Page 28 of Dark Desire

“Well… They want him more than your family. Think you can deliver him to the FBI?”

“They want him even more than La Lama?”

“Ah…” She shifted nervously. “No. But I have a plan to take care of that. Look…” She held my brother’s gaze. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but I promise I’m going to do everything I can to end this without you or your brothers behind bars.”

“I hope you’re right. Because no matter how my brother feels about you, I will kill you to save the Anastasi name.” Massimo’s words were like a punch to my gut—but I knew he would do everything to protect his family.

Seventeen

Riley

“You better have something for me?” the imposing voice of my partner barked on the other end of the phone.

“I can confirm they are not working with the Prizrak.”

Jackson grew silent for a moment. “You’re sure about this?”

“Yes. Dmitri Ivanov apparently kidnapped Antonio Anastasi because they refused to run something illegal for him. Since taking over, Massimo Anastasi has cut ties with anything illegal. It appears he is trying to clean up the family business.”

“Fuck. Are you saying they’re clean?” Jackson didn't sound convinced.

“So far, yes.”

“This makes no sense. You have found nothing to link Vincenzo Anastasi to La Lama?”

I closed my eyes and recounted the way my body sang beneath his fingers the night before as our bodies tangled beneath the sheets when he made love to me.

“No. In fact.” I took a breath. “I’ve found evidence that links La Lama to the Prizrak.”

“Are you saying the Prizrak, and La Lama are connected?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“Bullshit. There’s no way. We’ve got plenty of proof showing they’ve been in different places when La Lama strikes.”

I said my next words carefully. If they were going to believe my lie, I had to make it sound good. “I found something that shows Dmitri controls the man we know as La Lama, and that isn’t Vincenzo Anastasi.”

“Jesus Christ. This means this investigation could be dead in the water.”

“Not necessarily. I think I can convince the Anastasi’s into helping us bring in the Prizrak, ending Dmitri Ivanov’s reign for good.”

“You think the Anastasi’s will work with the FBI? Are you delusional? They’re the most powerful crime family in Vegas. Why in the hell would they work on the right side of the law?” His mocking laugh grated on my nerves.

“Just trust me. Let me feel them out. Maybe I could get them to lead us to him without even realizing they are.”

“Maybe. The bug hasn’t given us anything to implicate them in the last month. Fine. I’ll get Pritz to give you two weeks to work at this angle. Otherwise, we’re both out of jobs.”

I disconnected the call and stared out across Vincenzo’s backyard. I’d been spending most of my time with him here. The sneaking around was hard but being away from him was torture.

Vincenzo wrapped his arms around my waist. “Did he buy it?”

“I think so.” I leaned into him and sighed.

Vincenzo’s phone rang, causing him to pull away. “What?” he barked at the caller. “When? We’re on our way.” He shoved it into his pocket and turned to me. His alarmed expression had my hackles raising. “We need to go to the club.”

“Has something happened?” I watched for some kind of insight into his sudden mood change.

“A package has been delivered for you.”

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