Page 98 of Dark Desires

“You going to answer that, Domenico?” Christian asks. “Could be important.”

Dad flashes him a hard look, then he answers, rising to his feet and stepping away slightly, but whatever he hears makes him go pale.

“What’s wrong?” Christian demands, his voice sharp.

My father hesitates, the words seemingly stuck in his throat. Then, finally, he mutters, “Stephania is missing.”

Christian’s face darkens, his cool demeanor cracking as he lets out a vicious curse.

“Missing?” he snaps, his eyes darting to Alexei. “What the hell does that mean?”

My father looks shaken, too rattled to answer. Christian, in contrast, is seething. His hand flies to his side, pulling out a pistol. He strides toward Alexei, his rage palpable.

“What did you do?” he barks, jamming the gun into Alexei’s chest.

Alexei doesn’t so much as flinch. His voice is low, steady, dangerous. “My plan is going perfectly.”

The words send Christian spiraling further into fury. His grip tightens on the gun. “You’ve got three seconds to start talking, Plushenko, or your plan won’t matter anymore.”

My heart slams against my ribs. Christian’s counting down, and Alexei—ice cold, unflinching Alexei—doesn’t say a damn word.

“Three.”

I clench the pistol in my trembling hand, desperately trying to figure out what to do.

“Two.”

The gun is cocked. My breath catches.

“One.”

“Stop!” I scream, stepping out from my hiding place. All eyes snap to me, shock flickering across their faces.

My father’s relief is immediate. “Isabella,” he breathes, taking a step toward me, but Christian holds up a hand to stop him.

“Well, well,” Christian says, lowering his gun slightly. “The clever little escape artist. Color me impressed.”

I hold my ground, glaring at him, my fingers curling into fists.

Christian’s smirk twists into something cruel. “You’ve been nothing but a pain in my ass since all this started. Maybe I should just end this game now. Kill you and that brat you’re carrying.”

He raises the gun and points it at me.

CHAPTER 33

ALEXEI

“No!”

The word explodes from Domenico, his eyes wide. Without a second of hesitation, he steps between Christian and Isabella.

“Dad!”

Pop.

The crack of the gunshot splits the air.

The bullet hits.