Page 40 of Dark Desire

“Before I tell you, promise me you won’t do anything stupid. Michael is confident we can win this… I just have to ride out my time here until the trial.”

“Michael?” Vincenzo pressed his elbows against the table.

“Michael Brighton. My attorney. He works for Don Giuliani, your family's legal counsel.”

He nodded, "I see.”

“No, Vin. I need to hear you say it. Promise me you’ll let him deal with this and you won’t do anything stupid.” I closed my eyes and sent a prayer to the heavens.

He forced out the words, “I promise.”

“This isn’t just about you or me anymore, Vin. I had to take care of Dmitri and get him out of our life forever. He just made it easy by threatening me.”

His eyebrow quirked at my lie, and I swear I saw a moment where he considered outing me right there. But he must have seen the desperation in my expression, because he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Then why are you sitting behind bars? And why tell them we were involved? If you hadn’t, you would be out right now.”

“I know, but eventually they would have found out we were together. I couldn’t lie about it. It was better I told them now because I wouldn't be able to hide it much longer.”

“After this was over, it wouldn’t matter.” He shook his head.

“There would be no way to hide our relationship before this case is over.”

He leaned forward, trying to get a better look at me. “I don’t understand.”

I pressed my hand to the glass. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I love you Vincenzo, remember that.”

He pressed his palm to the glass against mine. My heart stuttered when his voice cracked with desperation, and he dropped his head in defeat. “Just tell me, Riley. Please.”

“I had to tell them about us.” I swallowed down the vomit, threatening to force its way out. “Because hiding a baby will be nearly impossible in a few months.”

Vincenzo’s head snapped up, his eyes locking on mine. The shock in his eyes drew me in, trapping me there. I watched as a lone tear trickled down his cheek and spilled onto the Formica countertop. His palm pressed against the barrier as he leaned in closer, as though it would allow him to hear me more clearly. I kept my hand there, the cool plexiglass separating our touch, and squeezed my eyes closed.

“What did you say?” His voice was constricted as he searched my gaze for the truth.

I forced out the words through my throat that felt like I'd swallowed glass. “I’m pregnant.”

Everything came to a standstill at that moment. Vincenzo couldn’t turn away from me, both of us overwhelmed with emotion as our tear fell. I didn’t move or speak. My hand remained pressed against this through the barrier. It was as if I was trying to feel his skin beneath mine. I glanced over at the guard, who looked as shocked by my words as he was.

He breathed into the phone. “When?” His hand dropped to his side.

“When, what?” I curled my fingers in, clutching my hands in front of me.

“When did you know?”

Taking a deep breath, I forced out the truth. “A while now. It’s why I did what I did. I couldn’t risk losing you.”

“You’re pregnant with my child, Riley. Didn’t you think I should have a say in your fucking plan?” His hand slammed down on the table, making me jump.

“Vincenzo,” I hissed, glancing back at the uniformed man who'd taken a step toward us. “Please.”

I watched as he glanced over at the guard and clicked his teeth. He was pissed, and rightfully so. Had he known about the child I was carrying, he'd have never let me do this. He would have demanded I walk away and let him take care of Dmitri. But that would have put him here, and I’d be left raising our baby alone. At least this way, I had a chance at freedom. They would have figured out how to throw the book at him, no questions asked.

“Does anyone else know?”

I knew my answer would cause him pain. “Only Madison and your brother.”

“Why haven’t you told the attorney?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer him. Once I spoke the words out loud to someone—the FBI would know my secret. It wasn’t as though I was intentionally trying to hide it from them. I just wasn’t ready to deal with the shit storm that would follow. “I don’t know. I guess I was scared.”

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