Page 68 of Monster

21

Charlotte

I wokeup with Teo on my mind and decided to go on a journey to find him. But, all I found was an empty house full of armed guards surrounding the premises. I made myself a large mug of coffee and took it out to the back porch so I could listen to the waves and attempt to enjoy some parts of the island. But, the second I heard footsteps stomping through the house, I knew something was wrong.

Then, an unfamiliar voice hit my ears. “I thought I’d find you out here, Charlotte.”

I furrowed my brow as I peered over my shoulder. “Can I help you?”

The man in the navy suit slid his hands into his pockets. “I’m sure you know who I am by now. I’ve come to ask for an audience.”

I turned back toward the ocean. “Well, go somewhere else. I don’t know who you are, and you’re not welcome to my attention.”

He came and sat down next to me. “Lorenzo Lucchese.”

I peeked over at him. “I’m surprised the guards haven’t shot you yet.”

He grinned. “So, you have heard of me.”

I felt the armed guards slowly surrounding us, but I had no idea why they weren’t attacking this man. Wasn’t this the asshole that was trying to buy me off Teo, or something like that? I looked around at all of the guards before my stomach clamped up. I shifted in my seat and looked straight into Lorenzo’s eyes before I saw something flash at his hip.

And when I saw the barrel of a gun pointed at me, I realized why the guards weren’t attacking.

They couldn’t take this man out without him taking me along for the ride.

“What do you want?” I asked hotly.

Lorenzo smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “An audience with you. That’s all.”

I nodded at his hip. “Why don’t you put the gun away, then?”

“No can do, Charlotte.”

“Miss Pettigrew,” I corrected.”

He snickered. “Suit yourself, Miss Pettigrew.”

I watched him holster his gun, but the armed guards still didn’t rush him. I mean, I knew those guards wouldn’t allow this man to hurt me per Teo’s command, but I still didn’t like the fact that a man like this could simply waltz through a house that wasn’t his own and get to me without so much as firing off a bullet.

I was used to dealing with men like him, though. My mother’s clients all seemed to be variations of this sort of nonsense. Men who didn’t take the word ‘no’ lightly. Men who seemed to get whatever they wished because of the money they threw around. Men who were questionable morally, at best. But, I put up with them so Mom would feel comfortable handing the business over to me one day.

Then, I could flip that firm on its head and take the kinds of cases I wanted to take. Help the kinds of people I wanted to help.

And rid myself of the Lorenzos of the world forever.

“What is it you want?” I asked.

Lorenzo held out his arms. “Isn’t it obvious at this point?”

I shrugged. “No.”

He chuckled. “I want you, Miss Pettigrew.”

“Tough tits.”

His face fell. “I know it might not seem like it right now, Miss Pettigrew, but you’re not as safe as you think.”

“Is this where you convince me that I’d be safer with you?”

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