Page 97 of Dark Desires

My eyes are on the helicopter landing in the center. Its blades whip the air into a frenzy, sending my hair flying as I crouch behind a low wall, watching.

The doors to the courtyard open, and out steps Christian, flanked by his personal guards. He’s all confidence and swagger. His eyes are hidden behind dark designer sunglasses, and the look on his face is cocky as hell, like everything’s going according to plan.

I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms. The sight of Christian fills me with a rage I can barely understand. I want to rip him apart with my bare hands.

I glance down at the gun in my waistband, then up at Christian. As tempting as the idea is, there’s no way I’d hit him from this distance.

The doors of the helicopter open and out steps Alexei.

No, I can’t believe it. He’s here, but as a fellow prisoner, not my savior. My relief is short-lived as I realize what this means.

My father gave him up.

My father, the man who loves me above all else, the man who would do anything to protect me, the man who just stepped out of the chopper next to Alexei.

CHAPTER 32

ISABELLA

Icrouch lower behind the hedge, my hand trembling as it grips the pistol I swiped.

What the hell am I even doing? There’s got to be at least a dozen guards out here, all of them armed to the teeth. Me? I’ve got shaky hands and zero aim. I will be of no help.

The helicopter blades slow, the noise giving way to the muffled sounds of Christian’s boots on the stone courtyard as he strides toward my dad. My eyes dart to Alexei, tied up and bloodied, his nose clearly broken. The sight makes my stomach churn and my anger boil over.

The blades finally stop, and the words between Christian and my dad come into focus. I lean forward, trying to catch every word.

“You brought him,” Christian says, his voice smooth, like he’s congratulating Domenico on a job well done. “Just as I asked.”

Alexei, tied and bloodied as he is, manages a smirk. The cocky bastard. Even now, he’s unshaken.

“You look pleased with yourself,” Domenico says.

“Oh, I am,” Christian replies. “But there’s a wrinkle. My son has gone off the radar.”

My heart skips a beat. Omar’s gone? Alexei’s smirk widens, and it clicks—he had something to do with it.

Domenico crosses his arms. “I’ll find him,” he says. “And I’ll bring Stephania, as you requested. She’ll marry Omar, and our families will unite.”

Christian nods approvingly. “Good.”

Domenico gestures toward Alexei. “And him?”

Christian’s smile is cold, calculated. “Alexei and Isabella stay here. They’ll make fine hostages to keep the Ivanovs at bay—and to ensure your loyalty, Domenico.”

I clamp my hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp. Hostages?

“Wait,” Dad says. “You didn’t say anything about keeping my daughter as a hostage. You told me that if I brought you Alexei, I’d get her back.”

Christian shrugs. “Plans change. I’ve already got her. Why would I give her up?”

Dad’s eyes flash with fury. “Give her to me now, you prick!”

Without another word, Dad rushes toward Christian, but the guards are too fast, swarming him and dropping him to his knees with a punch to the gut.

Alexei hasn’t said a word, his expression locked in that unreadable calm.

My father’s phone buzzes, slicing through the heavy silence. But he’s still on his knees, his chest rising and falling.