Page 88 of Dark Desires

“I don’t know,” I say, a little frustrated with myself. “None of this was planned.”

“I’ll say,” Lev adds.

“But it’s happened. I’ve fallen hard for Isa, and she’s carrying my child. And now she’s gone.”

Silence hangs in the air. My family regards one another as if hoping one of them will come up with the perfect plan to solve this dilemma.

“Domenico wants answers,” Grigori says. “He knows that his daughter’s been kidnapped, but he doesn’t know the circumstances. If he were to find out that she was taken from your place, Alexei, he’d put it together pretty goddamn quickly.”

I run my hand through my hair. “I know this is bad. I know I screwed the family.”

“That’s putting it lightly,” Luk says. “But I think we can figure this one out.”

“How’s that?” Yuri asks.

Luk leans forward. “The whole point of this marriage was to join with the Mancinis against the cartel. Well, by taking Domenico’s daughter, who’s carrying Alexei’s child…”

Elena’s eyes light up. “The war’s already started, and the battle lines are drawn.”

Luk nods. “Correct.”

“It’s not that simple,” Lev says. “If Domenico’s mad about this, it might make him come to an arrangement with De la Rosa against us.”

It’s my turn to speak up. “Then we need to get her back from De la Rosa, no matter the cost.”

Silence falls as my family regards one another once more.

I continue. “We have to go on the offensive. If he took Isabella instead of killing her, that means he’s planning on using her. We have to attack before he can move any more pieces on the board.”

Yuri sits back. “I’m still confused how you’re not dead, Alexei. Seems like taking you out would’ve solved a lot of problems for Christian.”

“They got sloppy,” I say. “They took me down, but didn’t finish the job. Guess they got cocky and thought that two solid blows to the head would be enough. Me living wasn’t part of the plan, and I’m going to make them pay for their screwup.”

Luk clears his throat.

“Granted, I’ll need a CT scan after this is all over,” I add with a grumble.

“They must’ve knocked a couple of screws loose,” Elena chuckles dryly.

“You sure about this?” he asks. “We’d be going to war, risking everything for this attack. The whole family would be at risk.”

I meet his gaze. “She’s carrying my child, Lev. That makes her family.”

Grigori sighs, glancing over at Elena. “I’d scold you for this, Alexei, but Elena and I know a thing or two about forbidden romance.”

Elena winks at her husband. “Not to mention Lev and Luk, here.”

My brothers say nothing, knowing they’re dead to rights on this matter.

Lev shakes his head. “So, we need a plan. Christian’s got Isabella, and it’s only a matter of time before Domenico learns the truth. We need to get ahead of that before he decides that what you’ve done is the ultimate betrayal.”

I nod. “I’ll be the one to handle that. I’ll get to the Mancini mansion, tell him what happened. If he wants to kill me on the spot, then so be it. But if we’re going to get on his good side, it needs to start with the truth.”

“Good call,” Luk says. “Assuming that goes well with Domenico, and that’s a bigif, we’ll need to figure out how we’re not only going to take out De la Rosa but also get Isa back safe and sound.”

I lean back in my chair. “I have a plan for that, too.”

Yuri raises an eyebrow. “Is that so?”