Page 18 of Dark Desires

His mouth at my ear: You’re mine tonight. The ache, the shatter, the way he stamped himself into me so deep I’ve been carrying him ever since.

His gaze collides with mine—and that’s when I see it.

Not just recognition.

Not just shock. But anger.

I can see from the look in his eyes one thing is perfectly clear: he never forgave me.

Not for running. Not for daring to forget him.

He masks it instantly, Bratva cool as stone, but I saw it. That flash of betrayal. Fury that his Cinderella vanished into the night without a word. Fury that I left his bed, his arms, without giving him the control he’s used to having over everything.

Steph beams beneath his touch, oblivious.

He shifts his hand on her waist like nothing’s wrong, like he isn’t burning me alive with a single look.

But I see it again—that tiny crack in his armor. The way his jaw tightens as I stumble back, the way his gaze follows me even as he stays rooted at her side.

He’s furious.

He’s aching.

Smile, Isabella. Don’t ruin the treaty.

Don’t collapse in front of killers in cufflinks.

Champagne bubbles hiss too close, caviar tang sharp in my throat. My stomach clenches.

“Isa? You okay?” Steph’s voice filters through the haze.

“Totally fine,” I chirp, brittle. “This place has the world’s best air conditioning and yet I’m sweating. Must be the caviar fumes.”

I fan myself with my clutch, forcing a laugh. Then I stumble back, muttering, “Be right back.”

My heels clatter down marble until I find a quiet corner. I press my spine to the cool wall, lungs dragging for air.

Stephania’s happiness. Dad’s alliances. My secret.

And Alexei.

Back in my life.

With his arm around my cousin.

Angry that I left him.

The man who once claimed me.

The man who can never know my secret.

CHAPTER 5

ALEXEI

What are the fucking odds?

I stand near the bar, nursing a whiskey, my eyes locked on Isabella like she's a ghost I never expected to see again.