Page 112 of His Darkest Obsession

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 wantherdead 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.