Page 95 of Dark Desires

“I guess you’re lucky I’m head-over-heels for someone else.”

I nod. “I never wanted it to be this way. But now... she and I, we’re tied together in more ways than one.”

She’s quiet for a while, sitting in a chair by the window, and I let the silence hang between us. It’s clear she’s processing everything, but there’s a part of me that’s hoping—praying—that she’s going to see what I’m trying to do here.

“Stephania, listen.” I take a deep breath, trying to keep myself calm, focused. “I’ve spoken to Omar.”

This gets her attention. “Omar? Is he OK?”

“He’s fine. Right now, he’s out of the country.”

“Where?” she shoots to her feet.

“I can’t tell you.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because Christian can’t know where he is. Omar is the linchpin of his plan. If he can’t find him, then this is all for nothing.”

She nods, getting it. “And you’re worried that if you tell me, and Christian manages to get ahold of me…” Stephania trails off.

“That’s right. But the plan is to send you to him. He’s already gone through with his side of the plan. I came here to get you to do the same.”

Her expression darkens slightly. “Well, here I am. Tell me. What’s the plan?”

I move closer to her. “Domenico’s about to give me up to Christian. And once that happens, it’s over for me. You’re another story.”

“Go on.”

“You know how good Isabella is at breaking out?”

She laughs. “I’ve heard a thing or two.”

“Well, now it’syourjob to be the escape artist. You need to get out of here and get in touch with Yuri, my brother.” I spot a pen and notepad on the desk and go over and write down Yuri’s number. I come back over to Stephania and place the paper in her hand.

“Yuri. And then what?”

“He’ll take you to the airport and put you on a plane. You’ll see Omar at the end of it.”

“And what about you? Why can’t you come with us?”

“I’m walking into the lion’s den,” I say. “I have to go there to get Isabella. I’ll figure out the how when I’m there. And with Christian and your father occupied with that, it’ll be the perfect chance for you to escape.”

A few beats of silence pass, and for a moment, I worry she’ll tell me no.

“I’ll do it. But you have to promise me you’ll save my cousin and the baby. You have to promise me you’ll stay alive for them.”

A knock sounds at the door, and it opens. Mario’s on the other side.

“Time’s up, Steph,” he says. “Come on, your uncle finds out that I let you talk to him, and he’ll have my ass.”

“I have to go,” Stephania says. “I’ll do it. I’ll do what you ask.

“I’ll come back,” I say, “with your family.”

She looks at the paper in her hand, and then, with one final nod, she leaves.

CHAPTER 31