AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He’s not wrong.
Now that I’m no longer living with Salvatore, Idoneed to find a place.
“I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
Dad stands in the middle of the marble lobby of the Northam Plaza. His eyes light up at the sight of me and he presses a fatherly kiss on my brow like always.
“I hope you don’t mind. I’ve booked us a real estate agent to show us some properties in Centennial Village,” he says as we slide into the backseat of his town car. “It’s where many other well-off professionals reside. Nicely maintained area and safe, with the lowest crime rates in the city. The neighborhood of my old apartment has grown worse in recent years. I should’ve realized it wasn’t a good place for you. No wonder you’ve been staying with Brenda for months now.”
“Hmmm?” I’m only half listening.
He raises a brow. “Your apartment. My old apartment. You stopped staying there. You’ve been staying with Brenda.”
“Right. Yeah, it was nice of her to let me, but I’m ready for my own place.”
“Centennial is the way to go. Our agent, Barb, has a list of places she thinks you might like.”
Dad prattles on the entire car ride. I focus my attention on the window, staring out at the sunlit streets. As cold as temperatures were yesterday, the sun has decided to peek out and say hello for the first day of the year.
A new beginning.
For both the city and for me.
I’ve enrolled in therapy. I figure it’s time I find a healthier outlet for my trauma that doesn’t include murderous plots for revenge with my mafia boss ex-boyfriend.
If I’m going to be running for district attorney this year, I can’t afford any forays into the crime world. No association with anyone less than clean. No slip ups and no mistakes. Nothing but the mask of perfection.
As always.
Ihaveto make myself believe again. I have to rediscover faith in my position and the system I’ll be a part of. It still won’t be easy. Men like the one who assaulted me and others like the murderer who took Mom’s life are still free among the five million people in the city. But I have to try to make a change. I can leave my dark encounter behind me and work toward bettering myself and Northam.
We drive by Club Nirvana and I spot Salvatore’s sports bike parked along the curb. My mind jumps to the memories we made riding through the city streets. I’d felt so safe, yet so alive. Many of my happiest moments in life involve our time together. Both old and new. Teenage and adult. Past and present.
My hand touches my rose pendant thinking about them.
“You’ll feel like yourself again soon, Delphi,” Dad says sagely. Almostas if reading my thoughts. He comforts me with a squeeze of my shoulder. “Whatever you’ve been going through, you can move on from it. You’re on the verge of finally achieving your dream. You play your cards right, you’ll be DA by the end of the year. That’s what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it?”
“Yes...” I trail off.
“Don’t ever let anything—oranyone—hold you back from greatness. It’s what our family is destined for. We’ll be running this city in no time. Mayor and district attorney.”
I should feel motivated, inspired by Dad’s words. Instead I feel off. I sense something wrong with the direction I’m heading in. With the vision Dad has of the future. A premonition I can’t shake but will have to learn to forget. I glance one last time at Club Nirvana and Salvatore’s sports bike before forcing myself to look away.
It’s how things have to be.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Thank you for reading Wicked Roses! I would really appreciate it if you’d take a quick second to drop me a review on Amazon and Goodreads.
Turn the next few pages to learn more about the sequel, Twisted Roses! The darker, sexier, even more twisted continuation of where Salvatore and Delphine’s story is headed next. I can’t wait to share with you guys! <3
wicked roses playlist
Salvatore:
1. Clubbed to Death - Rob Dougan
2. Summer Overture - Clint Mansell
