Page 27 of Desperate Decisions

AMARA

“Do I actually have to go?” I asked.

“If she sees us coming to heel, she’s probably less likely to try to kill you.”

I pursed my lips. “But not less likely to hurt me.”

“I know it can seem counterintuitive to move closer to her right now, but unless you want to leave the country entirely, that’s our only option. Marco and Enzo are already on their way.”

I shoved more clothing into my bag, reluctant to pack too much. We had decided to keep the apartment just in case, but it was sounding more and more likely that I wouldn’t ever be spending another night here. I wasn’t particularly sentimental about the place, but I was a bit sad to leave something I had gotten on my own.

I was a pile of nerves when the buzzer went off.

“Stick close to me,” Elio ordered.

“Like I’d go anywhere without you.”

I had practically drenched myself in de-scenting spray, almost paranoid my pregnancy scent would come in early, and horrified at the prospect that Bianca would discover it and simply kill us both.

Marco offered me a nod of acknowledgment, and the other alpha with him perused me at his leisure before extending his hand. “Enzo Bonetti.”

I didn’t offer my hand in return, staying tucked half behind Elio.

“Let’s go,” Enzo ordered.

The drive was way too short. I’d been so close to the wolf’s den this entire time. Nausea threatened to overwhelm me when we passed through the gate and it closed behind us. Elio carried both of my duffel bags and I wheeled my suitcase behind us. Enzo went one way, and Marco came with us, following us to Elio’s suite, knocking sharply on another door on our way.

A few moments later Gianna was at our door. Marco disappeared the second his omega was with us.

The perky blonde wrapped me in a hug. “She’ll forget about you in no time,” Gianna assured us. “Bianca has a lot on her plate so I was only exciting for a few days. I can’t imagine it will be different for you. Enzo is in the war room with Bianca. Marco’s gone there to meet them. Santo is off on some mission or other.”

Elio nodded. “I’ll head there first. Amara, stay with Gianna until they call you for supper.”

He gave me a look filled with longing that stalled the breath in my throat. I wished I could tell him to stay, but I didn’t want to give Bianca any reason to hurt him again.

When Gianna and I were alone, she set about helping me unpack, insisting I rest. “Do you have any questions now that you’re here?”

“Yeah, am I ever going to be allowed to leave again?”

Gianna shrugged. “We’re not specifically under house arrest, but I’m sure Elio won’t want you out unsupervised.”

“Great.” I flopped back onto the bed. “Fuck, this blanket is terrible. How do you nest with shit like this?”

Gianna laughed. “Order whatever you like. I had to get a whole new wardrobe and everything for a nest when I came here. I can’t imagine that Elio would want you to go without, so might as well start shopping while I unpack.”

I rolled over to look at her, curling onto my side as I watched her. “Are you happy here?”

“As happy as I have been anywhere. Marco and I had a rough start, but we get a little smoother every day. I wouldn’t want to leave without him.”

“It’s so fucked up that Bianca could just order him to bond you.”

“That’s pretty low on the list of fucked-up things she’s done. I love Marco now, and I know he’ll do what he can to keep me safe.”

Elio would too; I believed that much. By the time Gianna had unpacked all my clothes, we were being summoned. I didn’t bother changing out of my jeans and T-shirt. Gianna had advised keeping myself looking as plain as possible.

Not that it mattered.

Gianna led me through unfamiliar corridors that looked so similar I was pretty sure it would take me ages to learn the layout. She gave me an extra second to breathe before we stepped into the dining room together.

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