Chapter 22 #2
There was always something with this family. It was as if we never got a break. We? Hmm… for better or worse, I am part of the Accetti family.
Despite all the disruptions, I wanted to be one of them. I belonged to Milo and I would manage anything that came my way. No matter the consequences.
“Hello, Sable,” Camila greeted me when I stepped out of the elevator and into the posh sitting area of the boutique. “I wasn’t sure you were coming.”
“Why wouldn't I?” I dug my phone out of my bag and shot Ax a quick text that I was safe and in the boutique. “I have an appointment, don’t I?”
“Milo doesn’t seem to let you out of his sight these days.” She came around the counter to join me. “Can I get you some prosecco?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” I took off my coat and looked around for one of the assistants who usually took care of asking if I wanted a drink or needed anything. “Where is everyone?”
“You’re stuck with me today.” She grinned as she took my coat and draped it over a chair. “I have some exciting things to show you.”
“Lissia isn’t here?” I asked.
“Not yet.” Camila shook her head. “She’s kind of inconsiderate when it comes to keeping appointments.”
“She’s probably stuck in traffic.” I followed her toward the dressing room. “The weather isn't that great.”
“Well, that just means you get to see all the new arrivals first.”
She motioned for me to come into the room, but when I did a strong aroma of men’s cologne hit my sensitive sense of smell. I inhaled, feeling a bit out of sorts as she closed the door.
Out of the corner of my eye, I detected movement, and when I turned my head my anxiety morphed into terror.
“You know my friend, Diego, don’t you?” Camila placed her hand on my shoulder, sounding the alarm bells.
“Hello, Sable,” Diego said as he came toward me. “I wanted an opportunity to speak with you away from all the guards, and of course, your very overbearing boyfriend. He has quite the temper.”
“You can say that again,” Bello said from behind me.
I spun to face him, not exactly sure where he appeared from. When he kissed Camila, I realized I was in the middle of a set-up. My own guard couldn’t protect me, because one, he was occupied with the police, and two, I had texted him and told him I was safe.
“You betrayed Milo.” You are a skank. “Why would you do that after everything he has done for you?”
“I didn’t betray Milo,” Camila said. “My boyfriend asked me to help him and I did.” She took Bello’s hand. “Just like you would do anything to help Milo.”
“Camila.” I looked between Diego and Bello. “These men are not Milo. They don’t care about you. They used you to get me here.”
“What?” She laughed. “You’re the only one allowed to find a strong and powerful man?”
“These strong and powerful men traffic women.” I backed away from Diego when I deemed him too close to me. “Your boyfriend assaulted me in an alleyway. I had bruises on my face for a week.”
“We’re not here to discuss what you think of me and my associate,” Diego said. “We’re here to send another message to your boyfriend.”
“If either of you touch me again.” I pointed at Diego. “I’ll kill you myself.”
“You have to defend yourself.” Bello smirked. “Your boyfriend won’t.”
“I’m sure Milo was just taking orders from his daddy.” Camila ran her hand along Bello’s bicep. “We all know Milo doesn’t have the power.”
What a traitorous bitch! When I told Milo how she was working with Medina, he was going to kill her. Unless… What if the message is to kill me?
“Whatever you have to say to Milo, you can tell him yourself.” I tried to get to the door, but Bello stood in front of it. “Get out of my way! My guard will be here any minute.”
“The guard that’s preoccupied with the police?” Diego grabbed my arm and tugged me further into the room. “You’d be surprised how easy it is to get a warrant in this city.”
“You did that?”
“Leave us.” He nodded at Camila and Bello. “I’d like a word with the lovely Sable.”
“No.” I tried to scuffle out of his grasp, but that only fueled him to hold me tighter. During this encounter, Camila and Bello exited the room, leaving me to fend for myself. “You need to let me leave.”
“Or what?” He let go of me and forced me into a chair. “No one is coming to help you.”
“What do you want?”
“What I’ve wanted all along, but the Accettis are not making this easy for me.” He knelt down in front of me. “All Nico had to do was let me move my merchandise through New York. He works with other cartels, so why not me?”
“Maybe because your merchandise is human beings.” What the hell is wrong with him? “Nico will never let you get away with that.”
“I’m already getting away with it, or at least I was until he scared the other men I had convinced to work with me.” He grabbed my wrist. “That’s why I need you.”
“I can’t help you.” When I hauled back my arm, he came closer and twisted my wrist until I couldn’t feel my hand. “Stop it!” I shouted.
“Settle down, little one.” He grinned. “If you behave, I might keep you for myself.”
“What?” He didn’t mean…
“You heard me.” He ran his fingers along my bracelet. “This is Milo’s fault. All he had to do was convince his father to play nice and I would have dropped you from my radar.”
“I can’t help you.”
“Sure you can.” He yanked the bracelet from my wrist. “You’re more useful than you think.”
“Hey.” I tried to snatch it from him, but he closed it in his hand. “Give it back.”
“My business is trafficking.” He opened his palm and looked down at the only connection I had to Milo right now. “Don’t you think I know a tracker when I see one?”