Page 26 of Wretched Choices

It has been three days since I locked her in my suite. In those three days, I avoided her. I took a room on the floor beneath thesuite and kept busy. Away from her. She kept asking about me, but I refused to talk to her. I gave her space to think and realize that there was no other option and that there is no way out of our little arrangement.

Gabriel asked her about the ceremony, and as suspected, she declined to discuss it with him, demanding to talk to me. I want… no, I need her to stew a little more.

First, I need to secure De Angelo’s cooperation. I need the product he can get me and his partnership in the war against Sabatini.

As they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Four cars are waiting for us, and in front of them is a young man who looks like a young James Dean, wearing jeans and a leather jacket. He looks like a college student going to a frat party, not a capo in the making.

“I thought he was older,” I say to Gabriel.

“He is twenty-seven. Besides, he’s lying low. He needs to blend in with the people on the streets. Connect with them. For now, the only business he owns legally and as a formality is the gym. He is, after all, an excellent boxer. Even if he studied, it was more for his father. As you would say, for tactical reasons.”

His taunting comment doesn’t pass me by.

“Fuck you, asshole,” I say. I get off the plane and stride toward Nico De Angelo.

“De Angelo, it is a pleasure to meet you,” I say, giving him my hand.

He takes it. “The pleasure is all mine. Call me Nico. After all, we are beyond the formalities.”

“Sure we are.” I scan my surroundings before I slide into the waiting SUV, Gabriel beside me and Nico in the front with another guy.

“This is Mack. He will stay by my side today.” I can feel Gabriel stiffen beside me when Mack smirks in the review mirror. I wantto ask what Gabriel’s problem is, but knowing what he said to me, it has to be because of his visit last time.

Mack doesn’t say a word as he starts the car and drives us to our destination.

The famous gym is situated in a crowded neighborhood in the downtown of the city.

The moment we enter the gym, we’re hit with the scent of sweat and the sound of flesh slapping. In the ring is a young woman who is landing punches on a man. He looks in good shape, but he has no clue how to fight.

Nico curses and whistles to the young man who was standing in the small crowd around the ring, summoning him with a wave of his fingers.

“What happened?” Nico asks.

“The guy was training with Zack when she showed up. She was doing her thing when he started saying things he shouldn’t. She warned him not to insult her, but he kept going. The rest I don’t need to tell you.”

“Damn.” He shrugs his jacket off and jumps into the ring, pulling her from the guy.

I turn to look at Gabriel, who is staring at the people in the ring, his eyes shining with admiration and a smirk on his face.

“I can see it now.” I chuckle.

“You can see what?” he asks, his eyes never leaving the ring.

“Why you would stay here for a week. Is she the infamous sister?”

“Fuck you.”

Nico comes back holding a young woman. Her huge green eyes hold a mischievous look that is directed at Gabriel, her long ash blond hair in two braids that fall down her sides.

“Sorry about this. Give me five and I will be back with you. You can look around. Be my guest,” Nico says before he drags her with him. She gives Gabriel a dirty look.

I click my tongue. My eyes focused on Gabriel. “That’s one wildcat.”

Gabriel shakes his head. “Let’s take a tour. After all, it reminds me of old times.”

I chuckle.

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