Page 51 of Wretched Choices

Salvatore

The moment Isabel is asleep, I slip out of bed and dress. Now, even more than before, I’m sure I should have sent her to her father. But it’s too late.

We both made a choice.

I, however, thought nothing could bring my demons back to life. I thought I’d put them in the ground with my father the day I killed him.

Long before that night, I discovered the monster he was. All the disgusting things he did. I planned for his death and the decision was made never to be like him, no matter how alike we were. I promised myself never to let the monster in me out. Itworked just fine before I laid my hand on her. I shouldn’t have, but I did. Everything I did from that night when I found her in my office I never should have done.

I never should have listened to her and lay beside her. I guess I’m more my father’s son than I thought.

Before I leave the room, I look at her sleeping. She too is hiding more than she wants to admit. Is that all because she is afraid of her father?

Sabatini. The bastard wants to intimidate me on my ground, but I will not give him that pleasure.

On my way to my office, I stop outside the suite to give instructions to Valentino, who was already waiting for me.

“You will not let her leave this suite until I come back.”

He nods. “Understood, boss.”

Getting into my private elevator, I enter the code and press the button for the ground floor. This has taken too long. My plan to get Ruggeri on board has escalated. I need him to agree on the alliance, but patience is key.

Being patient while he gets frustrated and angry will be crucial for my attack on him.

But first, I need to know all about who is by his side and what resources he has. The list of people who want me gone may be long, but most of them are people we have agreements or business with.

When I enter my office, Dante and Gabriel are already in a deep discussion that only stops for a moment before they fill me in.

“We got the motorcycle driver’s name. Stefano Gallo. He is Sabatini’s right-hand man,” Gabriel informs me.

“Of course he is,” I say.

“And I have names and all the information needed about every man that turned his back on Camorra, according to Di Angelo.”He stands, pouring all of us drinks. His jaw ticks from pressing his teeth together. “There’s more.”

I take a drink from him. “Go on.”

“Di Angelo wants insurance for our agreement. He wants to bind our families together.” He pauses for a second before adding, “With the marriage.”

I chuckle. Of course he wants insurance. “I assume he had someone in mind since he proposed this.”

“Not exactly. He wants to know if you’re willing to bring our families together. And I quote, ‘Together, we are stronger against our enemy.’”

“Well, that is maybe the truth, but I’m married. Any other person needs to have a high rank. So, who do you think will sacrifice himself?”

The room falls silent as he stares into the distance. I exchange a look with Dante, who shrugs and goes back to playing with the knife between his hands.

“I’ll do it.” Gabriel’s voice fills the silence.

“You? I always thought you wanted to fall in love then marry. You know there will be no escape from this marriage.”

“This is more important. This is war. If we don’t survive the war, I’ll never find what I’m looking for. At least this way I will get something.”

“And that is?”

“With this arrangement, we get stronger together. Nico is better than his father. Men respect him more. Even the Commission is ready to give him a chair. The men who went rogue and joined Sabatini are coming back, begging for forgiveness that they don’t get, which is making his reputation ruthless.”

“How much territory has he regained?”

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