THE MAFIA’S ORPHAN WIFE

MY CHOICE

"Run where?" I asked. "There’s nowhere to go!"

"Trust me," Adrian said, grabbing my hand.

We ran. Down the deck. Past guards.

Gunshots behind us. Into the air.

Victor was yelling. "Stop them!"

Adrian shoved me behind a lifeboat. "Stay here."

"No," I said. "I’m not leaving you."

The sirens were so loud now. Lights flashing on the water.

Coast guard.

Victor appeared. Gun in hand. "Adrian Moretti. You’re under arrest for trafficking."

"Liar," Adrian spat.

"Maybe," Victor said. "But I have proof. In your cabin."

He looked at me. "Last chance, girl. Come with me. Testify against him. Or go down with him."

For one second I hesitated.

Freedom. No more running.

Then I stepped out from behind the lifeboat.

"I’m his wife," I said, voice shaking but clear. "And I know he’s innocent."

Victor’s face went red. "You stupid—"

"Hands up!" The coast guard boarded. Guns drawn.

Everything was chaos. Shouting. Flashlights.

Adrian pulled me to him. "Why did you do that?"

"Because," I whispered. "I’m tired of being scared."

The police cuffed Victor, not Adrian.

They found nothing in Adrian’s cabin.

Because Adrian’s men had cleared it an hour ago.

On the ride back to shore, Adrian didn’t let go of my hand.

"You could have taken Victor’s deal," he said quietly. "500K. Safety."

"I know," I said.

"Why didn’t you?"

I looked at him. At the man who sat on my floor at 3am. Who broke Rule 1. Who kissed me on a balcony.

"Because you’re my husband," I said. "Even if it started fake."

Adrian stared at me. Then he lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles.

"The wrong decision," he murmured.

"The best one," I whispered back.