Page 31 of Dark Desires (Chicago Bratva #1)

ALEXEI

“ T his is fucking huge.”

Lev’s words hang in the air.

The Ivanov mansion is a fortress preparing for war. But right now, the leaders of the Ivanov Bratva are reeling from the bomb I’ve just dropped. We’re gathered in the strategy room—a dim, wood-paneled space that smells of cigars and whiskey.

Lev leans forward in his chair.

“She’s pregnant ?’

Everyone’s eyes are on me. I can’t tell if they’re pissed or what.

“She’s pregnant. I didn’t want it to come out like this.”

Elena laughs. “How did you want it to come out? Some balloons with a note attached that says ‘Hey, I knocked up the cousin of the woman I’m supposed to marry’?”

“I don’t know,” I say, a little frustrated with myself. “None of this was planned.”

“I’ll say,” Lev adds.

“But it’s happened. I’ve fallen hard for Isa, and she’s carrying my child. And now she’s gone.”

Silence hangs in the air. My family regards one another as if hoping one of them will come up with the perfect plan to solve this dilemma.

“Domenico wants answers,” Grigori says. “He knows that his daughter’s been kidnapped, but he doesn’t know the circumstances. If he were to find out that she was taken from your place, Alexei, he’d put it together pretty goddamn quickly.”

I run my hand through my hair. “I know this is bad. I know I screwed the family.”

“That’s putting it lightly,” Luk says. “But I think we can figure this one out.”

“How’s that?” Yuri asks.

Luk leans forward. “The whole point of this marriage was to join with the Mancinis against the cartel. Well, by taking Domenico’s daughter, who’s carrying Alexei’s child…”

Elena’s eyes light up. “The war’s already started, and the battle lines are drawn.”

Luk nods. “Correct.”

“It’s not that simple,” Lev says. “If Domenico’s mad about this, it might make him come to an arrangement with De la Rosa against us.”

It’s my turn to speak up. “Then we need to get her back from De la Rosa, no matter the cost.”

Silence falls as my family regards one another once more.

I continue. “We have to go on the offensive. If he took Isabella instead of killing her, that means he’s planning on using her. We have to attack before he can move any more pieces on the board.”

Yuri sits back. “I’m still confused how you’re not dead, Alexei. Seems like taking you out would’ve solved a lot of problems for Christian.”

“They got sloppy,” I say. “They took me down, but didn’t finish the job. Guess they got cocky and thought that two solid blows to the head would be enough. Me living wasn’t part of the plan, and I’m going to make them pay for their screwup.”

Luk clears his throat.

“Granted, I’ll need a CT scan after this is all over,” I add with a grumble.

“They must’ve knocked a couple of screws loose,” Elena chuckles dryly.

“You sure about this?” he asks. “We’d be going to war, risking everything for this attack. The whole family would be at risk.”

I meet his gaze. “She’s carrying my child, Lev. That makes her family.”

Grigori sighs, glancing over at Elena. “I’d scold you for this, Alexei, but Elena and I know a thing or two about forbidden romance.”

Elena winks at her husband. “Not to mention Lev and Luk, here.”

My brothers say nothing, knowing they’re dead to rights on this matter.

Lev shakes his head. “So, we need a plan. Christian’s got Isabella, and it’s only a matter of time before Domenico learns the truth. We need to get ahead of that before he decides that what you’ve done is the ultimate betrayal.”

I nod. “I’ll be the one to handle that. I’ll get to the Mancini mansion, tell him what happened. If he wants to kill me on the spot, then so be it. But if we’re going to get on his good side, it needs to start with the truth.”

“Good call,” Luk says. “Assuming that goes well with Domenico, and that’s a big if , we’ll need to figure out how we’re not only going to take out De la Rosa but also get Isa back safe and sound.”

I lean back in my chair. “I have a plan for that, too.”

Yuri raises an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“It’s so,” I say. “But for that, we need his son.”

The government office is sterile, the fluorescent lights casting a cold glow over everything. Agent Patterson is waiting for me in the lobby, her arms crossed and her expression as pleasant as a shark’s.

“You’re late.”

“Traffic,” I reply smoothly, brushing past her.

