Page 100 of Dark Desires

“Alexei?”

“Trust me.”

Christian steps closer. “I think I’ll keep you both alive for a while. Long enough to watch me take everything you care about. Your families, your power, your lives—piece by piece. And only when you beg for death will I grant it.”

I grit my teeth, every muscle in my body coiled with fury. Isabella clings to my arm, her nails digging into my skin.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I catch it—a glint of metal, the unmistakable shine of scopes over the walls.

My brothers.

A slow grin spreads across my face. Christian notices and narrows his eyes.

“What the hell are you smiling at?” he growls.

“Your funeral.” I shout the command. “Fire!”

And all hell breaks loose.

CHAPTER 34

ISABELLA

Gunfire erupts around us.

I can’t believe what I’m seeing. One by one, the guards collapse. My heart pounds so hard, I’m sure it’s going to burst.Alexei calls out in Russian, his voice sharp and commanding.

Just as suddenly as it started, the gunfire ceases, leaving behind an eerie silence broken only by the groans of the wounded. When the dust settles, the only person left standing, besides Alexei, is Christian de la Rosa, scared out of his mind.

Alexei strides toward him with that lethal, unbothered energy that makes him so terrifying—and, damn it, so hot.

“Before I was part of the Ivanovs,” Alexei says as he approaches Christian, “I had a Bratva of my own. I’m glad you got the chance to meet them.”

With a swift motion, Alexei knocks the gun out of Christian’s hand and slams a fist into his stomach. Christian grunts and folds, dropping to his knees.

“That’s for shooting at the mother of my child.”

Alexei nods toward his men, who rise from their hidden positions along the walls, weapons at the ready.My head spins. He’s had this whole backup plan, this hidden army, the entire time.

A sharp voice cuts through the air.

“Plushenko! I hope for your sake you’ve left De la Rosa alive.”

I whip my head around, searching for the source of the voice. And then I find it—a woman in an FBI jacket, flanked by a half dozen agents, striding into the courtyard with the confidence of someone who knows she’s in control.

Alexei grins, unbothered. “Come get your man, Agent Patterson.”

Her eyes dart between Alexei and Christian, but I can’t focus on her for long.My joy, my relief, all of it vanishes the moment my eyes land on my father.

“Oh no! Oh my God!”

I break into a sprint. Dad’s lying there, pale, his shirt red with blood. My throat tightens as I drop to my knees beside him.

“Dad! No, no, no. Stay with me, please!”

His eyes flicker open; he’s weak but still fighting.Everything feels so surreal. I kneel next to my father, watching him die. No! This can’t be happening. Itcan’tbe happening.

“Dad,” I whisper. “You’re going to be OK. We’ll get help. Just hang on.”