Page 48 of Dark Desire

“I hope he knows what he’s doing.” I set the glass down on the desk and headed toward the door. “I’m going home with my wife. I just wanted to tell you my news.”

“Congratulations, Vin.”

I found Riley and Madison engrossed in conversations about our impromptu nuptials and smiled. "I hate to interrupt, but I'd like to take my wife home."

Once we managed to get away, I rushed us home. I scooped Riley into my arms, making her squeal. "Vin. Put me down."

"Absolutely not. I'm carrying you over the threshold." Riley giggled as I pushed open the door. As soon as I stepped through the entryway, her stomach let off the most obnoxious sound. "What the—" I glanced down at the swell of my babies.

"Oh my God." She covered her face. "I'm sorry…"

I set her on her feet. "You hungry baby?" She bit her lip and nodded. "Shit. I should have stopped and grabbed something. How about I leave you here with Anders and I run to the restaurant and grab something to celebrate our Elvis wedding?"

"Can't you send Anders, and you stay with me?"

"I sent Ander's home." I smiled. "I promise it won't take long. I'm going to lock up. Promise me you won't open the door for anyone. In fact, go take a bath or a nap—when I get home, we'll celebrate properly."

Leaving my new bride was nearly impossible, but I drove like the dickens and found myself at Bellissimo in no time. I hurried inside, heading straight to the kitchen. The place wasn't very busy, and I was able to get in the back without being stopped.

After explaining what I needed, Kevin, one of the line cooks, packed up two meals to go. I grabbed the containers and smiled. "Thanks, Kevin. Let everyone know the both of us will be unavailable for a few days. I'm leaving you in charge."

Once I was certain I had everything, I turned on my heel and headed out the back door.

I pulled the door shut and headed toward my car. Lost in thought, I didn’t see the shadow stalking up behind me. Strong hands wrapped around my neck, jerking me back.

“You should have walked away.” The thick Russian accent had me stiffening beneath my assailant’s hands. “This is for Donat. Dmitri said your pretty little lady is next.”

The tip of something sharp pressed into my neck. Hot, searing pain ripped through my body as he jerked the blade from my flesh. The food I'd been holding fell from my hands and the contents scattered across the ground as I reached up and clawed at my throat. Warmth from the blood seeped out of the wound, trickling down my body and between my fingers.

The Russian released me, letting my body drop to the ground. His boot dug into my ribs as he gave me one last kick before leaving me to bleed out on the pavement only a few feet from the back door of my restaurant. My vision swam as my eyes fought to stay open. Pressing my palm against the gash in my skin, I used all the strength left in me to push myself to my feet. I couldn’t leave Riley like this. I wasn’t ready. Stumbling my way inside, I lost my balance and fell to the floor.

“Help me.”

I tried to rasp out, begging for anyone to hear me. Blood littered the hallway, pooling beneath my body as I laid there, dying. I could feel my body giving out on me as the world closed in around me. How had I, the mighty La Lama, fallen so easily?

Once a formidable man, the world feared, reduced to a bloody heap. My brain conjured up images of Riley. Flashing our life through my mind like a movie projector.

Had I told her I loved her enough?

Would she know how much my heart was filled with her?

“Shit! Vincenzo,” the faint voice of someone whispered inside my mind. I didn’t know if it was real or not. Maybe the visions of my life had conjured up the sound of him. I forced out the words. Hoping they would be heard. Riley needed to know how sorry I was to leave her like this.

“Tell…” I struggled to speak. My eyes refusing to open. “Riley I’m sorry.”

Twenty-Eight

Riley

I took a quick bath, my mind set on surprising Vincenzo when he returned. I pulled on his button-down shirt and hurried back downstairs. He'd been gone a little over an hour, so I expected him home any minute.

“Massimo?” I blinked, coming to a stop when I found him standing in my kitchen.

His voice cracked with emotion as he reached out toward me. “Riley.”

“What is it?” My heart raced as I watched Massimo shift on his feet. "Why are you here? Vin ran to the restaurant to grab dinner."

“Something’s happened. Vincenzo was attacked.”

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