Page 136 of His Darkest Obsession

But one thing is for sure. We'll need to have an honest and frank discussion about our future.

About us.

When we step through the door, something immediately feels wrong. There's a thick tension in the air that I can detect. Instead of the usual flurry of staff scurrying to and fro, Roma stands in the main hallway, pacing back and forth like a caged animal.

When he sees us, his shoulders visibly relax, though his face remains tense.

"Where have you been?" he demands, looking between me and Svetlana.

"At a café," Svetlana answers. "Why?"

Roma rakes a hand through his hair. "None of you were answering your phones."

I touch my pocket and realize I had put my phone on silent. With everything happening, I completely forgot about it.

"What's going on?" Amara asks, her voice small beside me.

Roma's eyes dart to her, then back to me. He chews his lower lip, like he's not sure of what to say. My heartbeat starts beating faster and faster with every second of silence.

Something's definitely wrong.

"Where's Anatoly?" I ask, my mouth suddenly dry.

Roma looks at me, and that's when I see it. An unmistakable flash of worry. Then, he finally answers.

"He went to go do something stupid."

42

ANATOLY

We arriveat the mayor's office shortly after sunset.

Rage pulses through my veins, but where it burned hot and reckless earlier, now it's focused and cold.

The kind of rage that sharpens rather than blinds.

I glare up at the building and tighten my grip on the steering wheel as I look.

"Here?" Vassily grabs my arm. "There are cameras, guards, and witnesses! We should wait until he's alone somewhere."

Ordinarily, I would agree with him. The publicity of the location makes it risky.

But this is where it must be done.

Bennet dies in his office.

So, I shake Vassily's hand off me. "I made my fucking decision, Vasya. Are you in, or are you out?"

"I'm in, but I just think that?—"

"You're not here to fucking think," I snap. "You're here to create a distraction."

He sighs. "And how am I supposed to do that?"

"I don't care how. All I need is ten minutes with him alone on my word. No interruptions."

He looks at the building and rubs his chin. "Ten's not going to be easy, Tolya. Best I can do is five."