And I silently vowed to myself to cultivate a new one.
I wanted a life where I was loved and cherished. I wanted a life where people loved me instead of tried to kill me. I wanted a life where I was respected for my opinions, loved for my advantages, and helped with my downfalls. I wanted a life where there was more love than hate. More tears of happiness than tears of sorrow. I wanted a life filled with light and brightness, not darkness and bloodshed.
But, if this were my plot in life, that didn’t mean I had to do things like Pava. That didn’t mean I had to be ruthless like people thought whenever anyone mentioned the Moretti name. That didn’t mean I had to fall into the same dark footsteps that had preceded me. Because if there were one memory I’d never forget of my father, it was how kind he was—how giving he had always been with his community.
That was the Moretti family I knew.
And if it took disowning my uncle and his family to make that happen, then so be it.
20
Bonnie
“A body has washed up along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Authorities have identified the man as thirty-four-year-old Branson Baker, the General Manager of PetShop Galore.”
I turned up the radio as loud as I could stand it while the announcer kept talking.
“Officials have found that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the back of the head. No word on ballistics yet, though the police are working around the clock to try to find the person responsible for the murder. Branson Baker, a decorated war hero with two purple hearts, will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to his grieving family in their time of need.”
Aerosmith started blaring through the speakers of my car, and I turned them off. As I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel where Israel and I were still staying, my head swirled with so many things. The man had been executed. Was it really a coincidence that he just happened to work for the same shop whose truck slammed into me?
You really don’t know, do you?
I quickly gathered my things and tore out of my car. I rushed into the hotel and didn’t stop moving until I found myself inside the comfort and safety of the hotel’s penthouse suite. My hands trembled as I hung up my purse. I slipped out of my heels and jogged into bedroom Israel and I shared. I pulled out the box of files I kept underneath the bed and rifled through them until I found the files on PetShop Galore.
And when I found a picture of the General Manager, Branson Baker, images flashed through my mind.
“Get down, Miss Bonnie!”
My breathing came in short spurts as the crunching of metal filled my eardrums. I sat down on my ass by the bed as tires squealing filled my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut while the smell of burnt rubber filled my nostrils. And as my mind replayed for me the absent memories I’d been trying to conjure for days now, I saw it.
Him.
The truck driver.
Through the window of the Town Car.
“Branson,” I whispered.
Israel killed that man for me.
I scrambled to put everything back into the box, and I shoved it underneath the bed. But all too soon, I heard the elevator whirring. My eyes bulged as I pulled myself up from the floor, hoping and praying I didn’t look as disheveled as I thought I did.
“Miss Moretti?” A knock came at the door of the penthouse as I ran my fingers through my hair. “Miss Moretti? We need you to open up.”
I walked over to the door and slipped back into my heels. “Who is it?” I asked.
“Police, ma’am.”
My heart stopped in my chest as I fluffed my hair out one last time before opening the door. “Come in, gentlemen. Can I get you anything to drink?”
The two detectives pushed past me and walked straight into the living room.
“Or not,” I said flatly.
The tall, thin one spoke first. “Miss Moretti, we need to ask you a few questions.”
I closed the door. “Then, be my guest.”
The paunch one spoke next. “What can you tell us about Branson Baker?”
I turned to face them. “Not much, I’m afraid.”
Lanky’s eyebrows rose. “Nothing?”
Paunchy chuckled. “Even when your family owns that entire business? You can’t tell us anything about the general manager your uncle hired to run the place?”
I shrugged. “No more than what’s already out there on the news. I don’t have any familiarity with the pet grooming place or with Mr. Baker, as much as it pains me to admit it.”
Lanky snickered. “Cut the shit, Miss Moretti.”
Paunchy slapped his partner in the chest. “What he means is—”
I smiled. “That since I’m the only heir to this Moretti family or whatever, that I suddenly must know everything there is to know about a business I have the intentions of taking over. Right?”
The two men blinked, but they didn’t say anything. And it gave me time to put on an even cooler demeanor. Despite how much I was panicking inside.
“Gentlemen, I’m sorry you wasted a trip over to this side of time. But, I can assure you that the only thing I’ve been working on are a couple of charity events I’ve wanted to throw for quite some time now.”
Paunchy barked with laughter. “Charity? The Moretti family?”
I cocked my head. “Why not? I mean, it’s obvious the reputation my family has. And I don’t doubt that the reputation has merit, given the kind of man my uncle is. But, it doesn’t shock me that he’s led you two here.”
Lanky furrowed his brow. “Led us here?”
I snickered. “Oh, come on. I’m not stupid. I just got done disowning my uncle downtown, and then a body miraculously washes up, and the two of you are curious as to whether or not I did it?”
Paunchy gawked. “You disowned your uncle?”
I licked my lips. “In a manner of speaking, yes.”
Lanky sighed. “Is Mr. Israel Rossi here by any chance, then?”
Not so fast, idiot. “He’s not, I’m afraid. Why? I thought you came to see me.”
Paunchy cleared his throat. “We came to speak to you. But, we also came to speak to him.”
My eyes locked with his. “I’m sure you did.”
