Page 30 of Dark Desire

“We suspect he knows she’s working with us to frame him. I don’t understand how he found out who she really was or that—” his voice caught in his throat.

Even though Massimo was suspicious of her, family meant everything to us. Dmitri had attacked her in the most personal way. He had taken away her past in a bold and calculated method. A calling card that would leave scars for life. Even if we brought him down, this might be enough to send her away from me for good.

"Jesus Christ, Donny. Get that out of here."

"Riley." Vincenzo I cupped her cheek. "Baby, can you hear me?"

"I think she's in shock." Antonio squatted beside me. "Should I call Catarina?"

I brushed my thumb across her lip. "No. I'll take her home. I shouldn’t have let her open that fucking package. We knew it was from him. Ivanov is known for his brutality, Antonio. But I never thought… fuck."

"I'll make some calls." She blinked and her eyes glazed over as the door slammed shut.

"I'm so fucking sorry, Riley. I swear to you—I will stop at nothing to find him and make him pay."

"No." Her voice cracked. "Not pay. Dead." She blinked again, finding my eyes on her. "I want him dead."

"Anything for you, Tesoro… anything." I whispered in her ear, pressing my lips to her flesh. Her body shuddered, the sobs ricocheting through my core. The sound was mournful and tragic, like a soul fracturing into a thousand tiny pieces. I wanted to break the man responsible for the pain she was feeling. If… no… not if, when I got my hands on him, it would feel like a thousand deaths were bestowed on him. I brushed the hair from her face. The strands had stuck to her flushed skin. Her eyes held an emptiness that I couldn’t explain—an emptiness that I desperately wanted to take away. “I’m so sorry. I promise you he will pay.”

“Why?” Her voice broke. “She wasn’t part of this.”

“It’s his way. Dmitri hits where it hurts. “

“How did he find her? I haven’t talked—” she sucked in a breath, her words cutting off as the tears fell again.

“He has a way of finding out things, Riley. It’s why he has avoided us for so long.”

“Someone must have told him. The only people who know about my past are you and the FBI. This doesn’t make sense.” Riley stood. “Someone is working for Dmitri, and I will find out who.” She started toward the door, but I reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Slow down. Massimo and the others are taking care of this. You need to take a breath.”

“No,” she gritted out between clenched teeth. “You need to let me go. Please.” Her voice fell and her body shook.

I spun her around and pressed her against my chest. My fingers wound through her hair as I tilted her head back. “You will listen to me, Tesoro. Do you understand?” I knew I was taking a risk exerting my dominant side on her, but if I could get her into the submissive role, she wouldn’t do something dumb. “You will do as I please. Say you understand.”

The beautiful green of her eyes cleared as her pupils dilated. I watched in fascination as my command washed over her, sending her into a place of confusing bliss.

“I…” her voice trailed to a whisper.

“You what?”

“Yes, Sir.” She blinked, allowing my voice to wash over her.

“I know you want vengeance, as do I. But you will not do something that will put you in further harm’s way. Let my brothers deal with this for now. I am taking you back home.”

Her body became languid, allowing me to pick her up and control her. I hated to be a dick, but I could see the fire in her eyes. She was allowing the anger and adrenaline to drive her right now. I couldn’t let her walk out and do something stupid. Donny helped me get her in the car and buckle her up.

“We have several men on it, Vin. He won’t get away with this.”

I cocked my head at him. “Does she have any other family we need to notify?”

“No. It looks like Riley was it for her, even though they haven’t spoken in several years.”

“Fine. Please let me know when arrangements have been made.”

“I’ll take care of it. Massimo said Madison will meet you there. He thinks another woman may help her.”

“Yes. Tell him I’ll call him later.” I slipped into the driver's seat and looked her over.

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