Page 20 of His Darkest Obsession

The foyer is an insane mixture of marble, mahogany, and crystal. A massive chandelier hangs from the entrance, casting glimmering lights in intricate patterns all over the place.

But what draws my eye are the men positioned at every corner, guns visible beneath tailored jackets. A maid hurries past with fresh linens. A butler carries a silver tray of drinks.

And every one of them bow meekly at Anatoly when he walks through like a king.

It's like some twisted version of Downton Abbey where everyone's packing heat.

This can't be happening.

But it is. Just like two years ago.

Once again, I'm trapped in a world controlled by powerful men who see me as nothing but a toy for them to play with. A pawn in their game.

Focus, Indigo. You’re going to find a way out.

But there's no way out. Not unless I can miraculously fight my way through what seems like dozens of armed guards, and somehow swim all the way back to the Bronx from here without drowning.

"This way." Anatoly's voice cuts through my thoughts as he steers me toward a grand staircase.

I dig my heels in. "I need to get back to my sister."

"Your sister will be safer with you here."

"I’m not safe with you." My voice cracks. "She needs me."

His face softens for a fraction of a second before his mask slips back into place. "What she needs is you alive. Don't make me ask again."

I want to tell him that he has no idea what Amara needs. But he has a point. Amara needs me alive. I’m the only person left inherlife. But what good is being alive if I’m locked away in Anatoly’s gilded cage?

I have to find a way out of here.

Finally, we reach the top of the stairs and turn down a hallway lined with oil paintings in heavy frames. More armed men stand at attention, and their eyes follow our progress.

I notice one of them looking at me longer than I’d like, and then his eyes start moving down before a tiny, almost silent chuckle falls from his lips.

Anatoly stops so suddenly that I almost crash into him.

Without warning, he punches the man who was leering at me. The man stumbles backwards and Anatoly seizes him by the throat. More guttural words that I can’t understand pours out of his lips, and the man stammers what could only be an apology.

But it must’ve not been enough, because Anatoly delivers a swift and brutal kick to the man’s chest, and barks out a string of words. The man coughs up a mouthful of blood. When he slowly gets back on his feet, he turns his face upwards and stares straight ahead at the part of the ceiling like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.

The other guards do the same.

“What the hell was that for?” I ask Anatoly as we continue walking down the hall.

“He’s not allowed to look at you,” Anatoly replies coldly. “None of them are.”

“Or else what, you’ll kill them?” The moment the words leave my mouth, I realize that I probably shouldn’t have said that.

Anatoly’s eyes drill into mine.

And the corner of his lips tugs up just enough for a second.

What the actual fuck!

Then, he pulls out a key, unlocks an ornate door, and push it open.

My jaw drops.