Page 90 of Wretched Choices

I don’t register how many kicks I receive to my upper body or my face. All I can feel is warmth in my mouth and the copper taste of my blood that I try not to swallow so I don’t choke on it.

But the thing that I last remember is warmth between my legs that has nothing to do with wetting myself. It’s the loss of my dreams and hope. I let the tears run down my bruised face and let the darkness take over.

thirty-six

Salvatore

“Where the hell are you?” Marco curses, and he never does that.

“What is it?”

“Sabatini was caught on camera near Hall Media. When I called Valentino to tell him to be careful, he was searching for Isabella.” The moment he mentions Isabella, I jump from my chair and grab my keys before leaving my office.

“What do you mean searching for Isabella? How the hell did he lose her?” Maybe our relationship is not in a good place, but I made sure that she is safe and has everything she needs.

Until now.

“Apparently, she got a phone call and slipped out. I traced the call to the area thirty miles south of Hall Media. Does that mean anything to you?” I open the door of my car and enter. Going still for a second, I can hear the clicking of the keyboard through the phone.

“Maybe,” I say, switching on the car and drive. “I want to know who she spoke to on that call.”

“Already on it. It is well covered. I’ll have it in a few minutes.”

I kill the line and call Isabella; it goes directly to the voice mail.

What are you doing Bella?

I call a few more times, but there’s still no answer.

Fuck.

She could be anywhere.

I kick the steering wheel and clench my fists until they are white. I need to calm down. I need to have a clear head so I can find her.

My phone rings with a call from Marco.

“Talk,” I order.

“The call came from the same area where you caught Bernardo. It came from a diner...”

“Bill’s Diner,” I finish for him, knowing exactly where she was going.

“Yes. I suppose you know where that is?”

“I do. Check for any abandoned warehouses or factories in a twenty-mile radius. Somewhere with electricity and running water. It could be out of sight from the public.” I end the call and dial Gabriel.

“Isabella is missing. And Sabatini was spotted near Hall Media. If he has her, he is planning something. I’m sending you the location where I will go. I want you to gather men and meet me there.”

I end the call before he can say anything and focus on where I’m going and what my next move will be.

I drive over the limit to the place I was with Isabella a few months ago. I should have searched that area the moment I caught the traitorous bastard there. Unfortunately, it’s too late to be sorry. I just hope I find her on time. I can’t even imagine what he will do to her.

I shake my head. I will not go to the places where my darkest nightmares lie.

I park in front of the house I found Bernardo in. This time, I will search the place by myself. The house reeks of mold and cigarettes; it is disgusting. The place looks clean enough. Other than a few leftover takeout boxes, there is no sign anyone was living here. I go through drawers and cabinets until I hear cars arriving. My men are here.

This place is empty. Bernardo made sure he left nothing useful behind him.

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