Page 60 of Charity's Redemption

“He told me yesterday morning when I found him in my house.”

Luca stopped in his tracks before exiting the hall, hung his head with a shake, and exhaled, then continued his trek out to the living room where Kandy’s lifeless body lay. “That man is really starting to get on my nerves.”

“It’s almost over, then we’ll never see him again.”

Luca scoffed as though he didn’t believe what I’d said.

It was true, though. I had one mission to complete, and once it was over, Elias held nothing over me. He’d disappear; otherwise, he’d risk war, and to be honest, I don’t think that was what he wanted.

“We have more to discuss, so I suggest we get going. We’ll have Doc look at you… again.” Luca wrapped his hand in mine and tugged me out to his car, and opened the back door for me to get in. Max walked around the other side and slid into the backseat beside me as Luca shut my door and took his seat behind the wheel.

“Come here,bella.” He patted his lap as exhaustion took over. I laid my bloodied head in his lap as he moved my hair out of my face.

“It’s right as rain, by the way,” Luca said as he backed out of the driveway.

“What is?”

“You said before, you were right as a sunny day. It’s right as rain.”

I smiled and closed my eyes.

“I’m going to saythis once,” Doc said as he pressed the gauze into my head wound, “If you were in bed resting like I told you to, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Yes, Father. Next time, I’ll follow the rules to the T.” I said, sarcasm bleeding through my lips like my head wound bled down my neck.

Of course, the bleeding had stopped long before Luca and them arrived, which left a sticky residue all over my clothes. I’d all but ran to the shower when Luca pulled in the driveway. I was damn near radiant by the time Doctor Dan made his appearance.

Luca was on edge all afternoon as we waited for him to arrive. He’d called him while on our way home and gave him instructions on what to look out for, but it didn’t sound like an emergency, and he’d get to me soon. That didn’t go over very well with Luca, who cussed him out and threatened to have his license revoked.

“Don’t get mouthy with the doctor,” Nico said while holding my hand. “He’s basically your lifeline these days.”

“Ha-ha.”

Doc dug the gauze into my scalp, causing radiant pain to rush down my neck and into my eyeballs. I jerked away from him, yelping, then glared. “Don’t get mad at me because Luca lacks the ability to communicate like any other normal person.” I turned to face Nico. “Also, I can take care of myself. There are just some things I’d rather not do.”

Like figure out how I would escape an idiot of an FBI agent and his equally stupid girlfriend. Both were too dense to do any actual harm, anyway.

Besides, if the Chief showed up, like Owen wanted, and found me tied to a chair with blood running down my body, I’m one-hundred percent certain they would have locked him and Kandy up.

“No one doubts your capabilities, Charity,” Doc said. “We just want you to try taking better care of yourself.”

“I’ll do my best to change my ways,” I said with an exhale.

Doc tossed his gear in his bag. “Well, that’ll do it for now. Keep an eye out for infections. And if you feel any dizziness, headaches, or vomiting, call me.”

I nodded.

“Thanks, Doc,” Nico said, standing and showing him out.

Max walked into the guest bedroom just as Nico turned the corner.

“Are you here to lecture me too?”

“Nope.”

“Good, cause I won’t listen. I’m mad at you.”

I pulled the covers over my bare legs and laid on my side as Max came towards me with a smirk, then sat down beside me.

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