Page 22 of Shattered Choices

“What the hell, Torre? What did you get yourself into?”

“What are you talking about?” I mutter.

I can sense his irritation through his voice. “That man is a Raggruppamento Operativo Speciale agent. You know what that is, right? His job is putting mafiosi in prison.”

I sigh. “He’s following Isabella.”

“If you want her to go back with you, you need to warn her. If that agent is watching her, he is onto something big.”

“How big are we talking?”

He chuckles. “How should I know what business your girl is doing?”

“I see. Any tips?” I ask.

“Don’t get caught.”

“Nice talking to you, Rocco. Wish me luck.”

I end the call and contemplate what to do. I take a photo of everyone in the area who looks suspicious and wait until Isabella is done with her pampering. I wait to see who follows her andwatch as the beat-up car drives behind Isabella. The idiot who is driving her doesn’t even notice. He didn’t even notice me.

I take my phone and call her.

Ring. Ring.

Decline.

Of course she declines.

I try again, and she declines again.

Salvatore: You are being followed by ROS.

Isabella: How do you know that?

That’s what she’s asking? How I know? I shake my head and a growl escapes me.

Salvatore: Because I do. Where are you going?

Isabella: Not your business.

Fuck.

I follow the agent so I have both of them on my radar. Isabella’s car stops in front of the restaurant, and she exits, not even looking around her.

What are you doing, Isabella?

Another car pulls up, and a woman gets out. Isabella greets her with a kiss on the cheek. They walk together into the restaurant, leaving me with a head full of questions.

It’s only after they enter that I see more familiar faces around the restaurant. Some of them were outside the beauty salon.

The commotion in the front of restaurant and more Carabinieri are increasing, and I know they are going to arrest someone.

I don’t wait to see what’s going to happen because I know. I exit the car and go into the restaurant. At the side, I can see Isabella’s driver being stopped by one of the Carabinieri, and I hurry inside. When I see her, I feel relieved, even if just for a moment because the trouble is going to follow us.

I approach her table, and when she notices me, she narrows her eyes. Ignoring her look, I lean in and whisper in her ear, “There are Carabinieri all over the place. They arrested your driver. Follow me and don’t draw attention to yourself.”

There are no questions asked as she excuses herself and follows me towards the bathroom. When we’re out of sight, I take her by the elbow and rush us through the kitchen, ignoring curses and the questions from the staff. We hurry through to the back exit.

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