Page 66 of Wretched Choices

Salvatore

We left the yacht anchored a few miles away from the dock and continued in a speedboat that was waiting for us. Two cars were waiting for us at the agreed spot on the docks, and so were the weapons in the truck.

It’s peaceful. Too peaceful. Is this a trap, or did we just plan this flawlessly?

I drive on the narrow streets of Calabria, passing old houses and architecture whose history is rooted deep in the byzantine era. This is my first time visiting this part of Italy, but I made it my mission to know about the origin of the country my ancestors and their enemies came from.

I drive up the hill toward the home my wife ran away from, being on alert about where and who I pass until we reach the sign forVilla dell'Amore Eterno.

I scan the area, looking for anything suspicious before I park down from the mansion, near the neighboring houses.

I turn toward Isabella. “Wait here, I will take one man. The rest will stay with you.” She isn’t as anxious as before, but still, there is worry on her face. “Now, give me a kiss. It may well be my last one if your father decides to put a bullet in my head,” I joke, but she nudges my shoulder and annoyance simmers in her eyes.

“Don’t joke like that.”

I smirk. “Then kiss me.” She does.

I exit my car and give orders to my men, taking one of them with me. The walk up to the gate of the mansion is not long, and when we arrive, I’m once more surprised that the gate is open and there is no guard. I walk toward the main door. I look around the garden full of trees and flowers.

Before I can knock on the door, it opens and an older man looks at me before he asks in Italian, “Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Signore Ruggeri.”

“Is he expecting you?”

“I hope he is,” I say, even though that is not the truth.

“Follow me, Signore.”

I follow him as he exits and rounds the house to the back. The path is covered with rose bushes on each side, and I inhale the scent as I pass toward the pavilion, where I can see three men.

One is lean and wearing an expensive suit. His silver hair contrasts with his sun-kissed skin, and I recognize him as Isabella’s father. Two young men, probably soldiers, stand beside him.

When they see me, they go for their weapons. I don’t show any emotions as I approach with my hands in the air, as does the man with me.

“I don’t have any weapons,” I say loud enough for them to hear me.

They don’t speak however, Ruggeri gives his men a signal and they approach us. If Ruggeri recognizes me, he doesn’t show it.

When they are close enough, one stops us to search us for any weapons. I don’t need weapons to defend myself. I came here with a purpose, and that is not to fight. As the man searches us, my eyes never leave Ruggeri's. After his men have made sure we’re clean, they let us pass.

“You have some balls showing up here, and without my daughter. Where is she?”

“She is safe.” I look around and stop near the table. “I come in peace as we couldn’t make any deal remotely. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.” He observes me for a moment before he stands and gives me his hand, and in this moment, I know I will have my alliance. The question is, what is the price?

“This is Carmine Fortuna, my consigliere.” He gestures toward the man on his right side, who still has a cautious look on his face. “And his son, Pino.” If looks could kill, I would have been a dead man. Carmine stands and offers his hand, but his son doesn’t.

Cutting through the awkward moment between Pino and me, his father tries to laugh it off. “Don’t mind my son. From a young age, he was very protective of Isa. They were practically raised together.”

A strange feeling overwhelms me. Rage and burning build from the pit of my stomach and climb up to my chest, wrapping around my lungs. The monster in me wants to come out and play. He’s already set his eyes on his next victim.

My hands close into fists to control my emotions, and I breathe in and out slowly.

I’m in control.

Ruggeri clears his throat. “Let's sit, shall we?” Ruggeri signals to us before sitting himself. “You are a long way from home, Salvatore.”

“Maybe. Let’s talk about the reason I’m here.”

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