Page 79 of Charity's Redemption

“Fantastic idea. I wouldn’t mind seeing her again. I mean, you’re good company, but her…” he trailed off as I ground my back molars.

I faked the best laugh I could. “Yes, she’s something, isn’t she?”

“You have a place in mind?”

“I was thinking, Exhibition, but if you have someplace else, you’d rather go…”

“Actually, I’ll be there tomorrow night. It’s a great place.” His voice rose with excitement. “Are, uh, you two together?”

“Yes, but not exclusive.”

It was the truth, in a sense. She was exclusive to us, and no one else. We came as a package deal, and she knew it—enjoyed it even.

“Excellent. I’ll see you then. Make sure she wears something revealing. Eight-thirty, sound good?”

“I’ll pick her dress. See you then.”

I hung up the phone, with doubts wracking my tense mind and unfamiliar violence coursing through my veins.

The aromatic scent ofpine trees and dirt billowed around me as I braced my elbow against the tree trunk, steading my hands. He raised his hands behind him, shoulder height, then swung, lobbing the ball down the greenway.

Watching two people play golf was the most boring mission I’d ever experienced and one of the most difficult.

Golf is a quiet sport, much like chess. It requires concentration, just not as much. So if I were to step on a fallen branch, all eyes would turn towards me, and the gig would be up.

What would Luca think of me spying on him while he played a game with my father? What were they talking about? Why was it so important that my dad would break his code and meet with the Mafia boss? In public, no less.

Max and Luca matched in both style and attire, whereas my father wore a white leather glove and a tan polo with darker pants and a smile.

He was smiling? If only I could be a fly in the surrounding air. My mind would sedate, and I’d be able to breathe again.

A bout of dizziness churned my stomach before I pulled the binoculars down, allowing my vision to adjust. I steadied my breathing, willing the nausea to vanish.

How was I standing in the woods like a stalker watching my father consort with the devil when I should be at the store shopping for a wig?

I put my binocular back up to see Luca handing the caddy his club, then look at his phone glowering.

My father sat in his golf cart when Luca said something to him with a wave. Dad nodded, then drove off with Vito in the back and the caddy following.

Luca turned his head, looking around, then looked back down at his phone.

“Oh shit,” I whispered.

He knows.

If this bracelet hadn’t saved my life so many times, I would take it off. But thanks to Max and his brilliant idea, Luca had now caught me… red-handed.

“Shit. Shit. Shit.” I turned around slowly, and tip-toed away, being mindful to avoid the land mines of dead branches and pine needles in my way.

“Charity, stop.” Luca’s voice hit my ears like a freight train, making my heart thunder in my chest.

I halted mid-step, like Grinch on Christmas morning, stealing all the presents.

If only Luca wasn’t so observant.

If only Max didn’t give him the app for my location.

Turning around, I plastered a smile on my face and hid the binoculars behind my back.

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