Page 19 of Dark Desires

The woman who disappeared from my bed three months ago. The woman who ignored my note, my plea for her to wait. The woman who's haunted every damn day since.

I came back that morning with fresh pastries from her favorite bakery—I'd remembered her mentioning it during our drive. Found my bed empty, my note gone, and felt something break inside my chest that I didn't even know existed.

I tried to find her.

Any trace of her.

Nothing.

And now here she is, practically running from me again.

What are the fucking odds that she happens to be related to the woman my family has asked me to marry?

I take a slow sip, letting the smoky burn settle.

The way Isa practically ran from me must have sparked some sort of suspicion in Stephania, as she leaves me without a word to chase after her. I’m left wondering if Isabella is spilling our secret, and how that might affect the arrangement between our families. Granted, my brothers suggested to Domenico that I marry his daughter at first, but his response was such an adamant no, we knew it had something to do with my heritage, like I wasn’t good enough for his daughter, but he’d tolerate me for his niece.

When Stephania comes back toward me a few moments later, her expression neutral, I realize Isa must not have said anything.

“Is your cousin alright?” I ask.

“She’s fine. At least, I think she is.” Stephania looks away. “She just said she needed air and would be back in momentarily.”

Suddenly, I spot Isabella emerge from wherever she’d been hiding. She looks preoccupied, and her eyes go everywhere but to me.

“Mind if I go speak with her? Maybe she just got overwhelmed with meeting the stranger you’re going to marry. I can try and reassure her.”

“You don’t mind?”

“Of course not. We’re going to have to see each other a lot moving forward, anyway.”

She grins. “Well, she can be a little prickly. Just fair warning.”

“Noted.”

I break from Stephania and head over in Isabella’s direction. She looks stunning. And I know what her body looks like beneath that dress. It’s enough to make my cock stiffen a bit.

“Isabella,” I say, stopping just within her space, close enough to make it intimate without being inappropriate.

She turns. “Alexei. Did you know?”

“Know what? That you were Stephania’s cousin?”

“Yes.”

“Not until earlier today when I saw the guest list.”

“So, she’s never mentioned me?” she presses.

“It’s an arranged marriage, Isa. We’re not exactly courting. We’ve largely stayed out of each other’s way until now.”

“I just can’t believe it. I can’t believeyou’rethe one she’s marrying. What are the chances?”

“Pretty fucking slim, if you ask me. But if you’re worried, don’t be. I promise your cousin will be well taken care of,” I tell her.

“She’d better be,” she shoots back, and I see something briefly flicker in her eyes. Is it jealousy? It’s gone before I can linger too long.

“Well, you should get back to your party,” she tells me. “I should be on my way.” She doesn’t move, however, standing as if she’s stuck in my orbit.