Page 39 of Dark Desire

“Good luck with that.” I stormed past my brother and into the house.

If we were leaving tonight, I needed to clean myself up. If Madison wouldn’t tell me what they were hiding, my only option was to see Riley. I wasn’t sure if I could keep myself from confessing when I saw her, and that scared me. If I told them I was the one who stabbed him, then we would both go to jail. I was torn about what to do. Somehow, Riley had broken through my blackened heart and breathed life back into it. Falling in love with her had been unexpected.

Even after I found out who she really was, I couldn’t stop the way I felt. She'd become mine. Riley was the air I breathed—my very reason for existing. She was the reason I had not yet given into the darkness that threatened to take me. Her loyalty to me and my family spoke volumes. One thing was certain… I wouldn’t stop until she was free. I didn’t care what I had to do—even if it meant getting my hands dirty again.

I stormed into the bathroom and braced my hands against the sink. Lost to a million thoughts running through my head, I hadn't heard my grandmother come in.

"Vincenzo." She held her head high. "Come. We talk."

Pushing off the porcelain edge, I stalked into the bedroom and sat down beside the one woman who could give me an ass chewing aside from my mother. "Nonna, I take you've heard of what I've done?"

She pressed her palm to my knee. "Look at me dolche bambino." Her sweet sentiment caused me to close my eyes in shame. I didn't deserve to be called sweet anything. "I've known for a long time what your role in the family was." Her Italian words washed over me. "It is part of who we are. I only hate it's caused you pain along the way. But if what Massimo tells me is true… this woman deserves to be by your side."

My head shot up to look at her. "What do you mean? You know what they're keeping from me, don't you?"

She nodded, "But it is her secret to tell Vincenzo. And when she does, how you respond will prove if this love is real or not. Women like Riley don't come around often. Massimo was lucky to find his heart—now it's your turn. But I warn you." She stood, pausing in front of me. "You are the only thing that can dismantle the future you're worthy of. Don't be a fool and let anger cloud your vision."

I stood and pulled her into my arms. "I love you, Nonna."

"And I you. Now," she pulled open the door. "Go get the girl."

Twenty-Four

Riley

The cell was cold and dank. To be honest, it smelled worse than anything I could have imagined—of course, my current predicament didn’t help. I couldn’t hold down the food they were trying to pass off as edible. I leaned my head against the foam pillow and closed my eyes, thankful my parent weren’t around to see me like this.

“Riley Lawson. You have a visitor.”

I sat up, the blood rushing to my head, causing a moment of dizziness. “A visitor?” I squeaked out.

The guard slid open the cell door. The metal creaking and slamming as he snatched it open. “Yes.” His face soured as I stood and started toward him.

“But my attorney wasn’t due back until tomorrow.”

“It’s not your attorney. Mr. Anastasi is here to see you.” He sneered in disgust as he grabbed my arm and tugged me into the hallway.

My heart began beating erratically inside my chest. “Oh.” Surely Vincenzo wasn’t stupid enough to risk coming here. The Feds still believed he had a role in what happened—they would watch his every move.

The guard placed the cuffs on my hands, and I followed him towards the tiny room. A chair was placed in front of a plexiglass window, and a tiny phone receiver hung next to it. The sight of it mocking me from the doorway. Taking a deep breath, I stepped behind the chair. Vincenzo was seated on the opposite side of the glass, his eyes boring into me. He picked up the phone on his side and pressed it to his face, his eyes never leaving mine. The guard removed the cuff as he sealed me inside, the locking mechanism causing me to jump. I lowered myself into the chair and lifted the receiver.

“Riley.” His deep voice ricocheted through my entire being, sending a chill through my veins. There was no way I could hide my emotions as I fought back the tears threatening to spill.

My voice cracked with emotion. “Vincenzo. Why are you here?”

“You know why, Riley. Why did you do this?”

My eyes cut to the guard, who was watching us with intent. Every word was being measured—recorded even. If he said something that gave off even the slightest hint, he knew what I had done. Everything I'd worked for would be lost.

“I had too. I couldn’t let him destroy any more people.”

Vincenzo rubbed his face and sighed. “What aren’t you telling me? Madison and Massimo won’t tell me what you're hiding.”

“What do you mean?”

“Riley.” His commanding tone sent shivers down my spine.

He knew—I don’t know how… but he did. And I knew once I breathed it into life, everything would change, but I couldn’t continue to carry this alone. Soon, everyone would know my secret and that's not how I wanted him to find out.

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