Page 9 of His Darkest Obsession

Bullets ping against metal somewhere to our left. Shattered glass rain down on us like tiny glimmering diamonds. The scent of his cologne fills my nose, cutting through the fear in my veins to calm me.

It shouldn't be making me dizzy right now. But it is.

Now it’s his turn to put the blade up against my throat.

“Count yourself lucky today," he says, as casually as if we're meeting at a coffee shop. “I’m not the only one who’s trying to kill you. Now be a good girl and tell me your name. Your full name.”

"Taylor," I reply, knowing that somehow, I’m alive becausehewants me alive more than he needs me dead. “Indigo Taylor.”

"Indigo Taylor," he says my name slowly, as if he's running his tongue over each syllable to see how it tastes. “A pleasure to meet you. I’m Anatoly Baryshev.”

Then, a knowing smile ghosts across his lips. He shifts slightly until his face is hovering inches from mine until those piercing blue eyes are the only things that I can see.

The space between us seems to dissolve away, and I can feel his powerful voice rumbling against my ribcage. An unexpected shiver rushes down my spine. Not entirely from fear. And not entirely unwelcome either.

"Say nothing to no one about what happened." He taps the dull backside of the razor against my chest with each word. "Understand?"

Unable to find my voice, all I can do is nod at him quickly.

Without another word, he’s back on his feet in one fluid motion.

My body feels suddenly cold without the weight of him over me.

"I'll be seeing you again."

Warmth flushes up my cheeks again, and I know I'm blushing in spite of the insanity of everything happening between us.

He glances back at me one final time, razor in one hand and gun in the other, before rushing through the door into the chaos outside.

3

INDIGO

Amara is sittingat the dining room table by the time I shoulder the door open and drop my bags by the door. A mountain of textbooks is spread around her like a paper fortress. One look at my face and she's on her feet.

"What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"The barbershop got shot up today." The words tumble out before I can soften them. "Right while I was closing up."

When the hottest man I’ve ever seen came in to talk to me about the mayor wanting me dead.

"Oh my god." She rushes over. "Are you okay? Did anyone get hurt?"

My throat closes up.

No, I'm not okay. I'm terrified. That man came tokillme. And it was only through the dumbest luck that I’m still alive.

But I can't tell her that. She’s gone through enough because of me.

"I'm fine." I force a smile. "Just rattled. And everyone else is fine too. Marcus stepped out a little while earlier before to help Mrs. Diaz move a few boxes."

“That’s good.” She studies my face. Her hazel eyes look so much like Mom's that it hurts. "You sure you’re okay?"

"Positive." I squeeze her shoulder. "Don't worry about me, kiddo."

"Well… if you say so." She nods, but the concern never leaves her voice.

"I do say so." I force a smile on my face, just for her. "How’s college application going?"