“We should target his career then,” I suggest, preening when Charlie’s face lights up.
“I was thinking the same,” he says. “And we should do it the non-violent way if possible. Kind of how he’s trying to undermine me.”
“But we don’t have any compromising videos of him!” Trish whines, exasperation oozing off her.
“No, but…” Charlie chews on his bottom lip. The action makes me want to kiss him, but I contain the urge. “I met his previous ex once. The guy was livid, but it was just the start of my and Andy’s relationship, so I thought little of it. He was accusing Andy of blackmail and extortion… But, I mean, they parted on bad terms and Andy was the one who broke it off, so I thought he was just being spiteful.”
I turn this information over in my head. If there is an ounce of truth to that, we can work with it. I grin. Good thing I know the right person for the job. “I know a guy,” I start, pulling everyone’s attention to me. “He’s into hacking and stuff. I bet he can help us get some dirt on your ex.”
The adoration in Charlie’s blue eyes almost undoes me. He’s so fucking cute and precious. I can’t believe he ever tolerated someone as shitty as Andy. I was honestly shocked when he told me. The guy went as far as to mock him about his gaming career, even though he makes more in half a year than that asshole will ever make in two. He just didnotdeserve even a second of this amazing human’s time or attention.
Unable to help the urge to touch Charlie, I grab his hand and bring his knuckles to my lips. A delightful shiver runs through him, his cheeks gaining some color. His two friends give me a look. It’s not a bad one per se, but it carries a hint of apprehension. Good, they know Charlie deserves only the best. Now I just need to prove that I’m the only one who fulfills the criteria.
“But maybe there isn’t anything to be found,” Charlie voices with a scowl, his beautiful face clouding with worry.
Greg, Trish’s partner who has mostly listened so far, nudges him gently with an elbow. “All of us know he’s an asshole. At thevery least, he’ll have an embarrassing video or ten. That douche is a chronic alcoholic.”
“Okay,” Charlie deflates a bit, plopping some jellybeans in his mouth. He chews slowly and with a grimace, as if the candy is sour instead of sweet. My heart yearns to bring the smile on his face, and I am about to proclaim that I will make Andy pay for messing withmyCharlie, when my lovely gamer spits out the jellies and aims a nasty glare Trish’s way. “You seriously got the shitty mixed ones? You know I hate those!”
Trish grins sheepishly. “Maybe? Thought it might pump you up and fuel that evil streak you have.”
I blink, my brain needing a second to process.Charlie doesn’t like sour candy. He was actually grimacing because the taste really was sour and not because he’s sad or depressed or feeling like the bad guys will get away with crossing him.I laugh, the whole table turning to me. God, I love his energy, his no-nonsense attitude. He’s so small and delicate and elegant. He makes you want to protect him and coddle him and take care of him.
But in reality?
He’s a damn alpha wolf in sheep’s clothing, ready to kick ass.
“You alright there, buddy?” Trish says with a slight lift of her eyebrows, her lips pouty.
“Mhm. All good.” I shoot Charlie a heated glance, wanting to let him know just how hot he makes me feel. “Just processing. I think I might have a thing for nerds with revenge agendas.”
Charlie rolls his eyes, stifling a pleased smile. “Oh, c’mon. You are practically as big a nerd as I am. Minus the pro gaming career.”
Maybe. But I don’t think he realizes that he’s the reason for that. Teenager Charlie was just too damn cute getting excited about video games and I wanted a part in that.
“Okay, my friend’s got something for us,” I say a week later at the little quaint café Charlie took showed me. I liked it so much, we came back multiple times for breakfast.
We also ended up watching that horror movie at home after our revenge planning meeting was over. The following days, we went around London so he could show me some sights. Today was slower, because of the shitty weather, and we mostly lazed around in his apartment. I’ve been crashing there, and he hasn’t kicked me out yet, or even implied he wants me to leave. My heart couldn’t be happier. We are practically together already, though I am not sure he realizes it. But I plan to make my intentions to date him official once this fiasco is over.
“He works quickly,” Ethan comments, his arms crossed as he gives me a hard look. For whatever reason, he’s not a fan of Nigel, but whenever I try to prod him about the reason, he always waves my question away.
“You know, you didn’t have to come. We have shit under control,” Charlie huffs, his hand absentmindedly trailing up and down my thigh.
Ethan gives him a scathing look. “Just be happy I didn’t disown you for hiding something like that from me.”
Ah yes. He found out about Charlie’s predicament when he visited last night. Charlie didn’t think we needed to involve him or stress him with stupid drama, so we never told him. But I’d left my laptop open and he’d peeked and then peeked some more and then had a go at us. Oh, and he also knew we’re ‘together’, so I guess that either Charlie mentioned it, or Ethan figured it out on his own. If I had to guess, it’s the latter.
Trish and Greg vacate their chairs and plant themselves behind the couch that me, Charlie and Ethan are occupying. They place their elbows on the backrest and lean forward.
“Sibling love is the best. But I’m dying to know what Ben’s friend dug up, so can you two kiss and make up already? Weknow you can’t stay angry at each other for more than ten minutes anyway,” Trish says with a pointed look at the two brothers.
Ethan purses his lips. “Fine. But Charlie has to come with me to that stakeholder meeting.”
“Ugh,” my adorable menace grunts. “You know I hate those stupid meetings!” At that, Ethan’s look turns hard and menacing. “Fine! I’ll go with you.”
I grasp his hand and squeeze it.That’s my Charlie.He gives me a cute little smile that everyone pretends they don’t notice.
“Okay, let’s see what Nigel found,” I say and open the folder he sent me.
