Page 5 of Wretched Choices

Handsome and flirtatious Ethan Caine. A fine specimen, tall with wide shoulders and gray eyes that have a playful streak in them. He has a firm jaw and a smile that brings women to their knees, and black hair in a style that must have cost hundreds of dollars.

He and Cece see each other off and on, but neither has any interest in commitment. They just enjoy their time together.

Cece, a badass lawyer, is a feminist to her bones. She doesn’t want to commit to a man or have kids. She wants to live her life the way she wants. I want a man who will love me, and to eventually have kids of my own. Maybe that’s because of my Catholic upbringing; the life I lived before I came here. I don’t know, maybe I will figure it out someday. But not today or anytime soon, because now my attention is focused on the conversation between Cece and Ethan. Apparently, he is in desperate need of a date to take to an event he is required to attend.

This is my opportunity, my way in.

I clear my throat before batting my eyelashes at Ethan, and with a sweet voice, I say, “I’ll go with you!”

Ethan looks at me, raising an eyebrow. I look between him and Cece, pleading with her with my eyes to take the hint.

“Will you now?” He chuckles.

“Yes. Cece obviously isn’t up for it, and I have a beautiful dress that I want to show off on this hot body,” I say. Which is a lie. I don’t have a dress, nor do I use my body to get what I want, but he doesn’t know that.

“You do? May I remind you we had an agreement to stay friends?” he asks.

We do have an agreement. After he tried to get me into bed, I told him I’m looking for marriage, and since he isn’t, staying friends is better.

He adds, “What do you really want? Who is the poor guy you’re chasing? Is there a story?”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because youonlychase stories. Bad guys who have wronged someone, and you want to make them pay.”

I look at him for a moment before I sigh. “Fine. I have a story, and this is my way to track the guy. Don’t ask who because I can’t tell you. “

He stays quiet for a moment, but Cece speaks up. “Take her. I can’t go with you. I have something work-related.” She smiles, taking a sip of her drink.

Ethan looks from me to Cece before he rolls his eyes, exhaling defeatedly. “Fine, but you owe me one.”

I will gladly owe him more than one.

This will be perfect. And there is no better man to go with.

three

Isabella

“You look good. But I still think you should have worn that red dress,” Cece says from her seat in the corner of my bedroom.

“This is more appropriate and less eye-catching. I need to blend in with people,” I say, straightening the hem of my emerald dress. It’s a simple deep V-neck satin dress. Backless, with a slit on my left side, and pockets that I love and can use. My long hair is in big curls wrapped in a half updo. My makeup is simple and elegant, and I have red lipstick on my lips. I grab my golden clutch and put in my phone, lipstick, and my survival kit. The survival kit contains a small electro shocker and magicportable self-defense stick that, when closed, is the size of my lipstick and fits perfectly in the pocket of my dress.

I learned the hard way to carry my survival kit. After all, my job can sometimes be dangerous.

“I still think you will attract attention.”

I shrug at her comment and walk into my living room with Cece behind me. Ethan will be here any minute.

“I’m not taking any ID with me, but I have my phone. I have you on my speed dial and will let you know if I’m staying longer than midnight.”

“Why midnight? Are you going to turn into a pumpkin?”

I laugh at her analogy. “No. The dinner is at eight, then the auctions start at ten. What is included in the auction will be revealed when we arrive, so I have two hours to explore. At midnight, there is a special program that’s not for everyone, and no one knows what it is because the mystery was supposed to attract more people to come.”

“You did your research, right? About the one you want to investigate?” She sits on the couch, folding her legs beneath her.

“I did, but there are things that are very vague and suspicious. And my gut is telling me I need to go there. Seeing Ethan that night at the bar was a sign.”

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