Page 22 of Dark Desires

She drops to her knees, and I’m beside her in a moment.

“Oh, Steph…” Worry takes hold on Isabella’s face.

“She hit her head,” I say. “Let me…”

I press my fingers against her neck, finding a pulse. It’s there—steady, but weak.

“Ambulances are on the way,” someone yells through the room.

“She’s going to be OK, right?” Isabella asks.

“She needs medical attention—now.” I flick my eyes over to Isabella’s wound. “And so do you.”

“I’m fine.” As soon as she says the words, she blinks hard, as if trying to compose herself.

Tonight wasn’t a random hit. There’s no doubt in my mind that this was De la Rosa’s doing. He’d somehow found out about the party and figured it’d be a good chance to take out as many Ivanovs and Mancinis as possible, soften us up for the coming war.

And he most certainly wanted to send a message.

The paramedics rush in, red and blue lights casting shadows across the walls. They’re at Stephania’s side in seconds. I step back, watching as they work. Isabella stands a few feet away, her arm bleeding, but her expression calm and defiant.

Her strength continues to impress me.

I move over to her. “This isn’t over,” I say, keeping my voice low. “We need to talk.”

She meets my gaze, eyes steady. “Yeah, we do.”

Isabella opens her mouth to speak again, but this time, nothing comes out.

She sways just before her eyes close, and she collapses like a device that’s lost power. I rush to her side, taking her into my arms.

“Help!”

CHAPTER 6

ISABELLA

I’m slouched in a hospital bed, which seems a little excessive, my arm bandaged up and throbbing. It all feels like a nightmare.

To make it worse, the cops are right in front of me.

The officer isn’t letting up. He’s firing off questions like rounds from the guns I’d just been taking cover from.

“Did you see anyone suspicious?”

“You mean besides the guys who were shooting at me?”

“Cute. I mean, before that happened.”

“Nope.”

“Catch any names?”

“No.”

He frowns. “And you’re sure you didn’t recognize any of the attackers?”

I roll my eyes. “They all had masks on.”