Page 103 of Dark Desires

We land not long after. The plane taxis to a private hangar where Mario is standing by a sleek black car. As soon as I step out, his face softens.

“Isabella,” he says, “I’m sorry about your father. He was a good man and loved you more than anything.”

“Thanks, Mar,” I reply, my voice cracking. I climb into the car, keeping my eyes on the floor as we drive.

The Mancini estate looms ahead, cold and empty. As soon as I step inside, the weight of everything crushes me. My father, Alexei, the baby—too much, all at once. I collapse onto thenearest couch, burying my face in my hands as the tears pour out.

“Stephania?” I call out weakly, hoping for some shred of comfort. But the house is silent. She’s gone.

And I’m all alone.

CHAPTER 35

ISABELLA

"So, Ms. Mancini, care to explain how you ended up in the same villa as Christian de la Rosa, surrounded by cartel members?"

The room is sterile, cold, and suffocating—probably by design.

Across from me, Agent Patterson sits, firing questions like bullets. Her tone is clipped, her demeanor unrelenting.

“I was kidnapped.”

“Do you have proof of this?” she asks.

Next to me is my lawyer, Vince Marino. He’s in his late forties with salt-and-pepper hair, impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit. Vince was my father’s go-to counsel, and he’s damn good at what he does.

Vince leans forward. "Agent Patterson, unless you have concrete evidence linking my client to any criminal activity, this is a total waste of your time and ours.”

Patterson ignores him, her gaze fixed on me. "You’re the daughter of the late Domenico Mancini. There’s no doubt thatyou were involved in his empire. Hell, word on the street is that you’re the new head of it. And that’d make sense—the father passing on the kingdom to his daughter.”

Not a single word passes my lips.

“Is this why you dragged us here, Agent?” Vince asks. “Do you have something tangible, or should we call this what it is—a fishing expedition?"

Agent Patterson leans back, a tinge of frustration appearing on her face. "We both know you’re not innocent, Ms. Mancini. You’re in deeper than you’re admitting. This is far from over."

“For the last time, Agent Patterson,” Vince says, his voice calm, “my client has no knowledge of the dealings of a Christian de la Rosa. And unless you’ve got evidence to the contrary, this line of questioning is, as I said, a waste of everyone’s time.”

Patterson’s eyes narrow as she shifts her attention to me. “You know, Ms. Mancini, you could take the heat off you if you’d just cooperate a little, give the FBI something to work with. Maybe even work with us, share information.”

Vince scoffs. “Alright, that’s enough. You’ve got nothing, and we don’t need to spend another minute here.”

The agent sighs, shaking her head, as if finally understanding that she’s not going to get anything.Then Patterson’s gaze drops to my dress. “What’s with the black? Are you heading to a party?”

I bite back my first response, but Vince doesn’t miss a beat.

“Agent,” he says sharply, “my client is attending her father’s funeral today. You’ve already kept her long enough.”

“That’s right—that’s today.”

She knew this, of course. Dragging me to her office on the day of my father’s funeral was an obvious pointed message.

“Anyway, we’ll be speaking again soon.” She stands.

Vince rises, adjusting his tie. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

The moment we’re outside, I let out a frustrated breath. Mario’s there, waiting by the car.