Page 52 of Dark Desire

“He’s tied up right now.”

“The prosecutor?”

Massimo shared a glance with Donny. “You could say that.”

“Any word from Dmitri? Do we know if he did this to me?”

“We are pretty sure he did. The FBI found his calling card near the scene.”

“Great. Something else for them to use against us.”

“It’s alright. I think Jackson is on our side.”

“What makes you say that Massimo?” Vincenzo tried to sit up in the bed but collapsed when he realized it wasn't going to happen.

“Let’s just say he came into a lot of damning evidence on Dmitri. The kind that makes careers.”

“Let’s go. Leave Riley and Vin alone.” My father ushered everyone toward the door. “I am glad you are back, Son.” He leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to Vincenzo’s head.

“Glad you didn’t die.” Catarina waved from the door and dipped out into the hallway. Donny nodded and followed her.

“I thought you were gone, Vin.” I pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I don’t know if I would have survived without you.”

Vincenzo pulled me onto the bed with him and wrapped me in his arms. His palm rested on my abdomen as he leaned in and kissed me. “I would move heaven and earth to come back to you every time, Riley. Nothing will keep us apart again. If I have to hunt down Dmitri when I am out of here, that’s what I’ll do. He needs to be wiped from this earth.”

I snuggled in against him, careful not to tug out his IV’s. He was right—Dmitri Ivanov needed to be wiped from existence or he would continue to wreak havoc on all of us. If Vin didn’t kill him… I would gladly put a bullet in his head myself.

“Where are we on your trial?”

“It’s been postponed for a month.”

He pressed a kiss to my head. “Okay.”

“I hope the trial happens before these babies come. I don’t want to be in jail giving birth without you by my side.”

“You won’t. I have to believe my brother’s absence means he is making headway.” I snuggled into his hold, thankful to have him here with me.

“I hope so.”

“Have faith, Riley. Everything will come together as it’s supposed to.”

“Faith is the only thing that kept me sane.”

“I’m sorry, Tesoro. I broke my promise to never hurt you—but from this day forward, I swear to make your life one you deserve.”

“I don’t care about any of that as long as I have you.” I closed my eyes and listened to his heartbeat. The sound was full of promise and hope of a life we deserved to have. “I love you, Vincenzo.”

“E ti amo, Tesoro.” The warm sensation of his lips pressed against my forehead. “Today is the beginning of our forever.”

Epilogue

Antonio

Two Months ago.

“Are you alright?” Michael’s smooth voice cut through my thoughts.

“Yeah. Just reading over this file you gave me.” I thumbed through the papers, looking for something to use against Rachel. She hadn’t learned I was working in her house yet, but any day I would be found out and I needed something. “There has to be something here I can use.”

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