Page 51 of Wizard's Spitfire

“Are we prisoners?” Lucia gasps.

“Fermatevi miei cari. The compound has a pool, gym, movie theater, bodega, and sports area. It’s not like you’re locked in an eight by ten room with nothing but a light bulb and a chair,” Pops says.

Then he continues, “You girls are lucky to have your mama and the Kings looking out for you. Most people in this situation would be in dire straits.”

And so, the conversation continues for the next hour in between the servers' trips to our table. I’m exhausted by thetime we get home and beg to put off our date until tomorrow. I know it’s a club party and I feel bad about missing it, but I don’t have the emotional bandwidth to deal with anyone outside of the immediate family.

Chapter 34

Two days later

Wizard

I HAVE EVERYTHING READYfor date night. Well, date afternoon and night. I have a surprise for Charlie. I knock on the door and wait. A large bouquet of pink splash roses and stargazer lilies, along with other flowers and greenery.

Pops opens the door. He gives me a smile and a wink.

“Are those for me?”

I laugh. “They’re for your beautiful granddaughter. Shall I bring you some next time?”

Pops ushers me in laughing.

“She’ll be down in a minute. Lucia and Francesca are helping her get dressed. Come on in and have a seat.”

I follow him into the living room and take a seat on the sofa.

“How are you liking the compound, Pops?”

“It’s like a small city behind these walls. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

“Stormy’s always thinking of something else to add to the compound. We’ve purchased land a few times. Anytime something goes up around us, we buy it. Our latest project is a housing development for family members only. As of now, we are undecided if we’ll directly connect the two. Right now, the entrance is a block away.”

“I gotta say, your club is nothing like I expected.”

“Yeah, the media has everyone thinking we’reSons of Anarchy.”

“Wizard, you’re here.”

I look up to see Francesca come in.

“I am. How are you?”

“Good, I’m dying without my phone. I’m on my fourth book. Reading is one of the few things we’re not grounded from.”

“I love to read. I have a collection of novels in my apartment.”

“Oh, can I look sometime?”

“Absolutely. Let’s set up a time for you to come over. Your sisters can come too, or you can come alone. Your choice.”

“Thanks, Wizard.”

“Any time, kiddo.”

She smiles at me and tucks her legs under her but and settles beside me. Lucia and Valentina join us after we chat for a few minutes. If the girls are down here, then Charlie should be down any second.

I hear footsteps on the stairs during a break in conversation and look up to see Charlie. My jaw drops open as I take her in. She's wearing a pair of black jeans that hug her every curve, making her legs seem impossibly long. Along with a black leather halter top that zips up the front and black leather boots that come to her knee.

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