Page 50 of The White Picket Fence

He looked hurt. “Charlie, I’ve beenwaitingfor you all this time. You left town and I lost touch with you for a while, but you came home. To me.”

She wanted to violently disagree. Wanted to tell him that he was batshit crazy. But he had Kayla.

She drew in a breath. “Tell me where to go. Where is the house?”

His smile turned cunning. “So that you can tell yourfriend? Not gonna happen, Charlie. Ciccotelli had his chance with you, and he blew it. He made you leave. He doesn’t get a second chance.”

This was insane.Hewas insane.

“Then where should I go?” she asked, her voice shaky.

His expression softened. “Don’t be afraid, Charlie. I’ll make sure you’re so happy. I promise. We’ll finally be together, and you’ll have everything you ever wanted.”

She made herself smile. “I know. You’ve had a long time to plan.”

Something dark flickered in his eyes. “I have. I sacrificed decades for you.”

She considered asking what that meant, but he glanced at Kayla and his lips thinned. “I’m sorry,” she said meekly. “Where do you want me to go?”

“Take a cab to the parking lot at the Verizon store in Roxborough. Get out and start walking across the parking lot toward the Target. If I see anyone following you, the girl will die. Got it?”

Charlotte nodded. “I understand.”

He smiled. “You were always smart.”

She drew another breath. “How do I know you’ll let Kayla go?”

He frowned. “You don’t. But I promised I would, and I keep my promises. You should remember that, Charlie.”

She hadn’t remembered him until the night before. She’d forgotten him minutes after their last tutoring session. But saying either of those things would make him angry, and Kayla would be the one to suffer.

The girl and her family had already suffered enough.

“Okay. When should I be there?”

His smile was delighted once again. “Leave now. Pay for the cab in cash.” The smile slipped. “Leave your car at yourfriend’shouse.”

“How did you know—” She cut herself off because he gave her a stern look.

“I know where you are, Charlie. Back with Tino Ciccotelli. He’s no good for you. I tried to tell you that back then, but you didn’t listen.”

Had he?

She didn’t remember.

“I was young then. I didn’t listen to anyone.”

The stern expression remained. “Well, from now on, you’re going to listen to me.”

“I will.”

“Oh, and Charlie? Leave your phone behind. I’m going to search you when I pick you up. If I find a phone or any other tracking devices on you, the girl dies. Got it?”

She managed to nod. “Yes.”

“Yes,sir,” he corrected. “Say ‘yes, sir.’”

She swallowed, her heart beating wildly in her chest. “Yes, sir.”

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