Page 87 of Dark Desires

Christian’s jaw tightens. “Omar doesn’t understand what it takes to survive in this world. He thinks he can walk away, pretend he’s not part of this, play good-boy lawyer in that little firm of his. But blood ties run deep, Isabella. He’ll see that eventually.

“Here’s the reality,” he says, leaning against the desk. “You’re out of moves. Your father is going to do what I want, your cousin will marry my son, and the Ivanovs will be destroyed.”

“You’re too cocky, acting like you’ve already won. You’ll never get away with this.”

His laugh is low, mocking. “We’ll see about that.”

Christian exits the room with a final, chilling smirk, leaving me alone to stew in my fear and anger.

The heavy door clicks shut behind him, and I let out a shaky breath. My hands move instinctively to my stomach, palms pressing gently against the small bump.

“Don’t worry, little one. I’ll get us out of this. Somehow.”

I look around the room to get a sense of what my situation is. The windows are big, but barred. No slipping out that way.

I get up and go over to the door, placing my palms against it and pushing. It’s solid as they come. It’s wooden, but I’d need the mother of all axes to break through it. There’s a lock, but no chance of picking it.

The villa is quiet, except for the faint hum of air conditioning and the occasional sound of footsteps outside the door. My mind races, replaying everything Christian said. He’s banking on Dad’s love for me to seal Alexei’s fate.

And if Alexei dies, the Bratva is weakened, and Christian tightens his grip on Chicago. And then without the Mancinis on their side, it’s only a matter of time before Christian manages to take them down.

And Stephania? I can’t even imagine what she’d be going through. She’d get to be with Omar, but at what cost? Her family would be gone, and Omar would be pulled into a life of crime that he never wanted.

I move back to the window and peer through the bars. The sprawling garden I’d seen earlier is still there, pristine and lush. Beyond the garden, I can see a high wall lined with cameras.

Whoever designed the security system for Christian is good; this place is a fortress.

Still, if there’s something I’m good at, it’s breaking out of fortresses. I chuckle at the idea of Mario seeing me now, about to put my skills to good use for once instead of to drive him crazy.

There has to be a way out. I refuse to believe this is where it ends. My thoughts shift to Alexei. If anyone can find me, it’s him.

But that hope is fleeting. Christian isn’t a man who leaves loose ends—he’s going to kill Alexei, and he’s going to kill me after that. Not a chance in hell he’s going to let me get away, knowing that I could return at any time to claim the Mancini throne.

My chest tightens at the thought of never seeing Alexei again, never watching him hold our child—it’s unbearable.

I don’t care if I need to kick the door down and take apart every damn guard with my bare hands. I’m getting out of here.

I force myself to focus. No crying. No breaking down. I’m not some damsel waiting to be rescued. If I can’t find a way out, I’ll damn well make one.

CHAPTER 29

ALEXEI

“This is fucking huge.”

Lev’s words hang in the air.

The Ivanov mansion is a fortress preparing for war. But right now, the leaders of the Ivanov Bratva are reeling from the bomb I’ve just dropped. We’re gathered in the strategy room—a dim, wood-paneled space that smells of cigars and whiskey.

Lev leans forward in his chair.

“She’spregnant?’

Everyone’s eyes are on me. I can’t tell if they’re pissed or what.

“She’s pregnant. I didn’t want it to come out like this.”

Elena laughs. “Howdidyou want it to come out? Some balloons with a note attached that says ‘Hey, I knocked up the cousin of the woman I’m supposed to marry’?”