Page 76 of Her Darkest Possession

Understanding dawns on Roma's face and his shoulders relax slightly. "What did you have in mind?"

I consider this carefully. It needs to be something that will make Ryan's blood run cold. Something that will make him understand exactly who he's dealing with and what I know.

"Send him a gift basket of white lilies. The exact kind that they use at funerals. A get well soon envelope." I pause, the corner of my mouth lifting. "With an invitation to a baby shower on the inside."

Roma tilts his head, confused. "A baby shower invitation?"

"Yes." I nod as the plan takes shape in my head. "Date it from two years ago, right around the time of Indigo's internship. Make sure the address for the baby shower is the mayor's office. And include a message: Grisha Volkov wishes you to join him in celebration. Gifts neither demanded nor asked. Your presence will be sufficient."

"Gifts neither demanded nor asked?" Roma cocks his head quizzically. "Why that?"

"What's the first letter ofneither demanded nor asked."

"N— D—" Roma stops short. Then, a dark smile spreads across Roma's face. "Oh fuck, that's good."

"Can you get it done?"

"I'll get it done before morning," he says. "Count on it. Now let’s go home."

He pulls away from the curb, and we head home through the uncharacteristically quiet streets of New York. Roma doesn't say much on the drive, but I can tell he's impressed.

It's not often that I choose subtlety over brute force.

As we drive, I imagine Ryan's face when he receives those funeral lilies in his hospital room. He'll be confused at first. But once he opens up that baby shower invitation and reads its contents, he'll understand.

That's when confusion will be replaced by horror.

And horror replaced by fear.

Because the moment the pieces fall together, he'll realize just how fucked he is.

He'll realize that he can't hide from me. Not in a hospital bed. Not behind police protection. Not anywhere in this city.

He'll realize that I know everything from the past that he and his father fought so hard to hide. That I know it was him who pushed Indigo into that internship. That I know what his father did during that summer, and what he did afterwards.

And most importantly, he’ll realize that his new friendship with the Volkovs won’t be able to save him.

An hour before midnight,Roma finally pulls up to the mansion and I step out. I notice that there is security everywhere, and every light is on.

Good. We shouldn't be taking chances tonight.

When I step through the front door, I find Indigo standing in the foyer wearing an oversized sweater. Her face still carries a worried expression, and her hair is slightly disheveled. But the moment she sees me, her shoulders drop with visible relief.

She rushes toward me, practically colliding with my chest as her arms wrap around me like she's afraid I might disappear if she lets go.

"I was so worried," she whispers against my shirt. "I thought... I thought you wouldn't be back tonight. That you might've gone to do something to Ryan."

I cradle the back of her head, breathing in the scent of her. After everything that happened today, just holding her steadies something inside me.

"I wouldn't do that to you again," I tell her, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I know better now."

She pulls back just enough to look at my face, searching for any signs of injury or distress. "And Marcus? Is he okay?"

"He's still in holding," I admit. "But he should be out soon. I offered him Kaufman's services to fight the charges, but the stubborn son of a bitch doesn't seem keen on taking it."

A small smile quirks at the corner of Indigo's mouth. "That sounds like Marcus."

"I'll make sure he gets representation anyway," I say firmly. "The best money can buy. Whether he wants it or not."