She doesn’t rise to the bait, but I catch the slight tightening of her jaw. Good. I like her off-balance.

We step into the conference room, and she closes the door behind us. “You wanted to talk. Make it quick.”

“I need to see Omar.”

Her eyes narrow. “Why?”

“Because he’s the key to stopping Christian.”

She lets out a humorless laugh. “And you think I’m just going to hand him over to you?”

“No,” I say, sitting back in the chair and giving her a slow smile. “But I think you’ll listen when I tell you that this benefits you, too. You want Christian, right? Well, Omar is the best way to get to him.”

“Explain.”

“This whole thing, the war, the kidnapping, it’s about Christian bringing his son back into the fold.

If I marry Stephania, Domenico’s niece, then Omar has no reason to work with his father again.

But if Christian has the leverage of Isabella, we can dangle Omar in front of his face, entice him to give her back. ”

She shifts her weight from one foot to the other. “So, you want to talk to Omar, see if you can’t get him on your side first.”

“That’s right. And think about how much easier this makes things for you.

We get Omar to turn on his father, give us hard info to go after the cartel.

We can even get Christian in the process.

Then you get the impressive claim of taking down a cartel without the entire criminal underbelly of the city falling into a bloody war. ”

She studies me for a long moment, weighing her options. Finally, she sighs.“Fine. But you get five minutes. And if you so much as breathe wrong, I’ll have you hauled out of here in cuffs.”

“Deal. But one thing.”

“What’s that?” she asks.

“I want a room that’s not surveilled. No cameras, no other officers listening in. Totally off the record.”

She laughs. “Not a chance.”

“Then good luck solving the cartel war on your own.”

That gets her. She sighs, shaking her head. “Not alone. You can meet with Omar away from other prying eyes, but I’m going to be there.”

“Fine,” I say with a grin. “Lead the way.”

She makes a quick call on her phone, telling the person on the other end to bring Omar to one of the maintenance rooms. That done, we head down the hallway.

“Is it possible that we could get some coffee?” I ask. “I haven’t been sleeping since they took Isabella.”

She laughs disbelievingly. “Coffee? Whatever, fine—there’s a machine on the way there.”

“That’ll do just fine.”

We make our way down the hall, stopping at the coffeemaker. I pour myself a cup, then glance over my shoulder.

“Something for you, Agent Patterson?”

“You know what? Sure. Black.”

“Your wish is my command.”

I prepare her cup, making sure my back is to her. I reach up my jacket sleeve and take out a small vial and dump the contents into her cup.

Done.

With that, I turn around, drinks in hand.

“Your black coffee, Agent Patterson.”

She takes the cup, allowing herself a long sip. “Let’s go. No more pit stops.”

The room is small and bleak, the kind of place designed to make a person feel insignificant and monitored. Omar is sitting at the table, looking more annoyed than intimidated. When he sees me, his eyes narrow.

“What the hell do you want?” he asks.

“To make you a deal,” I say, taking the seat across from him. Patterson sits in the corner, arms crossed, her gaze boring into me. She sips her coffee once, then twice.

Perfect.

I lean forward, my voice low. “Your father has Isabella. And if you don’t help me, he’s going to use her to start a war.”

Omar’s expression falters, but he quickly recovers. “Why should I care? I’m not involved in his business.”

“Maybe not. But you care about Stephania, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do. I’d do anything for her.”

I check my watch. It’s been a minute or so since Agent Patterson had her coffee. I glance over my shoulder at her and watch her blink hard, then yawn.

“Give it another fifteen seconds or so,” I say. “Then we can talk.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

I say nothing, glancing at my watch, then back at Agent Patterson. She sets down her coffee, her eyes slowly shutting.

Her head drops to the table, and she’s out cold.

Omar leans over, looking at her.

“What the hell happened?”

“She’s taking a little rest,” I say. “Agent Patterson is a hard worker, but she works a little too hard at times.”

He turns his gaze back to me, now looking concerned. “What’s going on? Why aren’t we in a normal interrogation room?”

“Because,” I say, “if you want to help, you’re going to come with me. Now.”

“What?”

