Page 25 of Wretched Choices

Two hands appear by each side of my head, and I feel the warmth of Salvatore behind me, caging me. He speaks in my ear, sending chills down my body.

“Sorry, Bella. That offer has just expired. The new one says that you have to prepare yourself because in two weeks, you will become my wife, and on my terms.”

What the hell did I get myself into?

ten

Salvatore

After I escorted Isabel to the room of my suite, I waited outside for Dante. I called for him to guard Isabel. The prize I caught is too precious to have it guarded by anyone other than him.

He is the only man I can trust to do this properly. It’s not my men I don’t trust, it’s her. I need to be careful because I don’t know what she’s capable of. Dante will know what to do in any situation, and he is not easily fooled. Maybe it’s because of his lack of emotions or how everything needs to be logical to him. Either way, I can rely on him.

I gave Isabella two weeks. The sooner I make an alliance with Ruggeri, the better, making me one step ahead of Sabatini.

I could have just made arrangements and shipped her back to her father, but I knew she would never choose that route. Besides, marriage is perfect for any kind of alliance with Ruggeri.

I need this marriage, not that I have everwantedto get married. Marriage leads to a family, but my world is too cruel to bring a child into. And I don’t plan on bringing any into this world.

Isabel will not get a house with a white picket fence or two-point-four children. What she gets is a choice. I gave her the chance to choose her own boundaries and terms; she refused. Now,Iget to set the terms of our marriage.

This is only business. A strategy to use against my enemies. It doesn’t matter that she smells like citrus and flowers or the way she looks at me with her big brown eyes filled with secrets, trying to figure me out. I don’t know what I want from her, but what I do know is that I will use her as a bargaining chip.

However, I don’t want any blood to be shed or innocent people to die. This is what I worked for. This is my legacy, one I killed my father for, and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way.

I exit the elevator, stroll toward Gabriel’s office, and enter without knocking. I find him with a sour look on his face as he scrolls on his phone.

“Why the look?” I ask as I sit in the chair in front of his desk.

“De Angelo called. He has established power in a few locations his father had before. He’s establishing his authority more and more every day. However, he still wants that meeting.”

“Arrange the meeting in three days, on his territory. And ask him for another shipment of weapons. We need to be prepared if we get attacked.” I inspect his face. “But I suppose that’s not the reason for your discomfort?”

“Actually, it is.” He pushes a hand through his hair. “Look, when I was there last time, I almost hooked up with a girl. However, before anything happened, I found she was De Angelo’s sister. After I found out who she was, I left, though I’m not sure what her intentions were that night. From what we know about them, they are not that conservative. However, she was a bargaining chip to her father. He was looking for a high bidder to give her to before he got arrested. I’m not sure she told her brother that I almost fucked her, and I sure didn’t.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Will this be a problem for you working with De Angelo?”

“No, of course not. I just wanted you to know before the meeting.”

“Noted. Just so you know,” I add, with a grin, “you are going to bear any consequences if there are any to be.”

He stays silent and nods before running his hand over his face.

Changing the subject, I say, smirking, “I gave Isabel two weeks’ notice about the wedding. I need you to organize everything. Maximum fifty people and ask her who she wants to be present. Just a small ceremony in the church.”

He raises his eyebrows, a bemused look on his face. It is his turn to question me.

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s for technical reasons. She is a devoted Catholic, as is her family. Marrying in front of God is the only thing they will take seriously.”

He raises his hands in defeat. “I didn’t say anything.”

“But you wanted to. I can read your expressions.”

“Well, like I told you, it is a good idea. But don’t get lost in the game, Salvatore.”

“I won’t.” At least, I hope I won’t.

As soon as my plane touched down in Chicago, we were all on high alert. This was not our territory, but I had ten of my people with me and Gabriel. Dante stayed in New York, watching over Isabel.

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