Page 79 of His Darkest Obsession

Svetlana's expression softens slightly as she reaches out. Her hand rest against my shoulders against my arm in a gentle gesture that says more than any words ever can.

"You survived whatever it is that made you want to erase your old self, Indigo Malcolmovna. That’s why I told you you’re stronger than you think."

“Svetlana?”

“Yes?”

“You can call me Miels,” I say softly. “If you’d like.”

She smiles at me as she stands up. “In private, perhaps. But in public, when you stand as my brother’s wife, you will always be Indigo Malcolmovna.”

Now it’s my turn to smile. For the first time since I’ve arrived at this place, that name starts to feel like it’s me.

“But for now,” Svetlana says as she walks to the door. “Good night, Miels.”

When she opens it, I see Anatoly standing there, hand raised as if he’s about to knock.

27

INDIGO

The last timeAnatoly stood in that door way a week ago, he’d walked in like he owned everything in the world, me included.

He staked his ownership in the best possible way. Left my skin sizzling with his eyes and hands and mouth. Made me sit here alone with a head full of conflicting thoughts, and an empty pulsing ache between my legs thatwanted.

Back then, it’s easier to see him as nothing but a monster. But now, I’ve caught two glimpses of the man underneath.

The first was after he draped his jacket around me on the staircase. Once he did that, I found it hard to continue wanting to defy him.

The second was after both of us came apart in each other’s hands in the study. And as we sat there panting in the heady afterglow of what we did, I knew that I neverwantedto defy him.

And when Svetlana walks past him to leave the two of us alone, I have the distinct feeling that he’s about to give me this third glimpse.

I have the funny feeling that once I see this third glimpse, I won’t ever want to defy him again.

"I have something for you."

Anatoly's words cut through the tension between us as he approaches. Instead of backing away, I stand up and walk towards him. There’s a dangerous glint in his eyes. But it’s not for me.

"What is it?"

"Roma found the cops who arrested your father, and I have them somewhere secure for you to verify."

My heart stops. Air rushes from my lungs. It’s as if the entire world suddenly slowed down, and I can’t help but reach out and place my hand against him to brace myself. The moment I touch him, he pulls in a sharp inhale to fill his lungs with the air that left mine.

"Where?" My voice is strained and distant, like it belongs to someone else.

"A butcher shop basement in Staten Island." Anatoly wraps his large hands around mine and warmth surges through up my arm until it penetrates all the way into my heart. "We can go pay them a visit now if you want.”

I know what he’s really telling me. Ishouldfeel horrified at the unspoken implications. But I don’t. Instead, all I feel is a dark satisfaction unfurling inside me.

"Yes." I whisper.

"Are you sure,britvochka?" Anatoly's voice turns gentle as his hand gives mine a squeeze. “Once you do this, there’s no turning back.”

I press my palm deeper into the hard ridges of his body, feeling the heat blanket me from above and below. He’s still trying to save my soul. But what if I don’t want my soul to be saved? What if I want to indulge in this dark fantasy that I’ve harbored for two years?

"I’m sure." I look up at him. "I want to watch them die."