Page 122 of His Darkest Obsession

"I do."

"Then say them." He stands up. "Say them and prove to me that you are still the fucking pakhan."

"I care for no one but the bratva," I lie through gritted teeth as I repeat the hateful oath even man of the East Coast bratvas have said. "And I shall love none other than the bratva."

But that's not true, is it? Because in my heart, I care for no one but Indigo, and I will love none other than Indigo.

Roma steps back. He doesn't look convinced, but before he can say anything, the phone rings.

It's Bennet.

Part of me wants to ignore it and walk away from this entire fucking arrangement. But I know I can't.

I can feel Roma's eyes drilling into me. He's waiting to see what I'll do. If I hesitate now, it will only confirm his suspicion about where my priorities lie.

Hating myself, I answer and put the call on speaker.

"Congratulations," I tell him. "It seems that the people have spoken."

"Indeed they have."

Bennet's voice is as oily as ever and I can almost see his smug face through the phone.

"I wanted to assure you personally that I intend to honor our agreement to the letter," he continues. "You need but ask, and it will be done. As I said before, the police commissioner is a harder ask. But I'm sure I can grease a few palms and get city council to come around to it, especially with all the recent uptick in street violence for the past four weeks."

You slimy fuck.I knew he wasn't going to deliver on everything right away.

The man has more survival instinct than that.

You don't stay the mayor of New York for more than two terms if you offer up everything on the first day. And continuing to dangle the prospect of having one of my men be police commissioner is Bennet's way of reminding me that he still has cards to play.

Ineedto know the contents of that fucking NDA if I want to truly wrap a leash around his throat.

And then, I can finally turn that leash into a fucking noose.

I lean forward over the desk and hang my head, letting a few errant strands of hair falling over my eyes.

"I expected nothing less, Mr. Bennet."

My voice remains steady and calm out of duty to the bratva, but my heart rages at me to scream and threaten that slimy fuck out of my love for Indigo.

"And I must say." Bennet's voice slowly stretches out every syllable as if heknowsthat he's tormenting me with every word."None of this would have been possible without your assistance. We're going to do amazing things in this city, you and I."

Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!

"Perhaps we should meet in person soon?" Bennet continues. "I'd love to discuss the particulars of our new arrangement. And there's so much to be done."

"Pick a date, Mr. Bennet," I say through gritted teeth. “But first, I have a list of names that I want to pass along to you.”

I glance at Roma, and finally see his shoulders starting to relax.

I know that I passed my test in my brother's eyes. I've confirmed to him that I'm the pakhan our bratva needs.

But it comes at a cost that I'm not willing to fucking pay.

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INDIGO