Page 28 of Wretched Choices

And that’s the reason I stride down to his office, followed by a bulky man whose name I don’t know, who is obviously appointed to guard me. Since I wasn’t locked in the suite, I guess I’m not a prisoner, but still, I can’t run away. There is no use. He would find me.

I called the office and told them I’m working from home, knowing the man would follow me and I don’t want people asking questions. Questions I don’t have answers to.

I need to know what I got myself into.

I stride down the hallway. The one I sneaked down that night when I first fell into his clutches. I guess I underestimated him. I should have listened to my boss and left the story alone. But I’m too stubborn for that.

Without knocking, I burst into his office. The scene in front of me doesn’t surprise me. After all, most men are the same.

The blond, the same woman from the dinner at the club, is behind him. What looks like a shoulder massage is much more. She has her hand deep inside his open shirt. One of her hands explores his front, the other hand on his back, her fake tits on display.

I slam the door behind me with a bang before Salvatore can bark at my guard to escort me out.

I straighten my shoulders and clench my fist, and with a sway of my hips, I walk slowly toward him, never taking my eyes from him. Even if they aren’t fucking, I know this is foreplay. I didn’texpect him to be faithful. No mafia man is. But it angers me, makes my skin tingle. I don’t get why. The woman doesn’t stop for a second, her sole focus on Salvatore.

Great.

“We need to talk,” I say, taking a seat on the couch.

“About?” he asks, unbothered that I interrupted him.

“There are a few things I need to discuss.”

He raises his eyebrows. “I’m listening.”

“Alone,” I say firmly, looking from him to the woman.

He looks at me for a few seconds before turning to the woman. “Leave us.”

And she does, no questions asked. She parades herself and walks past me, giving me a piercing stare and a sneer. I ignore the fire in my stomach and focus on Salvatore.

After she closes the door behind her, he leans back in his chair, his eyes on me the whole time.

“What do you want to discuss?”

Now is the time. Time to negotiate for my life. If I can’t escape this, I will make it work, but on my conditions. I will ignore the flutter in my belly every time I’m near him, and the tingling of my skin. Even the anger that crawls inside me because a woman touched him.

“You are a very difficult man to find any kind of dirt about, and by that, I mean you as the don. As a businessman, the CEO of the Lotus Group, you give to the world only what you want them to know.” I shake my head, folding my hands in front of me. “I have asked people, used every favor I could to find dirt about you, and all I found was some angry journalist’s blog. And he refused to answer my questions.” I unfold my hands and lean forward. “Not even an affair, or a scandal. After what I just saw, it makes sense. I’m guessing she’s sucking your dick too. It’s convenient, especially when she’s working for you. But do you want to knowone thing that I learned about you?” I look him in the eyes for the first time since I entered. There’s a bemused look on his face.

He raises his eyebrows. “I’m guessing you’re going to tell me.”

I chuckle. “You are very tactical, man. You don’t do a thing without consideration. You are not hotheaded. And that’s why I know you need me for something, and not Isabel Roberts, but Isabella Ruggeri. Tell me I’m wrong.”

His lips twitch, his gaze analyzing me. For a moment, all I hear is the thumping of my heart.

“Where are you going with this?” he asks, not bothering to answer my question.

I stand and walk toward the liquor table in the corner of the room. From the corner of my eye, I can see Salvatore observing me, probably trying to figure out what I want. He didn’t even bother to button his shirt back up. I pour us both drinks then pass him his, and he takes it. I lean my butt on the table in front of him. Two inches to the right and I could be between his legs.

I swallow before chasing those thoughts out of my head.

I cradle the drink near my chest, my focus on the wall before me. “You need an alliance with my father and you’re going to use me for that. The question is why?” I turn my head and look in his bemused blue eyes. “And before you deny it, I will tell you I know the game. I know how this works. That is the reason I ran away.” I take a sip of the strong drink that slips down my throat, burning it. “Since I don’t want you to send me back to my father, I’m going to need to make a deal with you. I want in on whatever your plans are. I want to know what you’re using me for.”

He chuckles and raises his eyebrows. “And why would I do that? I already have you here. I offered you your terms, and due to your lack of decision, you are now playing undermyterms.”

My courage raises a notch and the speech I practiced before I came is mixed with emotions I didn’t expect.

“You know what will get you out in the spotlight? An unwilling bride. I could start yelling and saying I don’t want this. I will make noise and bring attention to me, and you couldn’t use me. You would lose.”

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