Page 59 of Wretched Choices

“We have to go.” I throw the money on the table and stand up, heading for the door.

Isabella catches up behind me. “Why? What’s happening?”

“Dante has my traitor.”

I left Valentino with Isabella in the hotel and went to meet Dante at Twenty-Seven, where Dante has my father’s consigliere.

It’s late in the afternoon, and other than the manager and a few workers, there is no one here.

I place my hand on the screen to open the double metal door of the room under the club. This space is similar to the one in the hotel. It’s mostly used by Dante. The last time I used this room was years ago.

Entering, my eye catches those of Bernardo. He knows what’s coming and he wants to show me how strong he is. I know he isn’t scared, otherwise he would never be my father’s right-hand.

Dante has him already stripped and bound to a chair, his hands behind his back and his legs strapped to the foot of the chair. His time-ravaged skin is flushed red, probably from trying to wrestle himself out.

“You have plotted against me.” I slowly take one step after another. “I know you were my father’s loyal lapdog, but I never knew why you hated me so much. Even before I killed him.”

His jaded eyes flick toward me, filled with hatred. “You were supposed to be loyal to him, to do as he said. But you had to rebel against him. Each year you grew older, your spirit grew more rebellious.” Angry redness spreads across his chest and neck, rising up his face. “And what’s worse, his soldiers liked you more. I warned him. I told him one day you would overpower him.” He shakes his head. “Arturo didn’t listen. He gave you the freedom to start and build a business for yourself to be more than mafioso, thinking only of the money you would make for him. Your business grew, he grew. He was so proud of you, but you stabbed him in the back and killed him.” He spits near my feet. “I vowed on his grave to avenge him, and I am.” He laughs darkly. “You are going down. No matter what happens to me, there are others. You think Casto and the others weren’t the only ones? There are others, and they are coming. They are not alone.”

Two years ago, I found out there were traitors who wanted me gone. With the help of Matteo Rossi, I found out before it wastoo late. They were dealt with. Since then, Matteo has been one of my most loyal men.

“Oh, I know there are men. Men like you. Small-minded, depraved, who would love to see me gone, but unfortunately for them, I know how to win, and I will.” I take a step toward him until my feet touch his. I wrap my hand around his neck, squeezing enough for him to take shallow breaths.

“I’ll make a deal with you. If you tell me who you are conspiring against me with, I promise Dante here will make it easy for you. If not, you know his work. You’ve seen it before. He will make you beg for the end.”

Fear flashes across his face, but it’s gone in the same second. His voice is barely a whisper when he looks me dead in the eye. “I’ll take my chances.”

I squeeze hard until his eyes bulge out and his face turns blue but let go before I can end his miserable life.

I step aside with a nod at Dante, giving him a sign to start. He approaches Bernardo with a blank look on his face, completely detached.

I take my place in the corner of the room and wait.

Wait for him to break.

Wait for him to spill his secrets.

twenty-four

Isabella

I’ve been pacing from one room to another, waiting for Salvatore to come back. The look on his face when he left me with Valentino was the same one I saw the night we were attacked.

I’m not sure why I’m worried. Even to me, it makes little sense. I should ignore him, hate him for forcing me to choose and marry him. But I don’t. Even before I investigated him, I was fascinated by him.

His only fault is that he represents everything I hate.

Still, here I am, worrying.

I sigh and fold my legs underneath me as I sit on the couch. Resting my head on the cushion, I close my eyes, letting the darkness take over.

I startle when the door of the suite closes. With one look at the clock, I can see it’s way past midnight. I stand when Salvatore reaches me. There’s blood on his clothes.

“Whose blood is that?”

“It’s not mine if that’s what you’re asking.” Without sparing me a look, he turns and leaves. I hear the door of the bathroom in his en suite close behind him, leaving me to stare at the space behind where he stood.

Is this what I get for waiting for him? My feet carry me before I can second-guess my decision. I open the door of the bathroom and come to a halt at the wall of muscle under the shower. His face is to the wall and his hand rests on it, his head raised high toward the shower that’s cleaning the redness off his skin. I close the door behind me with a loud click, announcing my presence.

---