Page 41 of Dark Desire

“This changes everything. Didn’t you stop to think the judge would have sympathy and let you out on bond, for fuck's sake?” Vincenzo was seething mad. He paced the tiny room like a feral cat.

“No.”

“I’m calling the attorney as soon as I leave. He needs to know this additional information. God Damn it, Riley. You didn’t need to fix this on your own. I could have helped you.”

“Please don’t hate me.” The flood gates opened, and the tears fell like hot embers across my face.

He rushed to the glass and pressed his hand against the barrier again. “Hate you? I could never hate you. I hate myself, Riley. It’s my fault you’re sitting behind bars. Mine. Do you understand that? If I hadn’t gotten you into this fucking mess…” I watched as he fisted his hair and his eyelids scrunched closed as if to seal off the demons hiding behind his eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to fix this, Riley. I promise you.”

“Times up.”

The guard opened the door to my tiny visitation room and stepped toward me. I held my hands out for him to cuff me before walking back to my cell. “Please, Vincenzo. You have to know this was the only way.”

“I won’t accept that." He pinned me with a serious look. "But I will respect your wishes. But…” His eyes zeroed in on the shiny metal wrapped around my delicate skin, and he clenched his jaw. “I will get you out of here.”

“I love you.” I whispered the words into the room, knowing he likely couldn’t hear the muffled sentiment through the glass window.

To my shock, his eyes found mine, and I watched as he mouthed the words back to me before disappearing out the door.

“You're pregnant with that scum’s baby?” The guard grunted as he jerked me toward my cell.

“You know nothing of that man’s true character—only what you’ve been told. Mind your fucking business and loosen your grip or I will report you for inmate abuse.”

His fingers loosened from around my arm. “I don’t care what you think, Lady. That man is a criminal and should be behind bars, just like you.”

“Fuck you.” He shoved me inside my cell, causing me to fall to my knees.

“Watch your mouth inmate or I’ll have you thrown in confinement for your attitude.”

I watched as he slammed the bars shut, locking me in my coffin.

My palms pressed to the hard cement as I tried to push up. Overwhelmed by everything, I gave in to the emotions I had been fighting back and collapsed onto the hard ground. Feelings of loneliness and fear consumed me. What had I done?

If my attorney couldn’t get me off the charges, I would give birth to my baby in prison. I slid to my side and curled into a fetal position.

“I’m sorry.”

My voice echoed into the emptiness as I let myself cry for the things I'd lost.

Twenty-Five

Vincenzo

My ears filled with a rushing sound as the blood poured through my veins. Every nerve was firing on overdrive as the words she spoke sunk in.

Pregnant.

I was going to be a dad, and yet… the woman I loved and carrying my baby was locked up for my sins. I had just slipped my phone from my pocket to call our family attorney when I heard my name.

“Mr. Anastasi.”

Glancing up from the device, I took in the man standing in front of me. From the looks of his cheap suit and two-dollar haircut, I guessed he was an agent. “What?”

Taking a step toward me, he thrust his hand out. “I’m Agent Mitchell. Jackson’s new partner. Mind if we chat a moment?”

I should have known someone would call the Feds and tell them I was here. “Yes, I mind. What is there to talk about?”

“How about the fact your known rival was found dead at your restaurant and that woman in there is taking the fall?”

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