Page 25 of Dark Desires (Chicago Bratva #1)

ALEXEI

“ A lexei.”

Lev’s voice cuts through my haze.

“You with us?”

Luk leans in, a grin on his lips. “You there, brother? Or is your mind still at the Mancini estate?”

The crackle of the fireplace fills the quiet in the den as I shift in the leather armchair where I’m seated, a tumbler of whiskey in hand.

Luk and Lev are seated in the other chairs, glasses of whiskey in their own hands, their eyes on the fire. Grigori is with us, leaning against the mantel. He scans the room, the man always in bodyguard mode.

Elena is there, too, in her usual position, lying back on the couch, her dark hair splayed over the pillow under her head, her laptop propped up on her legs.

I blink, dragging myself out of my thoughts, and smirk to cover the distraction.

“Just thinking matters over. Any choice we make has risks, it seems. No easy way out.”

Luk snorts, swirling the whiskey. “Risk is part of our lives. The Bratva wouldn’t ever have gotten to this point if we hadn’t taken risks, and we won’t survive if we don’t take risks.

Some risks, however, like making unexpected drop-ins at the Mancinis when we’re in the middle of sorting out a very fragile alliance, are less necessary than others. ”

My smirk drops, my jaw tightening, but I don’t respond. Luk, always the smart-ass, grins at my silence.

“Enough.” Elena doesn’t even look up from her screen. “We’ve got bigger problems than Alexei’s social calendar.”

“Like the fact that Christian de la Rosa is actively trying to undermine our alliance with the Mancinis,” Grigori says. “If Domenico cracks under pressure, we’ll be fighting a war on two fronts.”

“And losing,” Lev adds. “The Colombians have been rallying support from smaller families. We’ve got the Irish on our side, but that’s not enough. We need the Mancinis.”

The mention of the wedding hangs in the air, unspoken but heavy. I take a slow sip of my whiskey, staring into the fire. The thought of Isabella being tied to all of this, of her being caught in the crossfire, sets my teeth on edge.

“Have the Mancinis shown any signs of wavering?” Elena asks, finally looking up. Her sharp green eyes dart between us.

“Not yet,” Grigori replies. “But Christian’s visit to their estate wasn’t a social call. He’s pushing Domenico hard.”

“Domenico won’t back down,” I say. “He’s too proud. And he has a sense of honor—something you don’t see too often these days. But that doesn’t mean he won’t hesitate if it means protecting his family.”

Lev raises an eyebrow. “And you think that hesitation won’t cost us? Alexei is still the better option for Stephania to marry as opposed to Omar, under these particular circumstances. Our brother has the advantage,” Luk cuts in.

I don’t answer. I can’t. Because all I can think about is Isabella—her and the kiss we shared. My grip tightens around the glass, the memory fresh in my mind.

“Alexei,” Elena says, “you’re distracted again.”

“Not distracted,” I lie. “Just… considering all the angles.”

She narrows her eyes, but doesn’t push further. She’s sharp, and nothing gets by her. But she’s not a blabbermouth.

And not only that, but my sister also has a little experience of her own falling for someone she shouldn’t—her husband, Grigori, was her bodyguard before he became more than that.

Maybe there’s a certain aura that one who’s dancing with the forbidden puts out, one that others doing the same can relate to.

Still, the last thing I want is any of my family finding out about Isabella and me.Or confirming any suspicions they might have about Isabella and me.

My brothers continue to discuss strategy, but their words blur into background noise.

All I can think about is how much I want Isabella and our child.

The idea terrifies me.

For the first time in my life, I want something more than power or control.

I want them .

But what does that mean for the Bratva? For this alliance? For the war brewing on the horizon?

“Alexei,” Lev says, dragging me back. “Your thoughts?”

I lean forward, setting my glass down with care. “We need to keep Christian under a microscope. Every move he makes, every conversation he has—we track it. The Mancinis are our allies for now. But we can’t rely on their loyalty alone.”

Luk nods. “And the wedding?”

“It’ll happen. For now.”

“For now?” Elena echoes, her eyes narrowing again.

I don’t elaborate. I can’t.

I can’t ignore my duty, my loyalty to my family.

But I also can’t ignore the fierce, unrelenting pull toward Isabella—and the life growing inside her.

God help me.

The silence is shattered when all our phones buzz on the table. Luk is the first to grab his, his brows knitting together as he reads his message.

“Shit.”

“What?” I ask, reaching for mine.

“It’s Barnes,” he says. “He says the Feds raided a bunch of Colombian cartel offices... and Omar’s law firm. They took the kid into custody.”

Lev curses under his breath, grabbing his phone and reading the message on his own screen. “Bet you anything, they’re hiding him from his old man.”

I clench my jaw, reading Barnes’ words. Thought you’d all want to know. Feds snatched Omar. De la Rosa probably steaming right now.

