Page 65 of Dark Desires

Steph nods. “Exactly. If we side with the Ivanovs, we stand a chance of keeping Christian in check. And now Christian wants me to marry intohisfamily. Either way…”

She trails off, and she doesn’t have to finish the sentence. We both know what’s at stake.

“OK,” I say. “So, worst-case scenario, you marry Alexei. He’s not the worst guy in the world. I mean, he’s rich, he’s hot, and he’s—well, let’s just say he knows how to handle himself.”

Stephania shoots me a confused look, and I realize I might’ve overshared. “What do you mean?”

Shit. Her confused expression makes me keenly aware of the other dimension to this whole thing—the little fact that not only have I been hooking up with Alexei, but that I’m carrying his kid.

“Alexei saved my life more than once.”

She sniffles. “I know, but he’s not Omar. I just can’t forget about him, Isa. I love him.”

“And he loves you,” I say.

He expression hardens. “But he won’t stand up to his father. And I can’t blame him. Christian would destroy him—and us.”

“You know,” I say after a moment, “it’s not fair that you’re the one stuck with this.”

She shrugs. “What does fair have to do with it? This is the life we were born into.”

“Still, the way my dad’s asking you to give away your whole future… it’s not right.”

She shakes her head. “It’s not about what’s right, Isa. It’s about what needs to be done to keep this family safe. And right now, this is it. Who knows? Maybe Alexei and I will learn to like each other or something.”

I hate how resigned she sounds, like she’s already accepted her fate. But I don’t know how to fix this. All I can do is be here for her.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close. “Listen. No matter what happens, I’ve got your back. Always.”

Steph leans into me. “Thanks, Isa. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

I take a deep breath. “Seriously, Steph, we’re going to figure this out. Somehow.”

“I just wish there was another way.”

“Me too. But if anyone can handle this, it’s you.”

We sit there for a while, the weight of our conversation settling over us. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but one thing is clear: the De la Rosas are playing a dangerous game, and Stephania is caught in the middle.

And I have to keep her safe, no matter what.

CHAPTER 22

ALEXEI

I’m gazing down at the city from the windows of my office, drink in hand.

It’s a quiet night, but my head is anything but. I lean back in my chair, replaying the conversation I had with Luk earlier.

“Christian was at the Mancini place,” Luk had said. “It doesn’t take a genius to figure out he’s up to something.”

Christian de la Rosa showing up uninvited at the Mancini estate feels like the kind of chess move you don’t see coming until it’s too late.

If he’s trying to drive a wedge between the Ivanovs and the Mancinis, it’s a smart play. He’s banking on mistrust, on our alliances crumbling. And if he manages it? The war that’s been simmering will boil over, catching us on our back foot.

But there’s more to it. If Christian pulls the Mancinis to his side, then what does that mean for Isabella?

Is she even mine? Hell, I don’t know. Baby mama. That’s what Americans call it, right? I let out a dry chuckle, shaking my head.