I didn’t know how to save Israel. I didn’t know what to do. With two detectives standing here, clearly sent by Pava, I had to choose my words wisely. I had to choose their focus carefully. But, it was clear to me that these men were two bulldogs I wouldn’t get rid of so easily.
“Well, Miss Moretti. Whenever Mr. Rossi does get back, tell him to give me a call,” Paunchy said. He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to me.
“I will do that, Detective. Thank you,” I said.
Lanky leveled me with a stare. “But, once we’ve got evidence, we’ll be back to speak to the both of you. Together. Even if we have to haul you downtown to do it.”
Paunchy grumbled. “Will you cut the tough guy act? Please?”
I kept a soft smile on my face. “Well, if there is any evidence to be had, then we can talk.” I nodded and smiled at both detectives before I reached behind me. I opened the door and ushered them out, listening as they cursed underneath their breaths. I closed the door behind them and let out a soft sigh.
But, when I heard footsteps padding softly down the hallway, I closed my eyes. “You know, the Esposito’s have enough money to buy your innocence, Israel.”
The footsteps stopped. “Are you ready to give up on me that quickly?”
I can’t help him. There’s nothing more I can do for him. I have to make sure he’s okay.
“Yes,” I said, not turning to face him.
“Look me in the eyes and say that, Bonnie.”
I slowly turned around and swallowed my tears as my eyes connected with his. “Yes, Israel. I’m ready to give you up.”
Especially if I had to give him up to the future I knew he was working so hard to preserve.
21
Israel
“Israel Rossi, you’re unde
r arrest for the murder of Branson Baker.”
It all happened in such slow motion. One minute, I was joking around with my brother at the breakfast nook while Bonnie made breakfast and the next moment? I felt the cold, unforgiving metal of handcuffs being slapped against my wrists. I heard Gio yelling at the police in the background. I heard him cursing and threatening them. Telling the officers they’d never get away with such blatant disrespect for personal liberties. Or whatever nonsense he spouted whenever something happened to the family.
It was Bonnie, though. It was her I couldn't take my eyes away from because the look of fear in her eyes crushed me. “It’s going to be all right,” I said.
Bonnie swallowed hard. “Israel, I—”
I shook my head curtly. “Don’t. I’ll be fine.”
The detective tightened the cuffs around my wrists. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will—”
Gio started yelling, “You’ve got no proof. No evidence! Israel, don’t you say a thing. I’m calling our lawyers right now. We’ll have you out of this in—”
Bonnie’s voice fell against my ears. “You should have married her, Israel.”
I blocked everything out as the police hauled me down the hallway. I held Bonnie’s eyes for as long as I could before she disappeared from sight. I knew she thought I should’ve married Alice—gone with the Esposito’s instead of sticking by her side. I’d rather rot in prison, though. I’d rather waste away in a jail cell with a bunkmate named Brutus than waste my life away with a woman I didn’t love. Besides, I didn’t want this life. If taking the throne in my family meant living without Bonnie, I’d gladly run for the rest of my life.
So long as it meant running with her.
“Don’t worry, Iz,” Gio shouted, “I’m going to find you a way out of this!”
Bonnie snickered. “Shut up, Giovanni. You’re bothering the neighbors.”
I grinned as the officers shoved me into the elevator. I stumbled on my feet, my cheek falling against the wall of the metal encasement. I straightened my back quickly, though. I wouldn't allow them to make a fool out of me. I’d walk out of here with my head held high, knowing damn good and well I did everything I could to make sure Bonnie stayed alive.
And safe.
Bonnie couldn't save me from this, anyway. Despite the power she currently wielded in her family, this was beyond the scope of her capabilities. And I didn’t want her to, anyway. I didn’t want her to sully her name and tarnish what she was working toward just to save me. She’d already done that. She already attempted to cover for me. Now, I was my family’s burden.
Not hers.
If living in jail with my memories was all I’d get out of this life, then I could die a happy man. So long as the last woman I kissed, or held, or fucked was Bonnie, I could fall asleep happy and dream of her until someone sliced my neck in prison. I knew it would happen, too. There were plenty of people my family had put away whenever they outlived their usefulness to us. I wouldn't survive a month in a place like that.
“I love you, Bonnie,” I murmured.
The officer snickered. “Save it for the stand, Rossi.”
I slowly turned around and saw Bonnie standing there. As the elevator doors closed, I watched her eyes grow wide. And I knew why. I knew what had happened—she had heard me. She had heard me admit that I loved her for the first time. I held onto her gaze as the doors started to close. I watched her take a step toward me before Gio reached out for her, holding her back.
“I love you too, Israel,” she said.
And with a grieving heart, I swallowed down my tears. “I promise you, everything will be okay. I’ll always be with you. Never forget that,” I said.
Then, the elevator doors closed. Leaving me with nothing but the memory of those words in my ear and the sight of her standing there etched forever in my mind.
With nothing but fear racing behind her eyes.
I’m sorry I failed you, my love.
I kept staring at that elevator. Even as I heard the encasement sliding down the shaft toward the lobby, I stood there. Hoping and praying that this was all a mistake. I felt tears lining my eyes. I felt my knees growing weak. And as Gio led me to a couch to help me sit down, his words kept echoing across my mind.
