Page 38 of Dark Desires (Chicago Bratva #1)

ISABELLA

“ V ince, I’m telling you, we need to double security at the docks,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “The Colombians might be on their last legs, but that doesn’t mean their allies won’t take a swing.”

I’m seated at the long table in the dining room, a cup of decaf espresso in hand, facing Vince across from me. His tailored suit is impeccable, as always, his silver hair neatly combed back.

Vince nods, scribbling something in his leather notebook. “I agree, but we’ll need to reroute resources from the South Side if we do that. Unless you want to cut into other operations.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I’m not cutting anything. Make it work. That’s why you’re the consigliere, right?”

He smirks. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good. I need updates on the casino contracts next week. And let’s lock down that new warehouse deal by Friday.”

“Consider it done.”

Before Vince can continue, Mario steps into the room, clearing his throat. “Ma’am, you’ve got a visitor.”

I glance at him, surprised. “Who is it?”

“Alexei Plushenko.”

The world seems to freeze.

Alexei?

He’s back?

I clear my throat, forcing myself to keep cool. “Send him in.”

I turn to Vince and say, “We’ll finish this later.”

Vince closes his notebook. “Of course. Call me if you need anything.” With that, he gets up and leaves.

I glance down at my belly, now too big to hide. I sip my espresso, as if that’ll fix everything.

When Alexei walks in, I almost choke on my drink. He’s alive alright, looking as maddeningly confident as ever in a sharp black suit that hugs his frame just right. His blue eyes pierce through me.

He leans against the wall near the door. God, I want to punch him and kiss him all at the same time.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here.”

Alexei chuckles, like this is all some joke. “It’s good to see you too, Isabella.”

“I thought you were rotting in a cell,” I say. “Or dead, or… God, I don’t know. And now you waltz in here like nothing happened?”

I stand up and start making my way around the table.

“It’s not so serious,” he says. “Patterson wanted to put the screws to me. After the incident at the villa, I went to New York for a bit, kept a low profile. I think the lady agent had been hoping I’d celebrate too hard or something and give her a good reason to pick me up, too.”

“I see.”

He nods. “I hear she did the same to you. On the day of your father’s funeral, no less.

Don’t worry—she’s all bluster right now.

And with De la Rosa gone, she’s going to have a hard time making a case to the Feds back in DC that she should continue to pursue us.

They’re smart enough not to upset the status quo. ”

I run my hand through my hair. I should be paying attention, but I can’t help but notice how damn surreal it is that he’s back.

“I thought you might be dead.”

He smiles. “Not a chance. Listen, Devotchka … I didn’t want to have to leave like that, especially with what happened with your father.”

“Uh-huh.”

“But I couldn’t be here, couldn’t even come to the funeral. You would’ve had Patterson and her agents swarming around while you were trying to put your father to rest.”

I want to be mad at him, but he’s making sense. No telling what she would’ve done if Alexei had been there.

“And Omar? What happened to him?”

“Gone. Poof.” He smirks. “But don’t worry, he’s safe. Your cousin helped with that.”

I blink. “Stephania?”

“Yeah. The lovebirds worked with me on this. It was all part of the plan.”

“Plan?” My voice rises. “You mean the plan you conveniently forgot to mention to me ?”

Alexei steps closer, that damn smirk still on his face. “You were safer not knowing.”

“Safer?” I jab a finger at his chest. “You left me here to pick up the pieces, Alexei! My father’s dead, my cousin vanished, and I’m supposed to just take your word for it?”

He laughs softly, his hand catching mine. “You’re beautiful when you’re angry, you know that?”

I pull away, glaring at him. “Don’t you dare?—”

But before I can finish, his lips crash against mine, silencing me with a kiss so intense it leaves me breathless. I hate how much I melt into it, hate how much I want him.

When he finally pulls back, his eyes soften. “There’s a message for you. It’s online, and I have the address.”

I’m still in a daze. Did he really just kiss me like that out of nowhere, and then change the subject? It’s pure Alexei.

I blink, confused. “What?”

“She wanted you to know the truth. Let’s go check.”

My head is spinning, and for once, I have no snappy comeback. I just stare at him, searching his face for answers, even as I know I’ll find them in that message.

A few moments later, I’m sitting at my dad’s old desk, staring at the laptop screen like it might jump out and bite me. Alexei reaches over and types in a web address. When he’s done and hits enter , a video appears on the screen.

