Falling with Grace - Page 153

“You’re one dumb bitch, Charity.” Javier’s shoulders widened as he stared at his nemesis.

“That’s no way to speak to a lady.” She laughed and put her hands up in a mocking gesture as though she had no fear I’d put a bullet through her head, then leaned to the side, catching a glimpse of Carter, who moaned behind me.

I lowered my weapon and tucked it behind me. “What are you doing here?”

“So, funny story.” She lowered her hands. “That guy was slated to land on my table.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Javier took two steps towards her, and I snapped my fingers, halting him mid-stride.

“And how would Arturo feel about his princess being back on my land?”

She winced. “He’s sick and relinquished all control to Luca.”

“So Luca’s no longer taking orders from hispapi.”

Charity shivered and stepped into the room. “It sounds so weird when you say it like that.”

“Like what?”

“Papi.

Carter groaned behind me. “Charity, you better get to the point.”

“I need him.”

“No.”

“But I like, really, really, need him.” She took a step to the side. “Hi, Carter.” She waved, and I stepped between them.

“My patience is running thin.”

“To be fair, it always has.”

“I’ve been working on it.” I inhaled a deep breath.

“Help…me.” Carter whimpered.

Charity snorted. “Carter, my guy, you’re lucky Pooch made it to you before I did because I’d have had you hung up and carving your tendons already.” She raised a browand tilted her head. “Quite frankly, this looks like child’s play, Pooch. I expected more from you with all your posturing.”

Javier turned to me. “Can I kill her, now?”

“Relax.” I held a hand up. “What do you need him for?”

“Well, see this little punk box fashioned a computer laden with spyware for the US Government and sold it to Nico, then packed up and went on this little family vacation on the taxpayer’s dime…”

“And?”

“Oh.” She laughed, then stripped her smile from her face. “I’m here to kill him.”

Carter let out a yowl. “Run back to Luca and tell him the job’s been handled.”

She plastered a faux frown. “Without getting blood on my hands?”

“Yes, Charity.”

“Not even a little bit?”

I sat in the chair beside Carter, the unrelenting string of drool pooling beneath him. “Not even a little. He’s mine and more useful than your petty government overreach.”