I love you, Bonnie.
“Bonnie,” Gio said.
I love you, Bonnie.
“Bonnie, can you hear me?”
I love you, Bonnie.
“I love you, too,” I whispered.
“Bonnie!”
I jumped at Gio’s voice. “What?”
He sighed. “I have a way to save Israel. But, you’re not going to like it.”
I slowly looked over at him. “What’s your idea?”
He patted my knee. “Wait here.”
I watched him get up from the couch, and I felt my gut clench. That man had always been a snake, no matter how much he touted the fact that he wanted to help us. I watched him walk down the hallway, disappearing into the kitchen. And when he emerged, I saw a file folder in his hand.
“Here,” he said. He sat back down next to me and put the file against my thighs. “Take a look at it. Go on,” he said.
I flipped it open before I shook my head. “No.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Bonnie, just listen.”
I looked over at him. “No, Gio.”
“I know it looks crazy, but hear me out.”
I stood up, dropping the file to the floor. “I said, no.”
He snickered. “You don’t really have much choice, Bonnie. If you want to save the man you love, this is the only way to do it.”
I furrowed my brow. “Please, Giovanni. Enlighten me as to how marrying you will save Israel.”
He slowly stood. “If you marry me and give me the empire you’ve helped sustain so that I can merge your family with the Rossi’s, then we’d both have the power to—”
I giggled. “You're blackmailing me.”
He blinked. “What? No. Bonnie, seriously. Our families are never going to work together to—”
My giggles turned to laughter. “Holy shit, you’re really blackmailing me right now.”
He shook his head. “You have to listen to me. Time is of the essence.”
“Ash!”
“Bonnie, just listen to me!”
I heard my bodyguard charge into the room. “Yes, Miss Moretti?”
My laughter stopped abruptly, and I glared at Gio. “Get this man the fuck out of my hotel suite.”
Ash nodded. “Of course, ma’am.”
Gio growled. “This offer isn’t going to stick around for long. Either sign the marriage contract and let me merge our families, or Israel is going to rot. And all because of you!”
I shook my head. “I guess old dogs really can’t learn new tricks, can they?”
“I can get someone else to take the fall for that man’s murder. We can merge our families and become the most powerful force in this damn city, Bonnie. Just listen to me!”
Ash gripped Gio’s arm. “Come with me.”
I watched Gio struggle against the woman as my head fell off to the side.
“Bonnie, have some sense. You have a chance to save the man you love! I heard you admit it. I heard him tell you. Do what’s right for him, for once! Show him you love him!”
I nodded. “I am, Gio. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Ash dragged the pathetic excuse for a man into the elevator while I listened to him curse and scream and rant. If that man thought I’d really marry him under some fake guise of saving Israel, he had another thing coming. I stared at him as he threw down with Ash. The second they got into the elevator, he tried to throw a punch. And I watched how quickly my bodyguard put him down. She grabbed his fist and turned, taking the man to his knees. Then, with a pop, her knee connected with his nose.
And blood flowed everywhere.
“Ah, shit! You stupid bitch!” Gio roared.
Ash look
ed over at me, and I smiled. “Just toss him to the curb. Then, alert the lobby that this man isn’t allowed back up here. Ever.”
My bodyguard nodded. “Anything else?”
Gio grunted. “I’ll throw you out of this suite. I still own this suite for another two weeks! I’ll have you thrown out onto the street!”
I blinked. “Make sure the front desk changes the reservation from Gio’s name to mine. I’ll pay whatever is necessary to make the change.”
Ash nodded. “Of course, ma’am.”
When the elevator doors finally closed on them, I turned back toward the windows. I walked over and gazed out upon Chicago, wondering where Israel was right now. Was he still in the back of that cop car? Was he currently being processed? Would he be intercepted by someone and taken somewhere else?
He’s in this mess because of me.
Had it not been for me, Israel would’ve never gone down this path. Had it not been for my lack of a backbone, he would’ve never found himself in such a disgusting point in his life. Had it not been for me and my unlucky presence, Israel might have gone on to live a perfectly wonderful life with someone else that didn't bring him such heartache and craziness.
He wouldn't have done any of these things if he didn’t want to.
I drew in a deep breath and let the thought calm my mind. It was true. I didn’t make Israel do anything. No one made Israel do anything. He did what he did because he wanted to, and nothing else. He was the commander of his life, and he answered to no one but himself. The past few months had taught me that. So, logically, my brain understood that to blame myself was nothing but a fruitless venture.
It didn’t stop me from trying, though.
I clasped my hands behind my back and stared out toward the horizon. And while I stood there, I thought about the past few months. When I had first laid eyes on Israel. How nervous I was when he had first laid eyes on me. How much I questioned the idea of killing him when we finally got back to his place on our wedding night. I remembered back to the bodyguards who broke in. The three that almost killed us. I thought about that interrogation room and how Israel figured out my first name. And how, despite everything that had been taught to him, he spared my life.
His Prize: An Arranged Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel King Book 3) Page 10