Page 74 of Wretched Choices

I don’t rely on luck, but the fact I didn’t get shot is lucky. If I moved half an inch, I would have been shot straight in my head. Instead, the bullet passed just few millimeters beside my head and hit the car window, breaking it into pieces.

I fire my gun at Sabatini. Unfortunately, when he didn’t get me, he ran away and none of the bullets I released hit him. He gets into a car and I want to go after him, but the grip on my hand stops me. Isabella’s fingers crush into my biceps, stopping me from following him.

“Get in. We need to get out of here.” I glance in the direction of where Sabatini was before I listen to her and get inside.

Valentino is in the driving seat. He brought Isabella and her friend here, as per Isabella’s request. We drive the girls home first. After that, I tell Valentino to drive us to the new place I bought.

It’s not the way I wanted to tell Isabella I bought us a house so she can feel she’s living in a real home like she wants.

“Where are we going?” she asks after we drive in a different direction than usual.

I take her hand between both of mine and bring it to my lips, kissing it. “We’ll be there soon and you’ll see.”

I could have been killed. I could have lost her and never seen her again. My heart beats hard in my chest.

She doesn’t press for more information, and I let out a breath. I can’t deal with her pushing me. Not when I’m on the edge. Losing all support led Sabatini to attack my club, or was it an attack on me?

As soon as I show Isabella the house, I will deal with the situation. By then, Gabriel should have dealt with the fallout.

We drive through the gate of the gated community and pull up in front of the stone colonial manor I bought for us.

I look through the window, satisfied with the decision I made to buy this house. After our deal is over, she will be safe here.

I exit the car first, taking in my surroundings. I turn toward the door and give her my hand.

She looks at me with confusion on her face. “Where are we?” she asks, clutching my hand.

“Home,” I say with a smile. “We’re home.”

She turns to me, her eyes searching my face for the answers. Something she does when she doubts what I’m saying.

“You own this?”

“No, I don’t. You do.”

Her lips part for a second. “I…? How?”

I give her another bright smile. “I bought it for you. You always complain about the hotel and how it’s not a home.” I take a step toward her, intertwining my hand in her hair. “This wasn’t the way I wanted to tell you. The house needs decorating. It’s not ready to move in other than one bedroom and the kitchen. I guess now you can do the decorating yourself.”

She stares at me, her eyes unblinking, glistening. Her pale cheeks turn pink.

Before I can react, she throws herself at me, kissing me. I wrap my hand around her waist and pull her toward me. Her hands pull at my hair while I lose myself in her, kissing her lips, chasing her tongue.

Coughing from behind me interrupts us, and I pull from her, remembering Marco and Valentino came here with us.

When I turn toward the sound, Marco has his tablet already in action and typing. Valentino gives me a nod. “The area is clear from the inside and outside, boss.”

My eyes turn toward Marco. “I’ll be setting you up with a security system in the next two hours since you missed informing me beforehand.” He shakes his head, worry on his face. “I’ll focus on places that are a priority for your safety before I organize the rest.” He shoots me a look over his glasses. If he was anyone else, he would already be shot dead, but I knowMarco means it from concern, and he doesn’t like anything half-done.

“I wasn’t planning to move here soon,” I say.

He shrugs and keeps typing. I take Isabella’s hand and lead her through the double solid wooden doors inside the house.

We enter the foyer that spans the home from the front to the back.

Her eyes sparkle as they assess the area, taking in the surroundings. “This is beautiful.”

“Let me give you the tour.” I take her hand and lead her toward the living room. Our feet echo in the empty space as we walk on the wooden floors.

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