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It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Dad this carefree and happy. It makes me wonder if he’s thinking about retirement, or maybe he’s met a woman.
Either way, my plan is a go. All I have to do is wait for the supplies to arrive, then all hell will rain down on Giuseppe Rossi and anyone that stands in our way.
Chapter Seventeen
ALEXANDRA
I’ve staredat those two duffle bags for far too long. They sit by the door mocking me, as if they know I’m not going to do anything with them.
I’ve thought about throwing the bags in Joseph’s face and telling him I don’t want his bribe before setting them on fire. The look on his face might be worth losing out on half a million dollars.
The thought of leaking my pregnancy to the press and letting them know that Joseph Marino is a deadbeat, good-for-nothing dad also crossed my mind, but I don’t want to draw attention to myself. I’m already showing more than I ever thought I would be this early in my pregnancy.
I’ve also thought about taking the money and moving far away where Giuseppe and his men won’t find me. Maybe an island in the Caribbean or a Greek Isle where the views go on for days.
That has to be better than what I’m planning on doing with it. I’m going to give the money to Giuseppe Rossi to pay for my father’s debt.
Half of a million dollars should be more than enough to cover his debt and let me move on with my life.
Will I move, or will I try to stick around here and find another job? Could I work in the same town as Joseph and pretend nothing ever happened?
I throw on a pair of leggings and an oversized shirt and grab my phone, wallet, and keys. With the two duffle bags in hand, I make my way downstairs to my car. I toss the bags into the backseat and drive straight to the Rossi estate.
Traffic is minimal since it’s the middle of the day during a work week.
When I pull up to the gate, I click the button and announce myself. The gate buzzes for a couple of seconds before opening.
No matter how many times I’ve met up with Giuseppe Rossi, I’m always nervous.
Will he accept the money in exchange for my father’s freedom?
What will he think when I tell him I’ve been fired and banned from being around Arturo and Joseph?
Will he let dad and me walk away or will we always be on his radar?
I park in front of his house and carry the bags to the front door. The double doors open as soon as I step in front of them.
Two security officers immediately yank the bags out of my grasp and dump the contents on the floor in front of me.
“What the hell, guys? It’s not a weapon. It’s just cash for Mr. Rossi.”
The security guys inspect the bundles of money before throwing them back inside the duffle bags. Each man picks up a full bag of money.
“Come with us.” The taller man, Vincent, instructs.
He’s Giuseppe Rossi’s right hand man. Why is he standing guard at the front door? Did he see who was at the gate and came to meet me?
I follow the men down the hallway toward the room I was in last time. This time, I am led to a room with a giant metal table and chairs all around it.
Is this an interrogation room or a meeting room?
“Empty your pockets, and put all of your stuff on the table.” He barks out.
I do as I say, afraid of the consequences if I rebel.
He gathers up all of my stuff and shoves it in a small black bag before tossing the bag onto the duffle bags full of money.
What the hell is that about? Are they worried I will call Arturo or Joseph? I probably should have let someone know where I was going, even if it was just a note on my coffee table.