Page 16 of Wretched Choices

He wanted a rise out of me, and he got it. Cursing under my breath, I call Marco.

“Boss,” he answers on the first ring.

“Isabel Roberts. What do you have for me?” I skip the pleasantries. He knows me and knows when I need something.

“Well, I have everything from the last eight years, but I don’t have a damn thing before that. It’s like she never existed. At least, not in the USA. I reached a friend who told me to check Interpol, so I’m working on it. I’ll need to expand my research.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, one reason for lack of information would be if she changed her name and her record was sealed. It could be a lot of things. Like witness protection or similar.”

“Right, send me what you’ve got, and I need her address. I want everything about her as soon as possible.”

“On it.”

For the last hour, maybe more, I lost track of time since I got Isabella’s file. I had everything about her for the last eight years. Nothing very interesting. She led a pretty normal life. Every young woman her age does. The question that is bothering me is where was she before that?

The fact she’s asking questions about me and her questionable past, adding to that there is an enemy whose identity is still unknown makes her a danger to the family and our entire organization. But still, there isn’t enough to make her my suspect in this case.

The knock on my door interrupts my thoughts and Gabriel comes in. I sent him to the meeting with the Commission in my place. Since Julio De Angelo was arrested, the commotion between the heads of the family rose, and the trust we had between us was shaken. We couldn’t find out how the feds collected so much evidence against Camorra nor from where it came. Our sources were faced with a brick wall. No matter how deep our connections are, not even Marco could find anything. Whoever it was, did it the old school way and efficiently. The Commission needed to be informed that I have a target on my back and that I’m dealing with the situation. With that said, I need him to secure us with more weapons in case we need them.

“Nice of you to show up,” I tease. He was gone for an entire week. Nothing unusual if the business needs that long. This time, he needed to stay. I was surprised he indulged my request. He’d called and informed me he was coming in for a debriefing.

He sits in the chair opposite me. “It was quite interesting. The goods are safe and secured where they’re supposed to be.”

Translation. The deal went well, and the weapons are secured in my mansion. The mansion that belonged to my father. The one I hate from the depths of my soul. After his death, I put it under a false name so that if anything happened, it would not be connected to me. I use it as a safe base when shit goes down. Ithas the best security and surveillance system that only a few men know of. That’s why all my stash is there. My weapons, money, documents, and some other things.

“Perfect. Did everything go as planned?”

“Nico De Angelo, the new Camorra boss, has requested our help.” He leans on the table. “After his father and the few other members were arrested and most of their assets frozen, they were only left with essentials. They need an alliance and will do whatever is needed.” He raises his eyebrows. “You know as I do that they have the best contacts for suppliers. Besides that, the weapons will never be connected to you. They are the middlemen, and we can get our supplies without worrying about getting caught.”

“Did he mention what they need?”

“No. He requested a meeting. He is willing to come here. And since he was in Europe for the last seven years, he’s not suspected as complicit in his father’s business since he was a minor when he left to study abroad.” He continues with frustration on his face. “Plenty of soldiers left after they arrested his father and his underbosses. He wants to bring the outfit back to their feet.”

“Let Marco do some digging into De Angelo junior, and I want to know how the FBI got Julio De Angelo arrested. Then we can talk about meeting up.”

“Got it,” he says, but he doesn’t get up. He narrows his eyes, a questioning look on his face. “You look distracted.”

I know my friend can read my face without me saying anything. There’s no point in lying. I need his advice anyway.

“The journalist,” I say. “She didn’t drop the story. She keeps snooping around. And I think it’s time for a more personal visit. Plus, her past is raising questions.”

“What kind of questions?”

“I have a report about her life for the past eight years, but before that, nothing.”

“Is Marco looking into it?” he asks. I nod. “Then let him do his job. Let Dante make some pleasant home visits and problem solved.”

I shake my head, there is this heavy feeling in my stomach that shows up every time I think about what I should do. And the images of her in my office keep replaying every time I try to make a decision.

“I just think there is more than that, and my gut has never failed me.”

“Then do what your gut tells you. Just don’t do something you will regret.”

I hope I won’t. I really do.

I waited until nightfall and made my way to the address Marco gave me. After I did a surveillance check around Isabel’s building, I discovered she lives in a pretty decent place. There is no security guard or porter, but the building can only be entered if buzzed in, and it has a good surveillance system.