Page 31 of Dark Desire

She was staring out into the sky, looking as lost as I felt. I was worried about her, but knew I had to handle this delicately. If her partners got wind of this incident, the FBI would beat down our front door, and we didn’t need that—not when we were so close to ending this mess.

“We will be home soon.” I pulled her hand into mine, not knowing how else to help her.

I wanted to erase all of her pain because I knew the chance of her falling into the darkness was high. Getting out was nearly impossible. I’d been there myself and I was still searching for the light.

Madison was waiting in the driveway when we pulled in. She gave me a sympathetic smile as she opened Riley's door. "Come on. Let's get you inside."

"Let me help." I pushed Madison aside and scooped Riley into my arms.

I carried her inside and set her down on the couch. She'd reverted back to not talking. "I don't know how to help her." I glanced back at Madison, who was watching me.

"You can't." She stepped forward and press her hand against my shoulder. "When you watch someone you love ripped from your life so violently, time is the only thing that numbs the pain." My eyes found hers glistening with tears. "When I watched my mother brutally murdered in front of me, I thought I'd never heal."

I glanced at her. "But you did—heal, right?"

"Yes… because of Massimo. His love kept me from closing myself off to love and risk again. All you can do is love her Vin. And you do, don't you?"

I brushed Riley's loose hair from her face and cupped her cheek. "With everything I am."

"Then just love her. And in time… she'll heal too."

Nineteen

Vincenzo

I hurdle my empty drink against the wall, the glass shattering into a thousand tiny shards.

“Where is this motherfucker hiding?”

“Calm down, Vin. We know he’s here in Vegas. Donny has a team of guys on it, not to mention Miguel’s men are helping. We’ll flush him out. I promise.” Massimo tried to calm my nerves. But rage coursed through my veins, like burning hot embers.

We had convinced everyone Riley’s mother had died in a tragic car accident. It seemed, for now, the FBI believed us. It was difficult for me to stay away from her, but she insisted it would blow her cover. A persona I already knew was fake. Riley had returned to her apartment the day after her mother's funeral, saying she needed some time and space. But it had been four weeks since I last saw her. I'd become a raging bull in a China shop, and everyone steered clear of me. I watched as Antonio spoke on his phone.

“We got to go.” He smiled and shoved it in his pocket. “That was Donny. They have one of Dmitri’s men at the club.”

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this motherfucker. “Let’s go see what we can get out of this asshole, Donny has.”

I was tired of searching for Dmitri and wanted to end this once and for all. If we found Dmitri, then maybe the Feds would lay off my brothers and me. Then perhaps Riley and I could have a real chance—if that was possible. At the rate we were going, I would end up in prison or she would end up arrested for hindering an investigation. Either way, our road was coming to some sort of end. I only hoped it could be the ending we wanted.

Massimo pulled into the alley and parked. We hurried down to the basement where Donny was waiting.

Antonio sauntered over toward a man tied to a chair. “Whatcha got, Donny?”

“This is Igor. He’s one of Dmitri’s guys.”

I cocked an eyebrow at Donny and smirked. “Has he told you anything yet?”

“Nah. Not a word.”

I slipped the blade I kept inside my boot out and turned it over in my hand. “That’s a shame. I was really hoping I wouldn’t get my hands dirty tonight.”

The man’s thick Russian accent made him sound even more venomous than he was.

“Fuck you.”

I gripped his chin, forcing his head back. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Vincenzo Anastasi, but tonight, you can call me La Lama.” He sucked in a breath and mumbled something unintelligible. “I see the realization dawning in your eyes. You’re afraid. You know what lies ahead for you, and it terrifies you. But you should be afraid. I'll do anything and everything to find The Prizrak—even slicing you into tiny pieces. The question is… are you willing to die for him?”

“Kill me and you will still know nothing of the Prizrak. Dying for him would be an honor,” He grunted out as my finger dug into his flesh.

---