Page 73 of Her Darkest Possession

"Fuck you." He spits as a pair of cops help him up. "Fuck you both. Officers, arrest this man! You all saw him assault me just now!"

In contrast, Anatoly stands perfectly still.

The police are shouting now, guns drawn, the situation spiraling out of control.

"Step back! Hands where we can see them!"

Anatoly complies, and then turns to face me. There's no regret in his eyes, only the calm certainty of a man who would do it all again in a heartbeat.

"It's alright,printsessa," he says softly.

My heart hammers against my ribs as he slowly turns back to the police and extends his wrists, holding his arms out calmly in front of him.

"Go ahead," he tells them. "I won't resist."

The officers approach cautiously, one keeping his gun trained on Anatoly while another produces handcuffs. The metal clicks around his wrists, and something inside me breaks open.

"I'm coming with you," I blurt out, stepping forward.

Anatoly shakes his head firmly. "Go to the car. Call Roma. Go home, and wait for me to come back."

"But—"

"I'll be fine, Indigo." His voice is gentle but leaves no room for argument. "Trust me."

With that, the cops lead Anatoly toward a patrol car, his head held high despite the handcuffs. Even now, with cuffs around his hands, he radiates power as surely as the sun radiates heat.

Just before they push him inside, he turns to look at me.

"I'm sorry,printsessa," he calls out, his voice carrying across the street. "I know this isn't what you had in mind for Thanksgiving."

I watch as they close the door, tears burning in my eyes. Sorry? For what? For defending me? For showing Ryan exactly what happens when he crosses a line that heknowsexists?

No. Anatoly has nothing to apologize for.

21

ANATOLY

The iron barsslide open with a metallic clang that echoes through the holding area. My lawyer, Daniel Kaufman, stands on the other side with his immaculate suit and perpetual frown.

"All taken care of, Mr. Baryshev," he says, checking his watch. "The assault charges have been temporarily set aside pending further investigation. But I'm sure once we sit down with his legal team, Mr. Bennet will be amenable to a settlement out of court."

I step through without saying a word. Daniel knows better than to expect gratitude. He's paid extremely well to make my problems disappear, and he has yet to fail me.

In the hallway, I spot Marcus sitting on a bench, still in handcuffs with an officer beside him. When our eyes meet, I see neither resignation nor fear in them.

He knows how this game is played as well as I do.

"Give us a minute," I tell Daniel.

I sit down next to Marcus and ignore a nearby officer's annoyed glance. "You'll be out soon. I'll have my lawyer work on securing your bail as well."

Marcus nods slowly. "It's you he wants. I'm just collateral damage. They have no proof for any of the charges they're throwing my way."

"Which are?"

"Money laundering, drug smuggling, racketeering." He tilts his head as he lists every potential charge, and then adds with a wry smile on his face. "Celebrating Thanksgiving while black."