Page 58 of Protecting Charity

A reasonably large crowd sat hushed in their seats that faced a massive TV, one that took up the wall’s entirety. Elias pointed calmly to our chairs, then walked away as if we never knew each other. Hate to break it to you, but everyone saw us talking to you upstairs. I rolled my eyes, wishing he could hear my snarky remark pointing out the obvious.

Luca took his seat, and I followed while looking around, taking in every detail, and logging it to memory.

There were so many couples with smiles on their faces, and I felt the rage eat at me until I wanted to take a hammer to each and every one of them just to shatter their happiness. How was it they could be so elated while destroying an innocent life? At least the people I killed were already monsters in some sense of the word.

Here, you had people and children, taken against their will to do the bidding for God knows who, for God knows what, and these people were beaming—pleased with themselves. I squeezed Luca’s thigh until he placed his hand on mine and pried it away. He latched my hand in his, trying his best to reassure me in a time I didn’t need consoling. I needed to eradicate them all.

Maybe the Priestess was right but incorrect in who would do the destruction. I wouldn’t have a problem putting a bullet in every single one of their heads if I had my gun. My chest felt heavy with despair, and my jaw was aching from clamping my mouth shut.

The TV flickered, coming to life as a man in a mask appeared. “Guests, the auction is about to commence. We ask for silence. Raise your number, and we will log your bid. When the auction is over, you will claim your prize at a special meeting. One that will not be here, but scheduled at a different time.” I whipped my gaze to Luca. This wasn’t how Senator Adams told me it went. He said they met their property and left with them. He squeezed my hand as I tensed with panic. “We know this isn’t how things have been done in the past, but we are taking special precautions tonight.”

I leaned my forehead to Luca’s shoulder and counted silently in my head as I willed away the tap, tap, tap of my finger.

“Now that the formalities have been established, let’s begin the bid with this sassy number.”

I almost vomited in my mouth as he spoke about a young teen boy standing before the camera on the screen wearing nothing but a pair of white underwear. He hunched his shoulders to appear small and clasped his hands in front of his crotch. This was going to be more challenging than I could have ever imagined.

A man raised his hand, and the auctioneer called out one-hundred-thousand-dollars and asked for more.

I tuned out the best I could while trying to pretend it didn’t bother me watching boys, girls, and one elderly lady being treated like chattel. The auctioneer said she would be a lovely nanny to many children as she had raised eight of her own and had many grandbabies. These people were sick, and I should take every single one of their numbers and add them to a list of people that favored a grisly death. I wouldn’t have a problem dispensing my own justice, and if Luca had a problem with those unsanctioned hits, then he could kiss my ass goodbye because I would never apologize for doing what was right.

“Next on our list is a little girl that has gained much publicity lately.”

I sat ram-rod straight and latched my attention to the TV as I finally saw her. They had her positioned in a chair, dressed like a pretty doll, sitting with her hands in her lap, not moving a muscle. I could see the fright weighing down on her as the tears streamed down her face, but she didn’t dare move.

What did they do to her to give her that fear? Who did this? I needed to see their faces. I had to deal with the sad truth that I would probably never get to the bottom of what happened to her or who did it to her besides her sister. The only thing I would have in my power would be to protect her and rescue her from this current plight.

The auctioneer started off the bid at two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand. I begged Luca to bid on her, but he shook his head. We had this discussion before, but it didn’t sit well with me and made me sick to my stomach. He didn’t want his money going into this process. They would run his money from his account, funding the assholes that did this well before we would even get to see Allie.

A middle-aged couple’s interest piqued as they drove the bid up. My arms itched with vexation. I needed to put them up and buy her, but Luca was right. I couldn’t fund this prick. He’d be long gone. Our best bet was to follow the people that bought her. We’d take Allie and leave them with two bullets to the head. One extra for good measure.

The auction ended with the young couple winning Allie. Their elation caused my lip to curl and my nails to bite into my skin as I wrung my fists. I stood with Luca, following his cue as we made our way back up the stairs behind the couple.

Our plan… keep an eye on them. Follow them to the pickup location and nab her.

Luca pulled out his phone, messaging Vito to come around with the car. They wasted no time going to claim their prize.

We stood on the front step and waited for our ride as the couple waited for theirs. Elias walked up behind us and struck up a conversation with Luca while I stood by, antsy and ready to exact my wrath on them.

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

“We did,” Luca apprised him.

I looked around anxiously, waiting for Vito to drive forward when I saw him. A man stared at me from the tree line; his gaze was hardened and familiar. I tugged on Luca’s arm, not peeling my gaze from him, but he didn’t answer me.

The man turned and walked away to the back of the building. Shit. I quickly glanced back to Luca to find him in a hushed conversation that looked rather serious. A dilemma sat on the scales I balanced in my mind. On one side, I follow him; on the other, I get in the car and follow the new owners to Allie.

I stepped down the stairs and rushed away to follow my brother. Lord, forgive me.

Chapter 23

Luca

Ishook his hand. “Thanks for your help, Elias. Vito just pulled up.”

“It wasn’t my pleasure, but I’m pleased it went well.”

I chuckled, understanding his meaning. He helped because he wanted Charity out of his hair, not out of niceties. He didn’t want any involvement in this situation any more than we did. I was just happy it would soon be over. Vito stepped out to open the door, and I turned to Charity to find her gone from my side. My heart lurched as I spun on my heel, looking behind me but still not catching sight of her.

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