It’s of Steph and Omar. My heart skips a beat.

The video is ready to play, the little triangle begging me to hit it. Alexei stands behind me, quiet but impossible to ignore.

“Go on,” he says. “It’s good news.”

I finally click, and the screen lights up with Stephania’s face. She’s grinning, and behind her is… Venice? Of course. The Grand Canal stretches out like a freaking postcard, gondolas gliding by as if life’s one big Italian rom-com.

“Isa!” Stephania’s voice bursts through the speakers, and I’m hit with a wave of emotions I can’t even name.

“I hope you’re not too mad at me for disappearing.

But Alexei arranged for me to meet Omar somewhere his father couldn’t find us.

It was too dangerous to reach out until we knew Christian was in custody and we were safe. ”

Next to her, Omar stands there smiling, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, his hand raised in a small wave. “We’re safe, and we’re happy. Europe’s been a great start for us. We’ve been traveling around, seeing the sights.”

“Next stop is Sicily,” Steph says. “We’re going to stay there for a while, at least until it’s safe to come back.”

Stephania’s voice softens, and I know the emotional part is coming.

“I know it’s not fair, leaving you with everything.

But you’re strong, Isa. Stronger than me.

I know you’ll keep things together. And when you do, I’ll be there to celebrate.

I love you, Isa. You’re the best cousin, the best friend I could’ve asked for. ”

Omar pops onto the screen. “And we can’t wait to meet the baby.”

With that, they wave at the camera and say their goodbyes, and that’s it.

The video ends, leaving me staring at the screen like an idiot. I should feel relieved. Instead, I’m crying like a mess. I try to wipe away the tears before Alexei notices.

“She’s happy,” he says. “And safe.”

I nod, exhaling hard. “Yeah, she is. And I’m happy for her. But seriously, leaving me with all this? She’s lucky I love her.”

Alexei crouches down next to me, taking my hands. “You’re doing an amazing job, Isabella. Everyone sees it.”

I snort. “Sure, Alexei. Everyone except me.”

“You’re winging it like a pro,” he says, that damn smirk playing on his lips. “But maybe it’s time to make things easier.”

My brow arches. “What are you talking about?”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small black box. Oh, no. Oh, hell no. Then he opens it, and yep, it’s exactly what I think it is. A glittering diamond ring.

“Isabella Mancini,” he says. “I love you. You’re brilliant, strong, fearless—and let’s be honest, running this family like you were born to do it, which makes perfect sense—you were. Marry me. Let’s do this together.”

I blink, my jaw practically hitting the desk. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious. You and me, together. Ivanovs and Mancinis, a real alliance. No fake engagements, no bullshit. Just us. That is… unless you, much like your father, have an issue with marrying an Ivanov half-breed like me.”

I laugh, even as my eyes well up again. “You’re unbelievable, Alexei.”

“And you’re stalling,” he says. “Yes or no, Isa?”

“Fine. Yes, you ridiculous man.”

He slides the ring onto my finger, and then his arms are around me, pulling me into him.

“Now,” he says, “let’s celebrate properly.”

I laugh, trying to ignore the heat rising to my cheeks. “Properly? You mean cake and champagne, right?”

His smirk deepens, and there’s no mistaking the mischievous glint in his eyes. “Not exactly what I had in mind, but we can pencil that in for later.”

Before I can even respond, he sweeps me off my feet, literally.

“Alexei!” I yelp, clutching at his shoulders. “What are you doing?”

“Carrying my fiancé to her bedroom,” he says casually. “Got a problem with that?”

I roll my eyes, even as my heart races. “You’re out of your mind, you know that?”

He chuckles. “And you love it.”

I don’t bother denying it. Instead, I let myself relax in his arms as he carries me up the grand staircase. By the time we reach my room, I’m soaked and ready for him.

He kicks the door open, and I can’t help but notice how completely at ease he looks, like he belongs here in my home. Like we belong here.

He sets me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist. I look up at him, my breath catching at the way his blue eyes burn into mine. There’s something about the intensity of his gaze that makes my knees weak.

“You’re staring,” I say.

“You’re beautiful,” he replies without missing a beat. “And I’ve been dying to get my hands on you again.”

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “Well, what’s stopping you?”

That’s all the encouragement he needs. His lips smash against mine, hot and demanding, and I melt into him, my hands threading through his hair as his arms pull me flush against him.

