Page 82 of Wretched Choices

“After you have swept over your territories and arranged the lookout, all we can do is wait. As I said before, use whatever you need. Money should not be a problem. And don’t underestimate the work you and all your men need to put in before we even come to the phase of waiting. I want each one of you to inform me about any developments. ” I look at each one of them. “If you have nothing else to discuss that is important, I think it’s time to end this meeting. Unfortunately, the Twenty-Seven club is closed for the next few weeks, so you will not be able to have fun tonight. However, I have organized a dinner for you in the hotel. Unfortunately, I will not be joining you. There are things I need to deal with.”

I use the opportunity of commotion to exit, avoiding being stopped for further questions.

Now, I need to assess my marriage and my relationship with Isabella, including where things are going.

thirty-three

Isabella

I expected Salvatore to ghost me like he did before. He disappeared yesterday; however, he did come home late. I could feel the dip of the bed when he lay next to me and his kiss on my neck before he wrapped his hand around my waist.

That didn’t last long, because when I woke up, he was gone.

I tried to call him, but he didn’t answer. I thought I overheard the guards saying that he had a meeting with his underbosses.

And while he is planning how to conquer this war, I have been pacing the empty house that needs furnishing and trying to come up with ideas of how to make this house our home.

Even if I still don’t quite understand his intentions, the things he said yesterday made me more confused. The evidence of last night all over my body, that in some twisted way, I like.

I open my laptop to do some research and look for the things I want to put in the house.

While I’m browsing through the internet, I don’t hear the door behind me open, so when hands wrap around my waist from behind, I startle but immediately relax when I smell Salvatore’s spicy cologne. I relax in his arms as he kisses my neck.

“You didn’t answer my phone calls,” I say.

He buries his head in my neck. “I was busy, and I didn’t know what to say to you.”

“And now you know what to say to me?”

He rests his chin on my shoulder. “No, but I’m willing to discuss things with you.”

“You are?” I’m shocked for a second. “I don’t know what to say to that. Usually, you demand things, not discuss them. Or you give choices that are not actually choices.”

He chuckles. “Well, I’ve learned a few things.”

“Good for you. I know that what you told me impacted your decisions, but maybe it’s not all bad as you think.”

“Maybe.” He stills for a moment. “But that was not the discussion I had in mind. How about we fill this place with some furniture, make it our home so we can look forward?”

I don’t answer; I ask what bothers me. “Did you catch him?” I don’t need to say the name for Salvatore to know who I meant.

“No. He disappeared. However, we have things under control.”

“Where could he go?”

He takes a step from behind me and turns me to him, his eyes piercing mine. “No idea, but as long as he is out there, we need to be careful. You need to be careful and keep Valentino and Santino by your side whenever you are outside.”

I search his eyes that are pleading with me not to argue with him. “I will.”

He traces the back of his fingers across my cheek. His eyes twinkle. “You didn’t answer my question.”

I bite my lower lip, raising a teasing brow. “What question?”

He smirks. “Want to make this place a home so we can move forward?”

I beam at him. “Yes, please.”

“Thank God. Now, let's do some shopping. Because this place echoes every word we say, and I hate to let my men hear you when I make you come.”

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