Page 21 of Wretched Choices

Ruggeri’s medical report says he had an injury when he was younger, and because of it, he couldn’t have any kids. Isabel was his miracle, and he made her his princess.

Downing the rest of my drink, I lean back in the chair in my father’s office. Marco left me hours ago, and I’ve read this report so many times that I’ve memorized it.

I’ve been thinking about the outcome of the situation I’m in. War or no war. Now, war is always the better solution.

Sometimes, war is needed to make a statement and claim my throne.

And that is what I will do.

I will sacrifice a small part of my life for that, but I will make my statement and claim my throne. I will leave no choice to those who think they can take over what I have been working for, for which I have lost my humanity. They will fall at my feet and beg me to stay alive. Every traitor who helped Sabatini will also be brought to their knees.

I will not allow people to stab me in the back.

I refuse to live a life where I need to keep looking over my shoulder every second.

I refuse to bow to anyone.

I may lead the family toward a better future and modern mafia life, but that doesn’t mean I will not kill.

That’s why every traitor will be taken down.

I laugh in the darkness filled with ghosts of my father's past. At least now I have a reason, a purpose, an excuse to tarnish her perfect little world and make it mine.

Now, I have reason to let my desire take control until I've used her as I please in every way possible.

“You want to do what?” The shock on Gabriel’s face is obvious. After I woke up with purpose this morning, I called Gabriel to join me in the gym for a sparring session.

I need his opinion about the more strategic side of my plan. Because no matter what he thinks, I will go through with it. Itis one of those ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’ plans.

I cock my eyebrow and use his distraction to deliver him a jab, hitting his jaw on his left side. He stumbles backwards but recovers quickly back to his fighting stance.

“Have any better ideas?”

We circle one another, studying each other. Since we were teenagers, we both boxed. I left as soon as my father needed me by his side, but he kept fighting and still does sometimes. He has won a few belts and trophies, and has a whole fan circle. Mostly girls he has no interest in.

I don’t need to be number one in boxing. I can defeat him either way.

Jab, cross, hook. The last one lands on my midsection, hitting my ribs hard. He did that on purpose.

“How about you just make a deal with Ruggeri? Give him his daughter back and secure the alliance?”

“I may leave her to choose,” I pant. I get closer to him. In my stance from one foot to another, we weave and bob, avoiding each other's punches.

“And you’re sure she will choose you?”

“I’m sure she will because that will be her only choice. The other choice she will not want but need.” I take a step back and aim a hook at his jaw. We keep baiting one another until we’re bruised and out of breath.

“Now, let’s talk about the more strategic side of this plan,” I say after we sit exhausted on the bench outside the ring.

Dante and I have been through a lot together and I trust him with my life. His concern is understandable because this is who he is. He thinks before deciding what to say or do. He is a strategist, a rational man who was by my side from the very beginning. His support and the support of other men who want to be by my side are leading this family into the future, creating abetter life for them as just mere criminals. Power is a wonderful thing, a game, in which I prefer to be the creator, exerting control that I plan to use for a purpose. For my family and the promise of a better future and modern mafia.

My plan will give me more power and make me new allies. And maybe, just for a while, it will scratch the itch that has been bothering me for a few weeks now.

While Gabriel and I work on strategies and plans for our defense in the war that was unwanted but brought to me, all I can think about is her big brown eyes and how they will look when I tell her what I want.

nine

Isabella

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