Page 42 of His Darkest Obsession (Baryshev Bratva #1)

ANATOLY

NDA?

The word catches my attention immediately as I stand in the doorway. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but I'm not going to pretend I didn't hear it either.

I was just getting started with Roma about my plans with Bennet when I saw Svetlana on the security cameras returning to the mansion with a girl. And no matter how much I trust her, I don't like the idea of more strangers here than necessary.

So, I put the conversation on pause to investigate, only to find out that this is no ordinary girl.

It's Indigo's sister, Amara.

And now, both sisters are staring at me, and I can see the way Indigo's body tenses like she's ready to throw herself between me and Amara if necessary.

"I simply wanted to meet our guest," I say to both of them.

But I can't stop thinking about those three fucking letters:

NDA.

Non-disclosure agreement.

Since when did a mayor need a fucking NDA for a summer intern? My mind turns to Amara's journal entries that I read the day after meeting Indigo, and that single line that has burned itself into my memory.

Miels is crying again.

Whatever is in that NDA must've been damaging enough for Bennet to order the death of her parents. Damaging enough for him to want her dead on the eve of this election. Damaging enough for him to call me over and over again after the gala.

But why should I care about what's in the content? I've already got what I wanted from Bennet. What's more, I've already decided on his fate as well.

And if that's all set in stone, then why the fuck am I still so curious about the specifics of what's in the NDA?

But as soon as I ask myself that question, I know the answer. It's because whatever is in the NDA is the source of the pain in Indigo's life, and I want to correct that hurt.

This protective instinct is foreign to me. I've spent my life removing threats instead of healing wounds.

But with Indigo... I want to do both.

I approach the two sisters slowly

"You must be Amara," I nod at the younger Taylor sister. Her eyes are the same hazel as Indigo's, but her hair is still its natural red.

Amara steps forward and places herself directly between me and Indigo. Her chin juts upward in defiance. Despite the fact that I tower over her, she doesn't flinch.

Instead, she glares at me with a ferocity that reminds me of her sister.

"I don't care if you're some Russian mafia boss." Her voice is tight with anger. "If I find out you've hurt my sister in any way, shape, or form, I will make you pay."

A surge of approval courses through me. This protective instinct runs strong in both Taylor sisters. They both possess a fierce sense of justice, of doing what's right regardless of the consequences.

This willingness to stand up against impossible odds to protect the ones they love is a rare quality in my world.

"Amara, don't—" Indigo reaches for her sister's arm, but Amara shrugs her off.

I maintain my cold demeanor, keeping my face expressionless as I look down at this teenager threatening a man who's killed more people than she's likely met in her entire life.

"You shouldn't make idle threats you can't back up, devushka," I tell her, my voice low and measured.

"Amara, please." Indigo sounds alarmed now, trying again to pull her sister back.

But Amara won't be restrained, and she shakes off Indigo's hand.

"She's been through enough," Amara snarls at me. "She doesn't need you dragging her into your bullshit."

I step closer, and still, Amara refuses to back down.

"My bullshit is the only reason your sister is still alive," I reply coldly. "People are trying to kill her."

Amara's eyes narrow. "People like you?"

It would've been easier if she'd slapped me instead.

Guilt gnaws at me because she's not wrong. I was one of those people sent to kill Indigo before I changed my mind. But there's no point telling her that. No purpose in admitting I was meant to be the monster who took her sister away forever.

"Yes, people like me."

I owe her that much honesty at least.

Amara's eyes widen slightly, surprised that I'd admit it. She opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off with a raised hand.

"Let me be very clear," I continue. "I am also the only person who can protect her from people like me."

"How?" Amara scoffs. "By forcing her to marry you?"

"By giving her the protection of my name." I correct her. "The moment she became a Baryshev, she gained an army that would die to keep her safe, which is more than what you can offer her."

"I thought I lost her," Amara says, her voice cracking slightly.

"But you haven't," I soften my tone. "Your sister is safe here. And so are you."

I look around the sitting room with its plush furniture and ornate decorations. This place that has been my prison for so long might finally start to feel like a home.

"You're welcome to stay in this mansion. Consider it your home now. My men will protect you both while we resolve this situation with Mayor Bennet."