“There are no cameras here. The charges you’re being held on are bullshit, but our people can handle them, nonetheless.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you want to help save the cousin of the woman you love, you have to get out of here. Go out into the hallway, head down to the back exit. My sister made sure that it’s unlocked, and that the cameras are off.

In the alley, there will be a car waiting for you. It’s going to take you to the airport.”

“The airport?”

“That’s right. You’re going to leave the city. If you want to help, you need to be someplace where your father can’t get to you.”

His eyes flash. “No. No! I’m not leaving while Stephania’s here. Not a chance.”

“Omar, can you shoot a gun?”

“N… No.”

“How about this—can you look into your father’s eyes and tell him no ?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“There we have it. Your father’s coming for you, Omar. The best way you can fight him is by being somewhere that he can’t find you.”

“But Stephania…”

I cut him off. “After I leave here, I’m going to the Mancinis to talk to her and Domenico. She will join you soon.”

“She will?”

“She will. But first, you have to trust me.”

There’s a long pause.

“I… I’ll do it. But promise me you’re not lying.”

“Promise. I’ll make sure Christian never touches you or Stephania again. But you need to step up. Fight for her. Prove you’re more than just your father’s shadow. Now go—my sister can only stay in the security system for so long.”

He hesitates, but I can see the gears turning in his head. Finally, he nods. “OK. OK.”

“Good. Now, leave. You’ve got a plane to catch.”

Omar opens his mouth, as if he has one more thing to say, one more question to ask. However, whatever it is, he keeps it to himself.

He springs out of the seat, hurrying out of the room. I glance at Agent Patterson. She’s peaceful when she sleeps—a strange look for her. I pick up her coffee from the ground and dump it into the trash.

“Get some rest, Agent Patterson. I’ll be in touch.”

Out in the lobby, Luk is waiting, leaning against the wall. He straightens when he sees me.

“Well?” he asks.

“It’s done,” I say. “Omar will play his part. Now, we focus on the Mancinis.”

Luk nods, falling into step beside me as we head toward the exit. “What’s next?”

“First, we return to the mansion and prepare our people for war. Then, I speak to the Mancinis. Christian made his move, and now it’s our turn. We’re going to remind him why no one fucks with the Ivanovs.”

Luk smirks. “About time.”

My lieutenants stand in a tight semicircle, along with my brothers. They’re ready for whatever I’m about to throw their way.

I step forward, running a hand through my hair.

“You all know why we’re here.”

Lev leans against the wall, arms crossed. “Isabella,” he says.

I nod. “Isabella. And my child.”

There’s a ripple of surprise through the room, but no one says a word. These men are loyal to the bone.They’ve been with me through hell and back, and I trust them to follow me without hesitation.

“Christian de la Rosa is holding her. He thinks this will break me, that we’ll give him whatever he wants to keep her safe.”

Grigori speaks up. “So, we kill him.”

Luk shakes his head. “It’s not that simple.”

I glance back at them. “We don’t act rashly. Not yet. Christian has Isabella and our leverage is limited. We need to be smart, deliberate.”

Lev steps forward. “Whatever you need, Alexei. You know we’ve got you.”

“Family before everything,” Grigori says.

“Family before everything,” I repeat.

Yuri speaks up. “What’s the play?”

I let the silence hang for a moment. “The details aren’t important yet. What you need to know is that I’m going to get Isabella out. And I’m going to make sure our family comes out stronger on the other side.”

Lev nods. “You’re not doing this alone.”

“No,” I agree. “I’m not. But the risks are mine to bear. You all know what this means.”

Luk claps a hand on my shoulder. “We’ve faced worse, Alexei. This is nothing.”

“This won’t be easy,” I say. “If we fail, and Christian manages to execute his plan…”I trail off.

“Not going to happen,” Lev says. “When we work together, there’s nothing the Ivanovs can’t accomplish.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“We’ll get her back,” Yuri says. “And then we’ll make Christian regret ever touching her.”

I nod. “We move soon. Be ready.”

They file out one by one, leaving me alone with my thoughts.For the first time in a long while, I feel something close to hope.

Because no matter what comes next, I know I won’t face it alone.