The way he takes control, the way he makes me feel like I’m the only thing in the world that matters, is overwhelming in the best way.

Somehow, we make it to the bed, our clothes disappearing piece by piece. His hands are everywhere, exploring, caressing, igniting a fire under my skin that I can’t control. When his lips trail down my neck, over my collarbone, and lower still, I gasp, my fingers clutching at the sheets.

He turns his attention to my baby bump. He can’t stop staring at it.

“You’re so goddamn beautiful like this,” he says. “It’s the honor of my life to see you carrying my child.”

Then he kneels down, placing a slow, reverent kiss on my belly. In those moments, I feel treasured in a way I never have before. And there’s no doubt he’s going to be the father this little man or woman needs.

“Alexei,” I breathe.

He looks up at me, lust burning in his eyes. “I’ve got you, Isa.”

He stands and prepares to lay me down on the bed, to climb over me.

But I’ve got something else in mind.

“No, Alexei—I’ve got you .”

He raises an eyebrow, and with a tug, I pull him around and place my hands on his chest, pushing him onto the bed. He lands on his back, letting out a laugh.

Slowly, I straddle Alexei's hips, feeling the heat of his body radiate up through mine. His hands come to rest on my thighs, thumbs brushing against the sensitive skin just above my knees as he looks up at me with those intense eyes.

“I love you, Isa."

“And I love you, Alexei.”

I lean down to kiss him, moaning softly into his mouth, already feeling him hardening beneath me.My hips roll instinctively against his length as I start rocking slowly—savoring every delicious bit of friction.

I continue to rock my hips against Alexei, the pleasure already building within me. My breath catches as I feel that familiar pressure coiling tight at the base of my spine, his cock rubbing against my clit, making me somehow more soaked than I already am.

“Oh God...” The words slip from my mouth in a gasp.

I reach down, wrapping my fingers around his thick length and position him at my entrance.

Alexei grips my waist firmly, guiding me down onto him in one smooth motion. The sensation is overwhelming—feeling every ridge and vein as he fills me completely.

"Fuck, yes,” he groans.

With a slow, powerful thrust, he drives his cock up into me.I start grinding again, this time with more urgency. Each roll of my hips brings a heavenly drag of his cock against that sensitive spot inside me until the orgasm builds to the point of near release.

He reaches around and clamps his hands down on my ass, a hard expression forming on his stupidly handsome face as he works me from below, grinding into me, splitting me in half in the most erotic way possible.

Then, it hits.

I let out an ahh! as ecstasy crashes over me like a tidal wave. I come hard around him, my inner walls clenching rhythmically, milking his length for all it's worth.

“Now,” he says as my orgasm fades, “it’s time for me to show you what’s been on my mind since I last saw you.”

He takes my hips and raises me, his cock sliding out. As soon as he does, I want him back inside me. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to want to make me wait for long. He guides me onto my back, climbing on top.

Alexei's intense gaze holds mine as he slowly rises up onto his knees, positioning himself at my entrance once more. I can feel the heat radiating off his skin, mingling with the warmth of my own body. He lowers himself back down, sheathing his thick length inside me in one smooth motion.

My back arches off the bed as pleasure surges through me—so intense I can hardly believe it.He starts moving then, each deliberate thrust driving him deeper into my pussy.

"Isa... my love," Alexei groans. His hands roam over every curve and valley of my body possessively, fingers tracing along sensitive skin before cupping my breasts and squeezing, teasing my nipples and making them hard.

"You feel incredible wrapped around me like this."

I moan softly in response, hips rocking to meet each powerful stroke of his cock.

“There’s nothing like being inside you,” he replies. “Fucking nothing.”

He moves faster, kissing me as he picks up the pace of his thrusts. I wrap my arms and legs around him, Alexei in place, bringing him close to me.

“Right there,” I moan. “Right there. I’m so goddamn close.”

His strokes are full and deep, each one splitting me in half.

“Come for me,” he says. “Now.”

I’ve never been able to resist this command. I release, the climax taking hold as he fills me one more time. Alexei grunts hard before capturing my lips in a kiss, his cock pulsing inside as he drains deeply.

He holds himself like that for a few more wonderful moments before pulling out and falling to my side, gathering me into his arms.When we finally collapse together, I can’t help but smile.

“Well, my queen,” he says with a grin. “Are you ready to rule?”

I smirk. “Are you ready to watch?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Devotchka .”