Amara's jaw clenches and nothing can hide the flash of hatred that passes through her eyes at the mere mention of the mayor's name.

"Allow me to show you to a room," I continue.

As we stand to leave, Amara suddenly steps directly in front of me again. "You promise you haven't hurt her? And you promise you won't hurt her?"

"I promise."

Amara looks at me, as if she's evaluating my words and searching for lies. Her eyes narrow slightly, scanning my face for a lie.

I don't look away. I have nothing to hide, at least not about this. I haven't hurt Indigo. And I have no intention of doing so either.

After a few moments, she nods and accepts my answer.

"Fine," she says simply. But the weight behind the word tells me everything I need to know. There's no forgiveness or trust yet. It's far too early for that.

No, this is just a temporary ceasefire.

But I can deal with that.

I glance over at Indigo, and I can see the worry still etched on her face. She's caught between a sister she's sacrificed everything to protect and a husband she never wanted but now finds herself relying on.

"I'll show you to your room," I tell Amara, gesturing toward the grand staircase. "It's next to your sister's."

As we walk through the mansion, I notice how Amara takes in everything from the artwork to the armed guards and down to the opulence. She's cataloging exits, identifying potential weapons, and even assessing threats.

Smart girl.

In another life, she would have made an excellent soldier of the bratva.

"Was it your men who followed me?" Amara says suddenly as we climb the stairs.

It's not a question, but I answer anyway.

"No."

"Then who?"

"I don't know. But I can find out."

Amara processes this information silently. I can see the calculations running behind her eyes as she weighs my words to determine if I'm telling the truth.

"This way." I lead them both up the grand staircase.

When we reach the door to Amara's room, I turn to her again. "You have my permission to explore the mansion, but you will always be accompanied by a guard. You may choose one of your liking."

"I'll choose the woman who brought me here," she replies quickly. "What's her name again? Selana?"

A smile curves up on my lips.

"Svetlana," I correct her.

"Yeah, her." Amara nods. "If my sister trusts her enough to bring me here, then I trust her enough to keep an eye on me. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak with my sister."

"Of course."

"Alone."

Without another word, I give her a single nod of acknowledgment.

Past them at the end of the hallway, Svetlana leans against the wall with her arms crossed and that sardonic grin tugging on her lips as if she's enjoying a private joke.

I tilt my head slightly in the direction of Amara's room and she responds with a nod of her own before she makes her way over.

Sisters. I shake my head as I shoulder past Svetlana.

I turn and start descending the grand staircase. Roma is still waiting in my office.

I get the feeling that this new information about an NDA is another piece of the puzzle I've been trying to solve about Indigo.

I need to understand what haunts my wife.

Whatever Bennet did to my wife, whatever he's hiding behind legal documents and threats, I will find it. And when I do, I will make him pay for every scar on Indigo's body, for every tear she's shed, for every nightmare that keeps her awake.

The NDA might be the key to finally understand why Bennet wants her dead, why she changed her name, and why she carries so much fear and guilt.

And maybe, just maybe, it's the key to truly making her mine.

"What was that about?" Roma asks as soon as I walk back into my office.

"Indigo's sister Amara." I pour myself a drink as I sit down. " Indigo had Svetlana bring her here."

Roma sets down the folder he's holding. "And you're okay with that? Bringing another outsider into this mess?"

"She's not an outsider. She's my sister-in-law. And she was being followed."

"By who?"

"The list is long and it isn't about to get any shorter." I take a long swig of vodka, letting it burn down my throat. "Not after last night."

"Right, last night." Roma rubs his temples. "What the fuck happened, Tolya? Because right now, the Volkovs are mobilizing like they're preparing for war. And I've been getting nothing but frantic calls from both Mother and Vasya all morning, begging me to talk some sense into you."

I set my glass down harder than necessary.

"Lola and her brother cornered Indigo at the gala. Threatened her. Hurt her."

Roma curses under his breath.

"So I taught them some fucking manners." I say it simply, the decision already made.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Roma's voice rises, then drops to a harsh whisper.

"They touched my wife."

Roma rakes his hand through his hair. "This is starting to spiral out of control. And for what? A single woman?"

Something hot and dangerous flares in my chest. "She's not just 'a single woman.' She's my wife, Romochka!"