Grigori leans forward. “That’s not going to go over well with Christian.”

Luk leans back with his arms crossed. “Christian’s not the kind of guy who waits to assess the damage. He’ll lash out, make a point. He’ll hit where it hurts most.”

“Which could be anywhere,” Lev adds. “Especially now. Hell, this might’ve just pushed him straight to war if he feels like his back is up against the wall.”

My phone buzzes again—another message from Detective Barnes. Don’t do anything stupid.

“Looks like our friend Barnes is earning his paycheck tonight.”

Lev raises an eyebrow. “Finally. Guess miracles do happen.”

“I’m going to see him.” I stand up, slipping my phone into my pocket.

“You think that’s smart?” Luk asks. “Showing up at the station right now might put more heat on us.”

“It’s already hot,” I say. “Might as well see how high the flames are.”

Grigori nods. “Go. We need to know what’s going on, and if Patterson’s involved, she’s going to keep playing her cards close to the vest.”

“She’ll try,” I reply. “But she’s not as good at bluffing as she thinks.”

I grab my coat and head out. If Patterson’s playing hardball with Christian, she might’ve just pushed him over the edge.

The De la Rosas won’t take this lying down, and Omar’s abduction could be the tipping point.

I march into the station, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. The place is a hive as usual, officers rushing around, phones ringing off the hook.

I don’t bother with pleasantries, heading straight for Barnes’ office. The front desk knows better than to stop me.

The door is half-open, and I see Patterson. She’s leaning against Barnes’ desk, arms crossed, her usual gruff demeanor firmly in place. Barnes looks like he’d rather be anywhere else.

I knock on the door and enter before hearing a reply. As I step into the room, a smirk forms on Patterson’s lips as if she’d been expecting me.

“Plushenko. What a surprise.”

Her tone is flat, and it’s obvious it’s actually not a surprise at all.

I ignore her and turn my attention to Barnes. “Did she put you up to this? Loop us in?”

He opens his mouth to speak, but a hard glance from Patterson silences him.

“Let’s just say this,” she says. “Barnes is going to be playing ball. His career, and hell, his freedom, depends on it.”

Barnes shrugs.

I’m pissed. But at the same time, what else could he do? It’s all fun and games, and an easy paycheck until the Feds are breathing down your neck.

Finally, Barnes speaks up. “I’ll give you two a minute.” With that, he makes a quick exit, shutting the door behind him.

Once he’s gone, Patterson doesn’t waste time.

“If you’re here to ask about Omar, save your breath. He’s in federal custody, and that’s all you need to know.”

I scoff, leaning against the doorframe. “Federal custody. How convenient. And here I thought you were all about collaboration.”

“The law comes first.”

I fold my arms. “This little stunt of yours just made everything worse. Christian’s not going to take this lightly, and you know it.”

Patterson shrugs, unfazed. “Let him react. We’re ready.”

“You’re playing with fire,” I warn. “And you just put a lot of people in the line of it—including civilians. If he goes scorched-earth on this city, there’s going to be a hell of a lot of innocent blood spilled.”

Her jaw tightens, but she doesn’t back down. “Sometimes, fire is necessary. If you’re looking for sympathy, you won’t find it here. My job is to bring De la Rosa to justice. And I’m going to do it—by any means necessary.”

I take a step closer, lowering my voice. “This isn’t going to help your overtures of cooperation.”

“Cooperation doesn’t mean letting you call the shots,” she snaps. “You’re not in charge here, Plushenko. The FBI is. And it’s my job to prevent the De la Rosa cartel from getting a foothold in this city. Believe it or not, we’re on the same side.”

I laugh. “I’m sure. Until you decide we’re next on the chopping block.”

Another shrug. “You’re surprised? You’re a criminal, Alexei. Only a matter of time before you end up behind bars.”

I place my hand on my chest, feigning being scandalized.

“Me? Agent Patterson, we’ve been over this. I’m but a humble financial planner. Crime is the last thing on my mind.”

“The routine that never gets old,” she says. “Anyway, the only reason the heat’s not coming down on you and your operation is because the De la Rosas are a bigger threat. For right now, at least. But don’t worry—you’ll have our attention again before too long.”

I grit my teeth, the urge to tell her exactly where she can shove her authority bubbling just beneath the surface.

But I hold it back, knowing it won’t get me anywhere.

Instead, I straighten. “Good luck, Agent Patterson. You’re going to need it.”

With that, I turn and leave. My anger simmers as I head back to my car, my mind racing.

If Christian lashes out, if he sees this as a provocation, the fallout will be catastrophic. And now, with Isabella and the baby in the picture, the stakes have never been higher.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I grip the wheel tightly, my knuckles white.

I need to be prepared for anything.