Page 24 of Wretched Choices

I need to get out of here.

I turn to take my purse, only to be seized by him. He stands in front of me with a vicious grin on his face, his eyes still dark, the blue no longer visible.

“I’m afraid I’m going to need an answer now.”

“You can’t be serious.” My voice breaks. I plead with him with my eyes, a flicker of hope still burning inside me.

“Of course I’m serious. I’m not laughing, am I? I assure you I’m very serious when it comes to my business.” I take a step back from him and grip my purse in the hope of calming down. “You are a smart woman, Bella. You might think you can escape, but that will not be happening. Because no matter what you may want to choose, you will stay here, and I can be sure you won’tdisappear again.”

The flicker of hope I felt is switched off by his words, and I glare at him. His emphasis ondisappearing againdid not go unnoticed.

I can’t do this.

I start to panic, but I close my eyes and take deep breaths to control my anxiety. When I’ve calmed myself, I sit down on the sofa, my eyes assessing him, calculating his reaction.

“I don’t want this life. Why would you force me to do something I don’t want? I ran away from this life, and I don’t want to go back to it.”

“It’s not about what you want. That choice was taken away from you the day you were born as your father’s daughter.However, I can make this life bearable for you. I will give you a choice to leave when I have reached what I want.”

No one leaves this life. The only way out is death.

Like she did.

But Salvatore said I can negotiate. Maybe he is a man of his word.

“How can I trust you? We both know the truth. Once you are in this life, there is only one way out. Or am I wrong? I can’t possibly believe anyone would have a choice to leave this life. Won’t you be scared I’ll betray you?”

He looks at me from where he is sitting on the edge of his desk, studying me, and then a laugh escapes him. “Oh, Bella, you think you could speak out? Try and see if anyone will believe you.”

Anger rises inside me because I know what he says is true. “Why wouldn’t they?” I challenge.

“Because I have connections that will make anything I want disappear, including you, if you try. And this is not a threat, it’s a promise.” His words are so easy, so simple, but the meaning of them is strong.

I believe him when he says this is not just a threat. And deep down, I have a feeling there is more to this. The feeling in my gut says there are unspoken things left, but what?

“And don’t forget if you decide to go with the marriage choice, we still can negotiate terms.”

I laugh and start pacing again, feeling like a caged animal. “What terms? Please enlighten me, because I can’t understand how I can negotiate the terms of something I don’t want to agree to.”

“Well, how about this? I will divorce you afterwards, after I have my alliance. Second, I don’t plan to cage you. You will still be free to live your life as you please, but a little disclaimer here. Being my wife will come with specific expectations that we will discuss if you choose that road.”

I keep quiet for a while. I just stand there glaring at him.

“No,” I say firmly.

He can’t make me. I can fight my past.

I’m a grown-up. He can’t make me go back.

I clench my fists and take a step toward him. “You can’t make me choose. I’m going to leave now, and you are going to forget who I am, as I will forget about you. I will never write or research about you. I will even make it my mission that you never be mentioned.” This time, I take my purse and march toward the exit.

“If you walk out that door, my offer will no longer be valid. Which means I will send you to your father.” Salvatore’s voice echoes in my ears, but I don’t listen. “There are two of my men outside who will not so nicely escort you to my jet and you will be shipped back to him. So before you open that door, think again.”

My hand stops on the handle, but I don’t waver. I take a breath and open it. He can’t just ship me back like I’m cargo.

Unfortunately for me, he was telling the truth. Behind the door, there are two men. They look at me, and when one of them takes a step forward, I take a step back and slam the door.

My head falls against the door and the tears threaten to spill from my eyes. I force them away, and through gritted teeth, I give Salvatore my answer. “Fine, let’s negotiate.”

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