Page 37 of Dark Desire

“Riley.” Jackson’s voice called out, forcing me back to the present. “I need you to tell me what happened here. How is it Dmitri Ivanov was even here?”

“He came to kill Vincenzo. But he’s in Italy with his brothers.” His body was covered with a sheet, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him. “I was here, just closing up.”

“Okay… What happened?”

The lies rolled off my tongue. Bile rose in my gut, I leaned over and wretched, spilling the contents of my stomach on the street. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I closed my eyes and continued talking. “I heard a noise at the backdoor. I came outside to see what and was surprised to find Dmitri leaning against the brick wall. He was waiting for Vincenzo.”

“Did he threaten you?”

“No. He threatened Vincenzo. Said he was here to speak with my boss and demanded to know where he was.” The lie kept rolling off my tongue with such ease I didn't recognize myself. “I told him Italy—but he didn’t care. He was so full of rage and hate.”

“Why did you stab him, Riley?”

“I don’t know. I just saw red. This man was responsible for my pare… my dad’s death.” I caught myself before slipping up that he had been the reason my mother was dead. To the police and my team, my mom had died in a car accident. “I couldn’t let him continue. He tried to grab me. But…” I swallowed and pressed my eyes closed. This was the moment I wouldn’t be able to take back. I pressed my hand to my belly and took a breath. “I stabbed him. I killed Dmitri Ivanov.”

Jackson shook his head. His shoulders slumped as he reached out to grab my arm. “You know, this isn’t how I wanted things to happen.” He pulled out his handcuffs. “But I have to place you in custody and take your badge. At least until the investigation is over.” I knew I had to take the burden on myself. It was the only way to protect Vincenzo and the secret I was hiding. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

I looked down at my feet. The tears rolling down my cheeks. “I was involved with Vincenzo.”

Jackson stiffened. “What do you mean, involved?”

“Exactly as it sounds. I got in too deep, and we became… intimate.”

“Jesus Christ, Riley. Do you know what you've done?”

“Yes.” I could vividly hear the last nail being hammered into my coffin. “That’s why I’m telling you. It will come out and destroy any hope of making this disappear.”

“Fuck.” Jackson eased me into the back of his car and slammed the door.

I watched as he walked over to my superior. I could see him speaking, his body stiff with anger. Pritz’s eyes bored into mine with a look of disappointment and disgust. He shook his head and said something to Jackson, making him turn back to look at me. The shame both men held in their eyes for me stabbed me straight through my core. Both my parents were dead and gone. Vincenzo had to stay away to protect his family, leaving me truly alone. I was surprised when Madison burst through the back door. She was screaming at someone close to the dead body. I watched in amazement as she approached Jackson and Pritz. Her anger was palpable, even in the alleyway.

Jackson nodded and led her to the car. “You can have a minute with her. I’ll be here listening.”

“Riley.” Madison grabbed my hand. “When I said I would do anything for you, I didn’t mean this. What were you thinking?”

“I had to end this. Now,” I blinked away tears and turned my head to look out the opposite window. “Vincenzo can be free.”

“Free?” Madison scoffed and glanced briefly over her shoulder at the scene laid out before us. “Do you think he will be ok with this? He loves you, Riley. Despite the lies—he chose you, and what about—”

My head snapped to look at her and I cut off her words. “Don’t.”

“You’re being stupid. They’ll find out soon enough what you’re hiding. Then what? How do you think Vin will react?”

“I don’t know. I just need some time to get through this.”

Madison shook her head. “I hope you know what you’re doing. You could spend the rest of your life in jail, Riley.”

“That’s a chance I’ll take.”

“And what about?” She motioned her hand toward me.

“I know Vincenzo will be there when the time comes. Please. I have to do this. Don’t let him try to stop me, or we’ll both end up in jail.”

“Ma’am.” Jackson pressed his hand to the open door. “I’m afraid I have to take her to headquarters now. Are the Anastasi’s coming home?”

“They are wrapping up business in Italy and Vincenzo and my fiancé cannot get away. Antonio Anastasi will be back tomorrow.”

Jackson narrowed his eyes. “A murder occurred at Vincenzo’s restaurant, and he isn’t coming back?”

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