Page 113 of His Darkest Obsession

Guilt gnaws at me because she's not wrong. Iwasone 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?"