Page 101 of Dark Desires

His eyelids flutter open, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. Relief surges through me. He’s alive. He’s here.But all that blood tells me what I don’t want to accept—this is it.

“Isabella…” His voice is thin, raspy. “Look at you. You’re so strong. You’re going to lead this family better than I ever could.”

I shake my head. “No. Stop. You’re not going anywhere. We’ll get you patched up, and you’ll be yelling at me to stay home by this time next week.”

His laugh is a weak wheeze. “Stubborn as always, just like your mother.”

I grip his hand tighter, like I can keep him here through sheer willpower.

“You can’t leave, Dad. I need you. We need you.”

“You don’t need me anymore, Bella.” He coughs, wincing. “You’ve got this. And you’ve got him. Never thought something like this would happen… Yet here we are… The half-mutt of the Ivanovs… He found a way to bind his blood to mine, after all…”

Dad’s gaze shifts to Alexei, who’s silent but steady at my side. “Promise me, Plushenko,” Dad rasps, his voice sharper now. “Promise me you’ll take care of my daughter and my grandchild.”

Alexei doesn’t hesitate. “I swear it on my life.”

Dad looks back at me, his eyes filled with love. “I love you, Isabella. Always.”

“I love you too, Dad.” Tears stream down my face.

Then his hand slackens in mine and the life fades from his eyes.

“No!” I cry out, shaking him gently. “Dad, please.”

But he’s gone. The weight of it crashes into me, and I collapse against him, clutching his hand. Alexei wraps an arm around me.

“We’ll honor his memory, Isabella. I swear it.”

The world around me blurs until a voice cuts through the fog.

“Isabella Mancini?”

I look up to see the woman in the FBI jacket approaching. “I’m Agent Patterson. I’m sorry for your loss.”

I nod stiffly; my throat too tight to speak.

Patterson’s gaze shifts to Alexei. “Our cooperation is over now, Mr. Plushenko. We have De la Rosa. Your services are no longer required.”

I glance over my shoulder, watching as Christian, cursing and struggling, is dragged off by federal agents. But I don’t feel the slightest bit of satisfaction. I feel empty.

Alexei smirks at the agent. “No hard feelings about the coffee, Patterson?”

“Let’s just say this—the next time we meet, it’ll likely be under less pleasant circumstances.”

Alexei stands. “Duly noted. Until then, Agent Patterson.”

With that, she walks off.

Alexei slips his phone out of his pocket.

“They’re here. Time to go,Devotchka.”

“What? Who’s they?”

“My family. There’s a plane on the other side of the island.”

As if on cue, a black car arrives in front of the villa gates.