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“Fuck me.” I glanced down at the screen and noticed a bunch of text messages and missed calls from Tommy, my second-in-command.
Did she leave me? Did the Irish get to her? Or was she taken? For all I knew, she could be halfway to Chicago by now. A myriad of scenarios where she ended up dead flashed in my mind.
I let my guard down for one night and now she was in trouble. I couldn’t lose her.
Not like this.
Chapter3
All I Want for Christmas Is You
Luce
December 24th
The bright lights and the Christmas music of the posh department store put me in a better mood as soon as I stepped foot inside. I beamed at the different clusters of Christmas trees heavy with intricate ornaments and fancy ribbons.
When I left the penthouse earlier today, I’d been in a gloomy state of mind—courtesy of Santino, Ebenezer Scrooge. Last night, I had waited for him, but he never came to our suite. Waking up alone in his bed hurt. I didn’t like that we were fighting. But then I found him in the guest room, passed out and reeking of booze.
And that pissed me off all over again. While I stayed home fuming over his words to his bodyguard to make sure I didn’t leave the house, he was probably at some bar, getting drunk and having fun with someone other than me. In a huff and without giving it a second thought, I headed straight for the door, made it all the way to the lobby downstairs, and hopped in a cab.
No idea how I had managed to leave unnoticed. Maybe now that Santino and I were married, his bodyguards weren’t so concerned with me leaving the building. Either way, I was here now, and my mood had greatly improved.
“Are you shopping for anything in particular? I can help you.” The salesperson at Saks Fifth Avenue smiled at me politely.
“Um, no, I’m just browsing,” I replied automatically.
The woman looked down at my pair of jeans and sweatshirt and nodded once before she let me be. Right, my choice of clothing didn’t exactly scream that I was here to spend a lot of money, or that I had any money to spend. In truth, I had opted to wear my old clothes, just to stick it to Santino. I was feeling petty this morning, as well as angry and lonely. At least I had thought to bring the credit card Santino’s accountant had given me.
I picked up a pair of black leather shoes. They were so soft and elegant. I’d seen Santino wear a pair like these. Shooting a glance over my shoulder, I turned the shoe over to check the price. Just below the Prada emblem etched on the sole, the price stood out—sixteen hundred dollars.
Another reminder of how Santino and I were worlds apart. On the ride here, I had considered buying him a Christmas gift to get him in the holiday spirit. But now that I was here, I was clueless.
What do I get for the man who already has everything? Prada shoes included.
The saleslady returned with that over-the-top proper tone. “Are you sure you don’t need assistance, dear?”
“I’m still good. Thanks.” I pursed my lips when I met her gaze.
“Of course. Let me know if you need anything, Mrs. Buratti.”
Wait, what?
“I’m sorry.” I furrowed my brows.
How the hell did she know my name?
“Let me know how I can help. I’m here for anything you need.” Her demeanor had gone from fake polite to eager.
I looked over my shoulder again, then slowly scanned the whole floor. Sure enough, I spotted one of Santino’s guys by the entrance. And then another one by the perfume counter, the handbag wall, and pretty much every corner I could see. I counted at least ten men. Of course, they had found me. And they made sure the saleslady knew who I was.
What did that mean? That they were willing to let me stay and shop? I smiled at my hands. Santino knew exactly where I was, and he was letting me be. Yeah, we had a pretty fucked-up relationship if this small gesture made me feel grateful. He had to move past this idea that he was my jailer. I was his wife now.
I glanced down at the ugly Christmas sweater I had grabbed on my way in. Yeah, I was clueless.
“Actually, I was hoping to find something for my husband. Any recommendations?” I figured I’d take her up on her offer since she was already here, and she looked like she knew what she was doing.
“Of course.” She tapped her lips with her index finger as she scanned the store. “Is it your first Christmas together?”
