Page 76 of Charity's Redemption

“I didn’t ask if you liked it. We just told you how it is.”

“Fine.” Charity turned around and stomped out of the kitchen, grabbing her plated bagel as she went. “Cancel that fucking golf game with my dad.”

“That won’t happen,” Luca hollered after her.

“You think it’s wise consorting with him?”

Luca mentioned it in passing, hoping I’d tag along, but I was slammed with Nash’s court case and trying to find Adelaide—the hacker I used to gain access to the DNA labs, hoping to scrub Charity from the system.

“I think there is no harm in seeing what he wants. Besides, we’ll be in public, so it’s not like I’ll be hiding the meeting from anyone.”

“And Pops is aware?”

“Yes, brother.”

“I agree with Charity. I don’t like it. He ghosts her, and then now he wants to come back and meet with her and you in a matter of days. He’s up to something.”

“Or maybe he’s come around and misses his only living child.”

“Or maybe his agenda is more sinister than you realize,” I countered.

“I guess we’ll know when I play golf with him.”

“I need to get going.” I check the time on my Rolex.

Picking up my briefcase, I patted Max on the shoulder, who looked out of place. “Cheer up, golf is a fun sport.”

“No, golf isn’t a sport. It’s an activity for those who can’t run or jump to feel special.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” I said, chuckling.

Charity sat on the front steps, sulking, with her bagel in hand.

“You keep pouting, and your face will get stuck like that,” I said, hoping to lighten up the mood.

“I’m sorry for insulting you.”

My spine straightened as her apology took me by surprise. She put the plate down on the steps, then sauntered towards me.

“I’ll let you make it up to me later when everyone at the club wants to see you in my lap.”

Charity bit her inner lip, hiding the smile, as she glanced away towards the ground. Her blushing cheeks had me swelling against my pants despite my anger.

She wrapped her arms around my waist, tucking her hands beneath my suit jacket, then rested her head on my chest as I slid my hand over her shoulder. “I am sorry.”

“It’s fine, Charity.” I dropped my case to the ground, then pulled her away from me and cupped her face. A pained wince lanced across her face as I moved my fingers at the back of her head.

She reached up and touched the backside of her head.

“Did you take something for that?”

She nodded. “Luca gave me something.”

“Good.” I tilted my head as I studied her button nose and beautiful green eyes as I reminisced about the days I pined for her and could never touch her. The day I met her when she was thrown into Pop’s office, scared but fierce. She didn’t know what she’d gotten herself into that night, but she embraced every moment, and I admired her for that.

Not everyone could’ve done what she did.

“What?” she said with a quiet voice as her gaze bounced back and forth between mine.

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