Page 111 of His Darkest Obsession

This way, I'm not lying.

Not technically.

The truth sits heavy in my chest as I search for the right words. Amara's eyes are wide, waiting. I need to give her something real, even if it's not everything.

"Anatoly is... he's part of the Russian mafia," I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Well, more than just a part. He's the pakhan. The boss."

Amara's jaw drops. "Russian mafia? Like actual criminals?"

"Yes." I take her hands in mine. "And he married me to keep me safe."

"Safe," she repeats, testing the word. She leans forward, lowering her voice even though we're alone. "Safe from what? From who?"

I look at her pointedly. "You know who."

"Jesus, Miels." Her eyes search mine. "Why? I thought…" She looks around and then drops her voice to a whisper. "I thought that after Mom and Dad died, he wouldn't come after you anymore. What changed?"

"Election's coming up," I say bitterly. "And he doesn't want to lose. Wants to tie up all the loose ends. Me included."

"That bastard." Amara shakes her head. "And you're sure that Anatoly is keeping you safe from him? I mean, I've never heard of mafia guys doing something out of the goodness of their hearts. What does he want out of it?"

"In exchange for keeping me safe," I say. "He's using me to blackmail the mayor."

"Does he know everything that happened that summer?" Amara squeezes my hands.

I shake my head quickly. "Not everything. He only knows that I interned at Bennet's office. He knows about Mom and Dad. About those cops who killed them."

Another flash of memory floats to the forefront of my mind. Anatoly's fist connecting with flesh. The spray of blood. The sound of a gunshot. The way my body responded to the violence with a sick kind of satisfaction. How I'd thanked him afterward.

Amara can never know about that. Never know what I've become capable of.

"Does he know about the NDA? And does he?—"

Suddenly, she stops talking and sits up straight. Her eyes stare past me towards something standing in the doorway.

No. Not something.

Someone.

I turn around, and that's when I see Anatoly standing in the doorway.

How long has he been there?

And what has he heard?

36

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.