Hard Choices
      Chapter 15
 

Michelle twirled her wedding ring around her finger nervously. She still felt uncomfortable in the Santos house, even though she and Carmen had made a tentative peace for Danny’s sake – and Carmen was still behind bars. Some of the very best, and very worst, moments of her live had been lived in this house, but that all seemed like a lifetime ago; it was unsettling for her to be there, especially under these circumstances. The plan Carmen had laid out for her, which she had set into motion this morning, was risky, and Michelle was terrified. There was nothing she wouldn't do, however, to get Danny back.

She sat down behind Carmen’s desk and drummed her fingers on the desktop blotter. She glanced at her watch; Bernardo was late, probably on purpose. Everything was about power and control with those people. Michelle chuckled at herself for still thinking of the mob as “those people” … because she was one of them now. She loved, desperately and with every fiber of her being, one of the crown princes of organized crime in Springfield; she was carrying the Santos family heir in her womb; she had willingly invited Carmen Santos back into her life; and, as of this morning, she now sat at the head of the Santos family business.

“Something funny, Mrs. Santos?” Bernardo sauntered into the room.

Michelle controlled her impulse to fear this man, who might very well hold her husband’s life in his hands. Remaining seated, she gestured to the chair opposite the desk. “Please, call me Michelle. Have a seat. Can I offer you some coffee? Tea?”

Bernardo took a seat and waved a hand impatiently. “I don’t have time for a social visit. You’re either very brave or very stupid, Michelle, calling me here.”

“Actually, Bernardo,” Michelle said pointedly, “I’m neither. I’m practical. You and I have business to discuss.”

Bernardo let out a booming laugh. “Oh, do we? And I thought you’d invited me here to thank me for getting you out of prison,” he smirked.

“The deal you made with my husband for my freedom does figure into my proposal.” Bernardo looked at her impassively. She cleared her throat and continued. “But I think I should begin this discussion by letting you know that my mother-in-law and I have resolved our differences, and because she’s currently … unavailable … and my husband is missing," she said as she arched her brow, "I am now in control of all of the operations of the Santos family.”

“What operations? Danny turned everything over to me.”

Michelle smiled sweetly. “Not everything. Danny was acting in good faith when he turned those business ledgers over to you, but he’d been out of the loop for months at the time of your deal. Because of her estrangement from Danny, Carmen had taken certain precautions. You may control the local trade, but most of the international interests of the Santos family are still intact. My mother-in-law is a very talented, and creative, business woman, wouldn’t you agree?”

Bernardo was clearly fuming. “I think you’re just blowing smoke … but if this is true, your husband has a lot to answer for, wherever he is.”

“I’m not blowing smoke. I have Carmen Santos’ power of attorney and access to all of her records. I’ll be happy to show you some proof if you’re willing to come to terms … but here’s what it comes down to: I believe you know exactly where my husband is, and I want him back. You, I would assume, want the rest of the Santos holdings. I’m simply proposing an exchange.”

Bernardo glared at her. “You’re forgetting one thing … Danny is still obligated to marry my daughter.”

Michelle glared right back at him, and allowed her anger to show in her voice. “I’m going to very strongly suggest that we nullify that particular part of the original deal. I can appreciate that you love your daughter, and you want to make her happy, but I think we both know that she’ll never be happy with a man who doesn’t love her … a man who is expecting a child with the woman he does love.” Michelle stood up and placed a protective hand on her belly, which was just beginning to bulge perceptibly; she leaned over the desk towards Bernardo. “Your daughter deserves better, and my child deserves his father. So let’s take all of the personal feelings and vendettas out of it, and keep this strictly business. My offer is the balance of the Santos power base, and fortune, in exchange for Danny’s life and his release from any ‘obligation’ to your daughter. Are you interested?”

“What makes you think I won’t just kill you, and your deceitful husband?”

Michelle shuddered inwardly, but remained composed. “If you kill either of us, you’ll never control all of the Santos business. Carmen won’t be in prison forever, and she’s protected her interests very thoroughly – you’d never be able to access them without my help. And the Santoses do still have allies out there, Bernardo. Wiping out two generations of this family could have dangerous repercussions for you.” Good God, thought Michelle, I sound just like Carmen. What have I become? This is not really me, she reminded herself, I'm just doing what I have to do for Danny, all for Danny and our baby.

After a very long pause, Bernardo finally spoke. “You’re right about one thing -- my daughter does deserve better than to spend her life begging a weak traitor like Danny Santos to love her,” he spit. “As far as I’m concerned, you can have him. Let’s talk details.”