones, I placed the tripod on my trunk and aimed it towards the apartment window across from me.

Silence had my ears buzzing as I watched her through the binoculars, sitting in the window with her back towards me, reading a magazine.

I pulled out my phone, rereading the messages from before, hoping they’d change with time.

Luca: The more you ignore me, the worse this will be.

Luca: Why is your phone off?

Luca: Charity, I swear to God.

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