"I don't know if it's that simple, though. Going back to school means being out in public, exposed. After everything with Lola, the Volkovs, and even Ryan..." I trail off. "And then there's the baby. There are people who want to hurt us. Who'd use any opportunity."
"So bring have bodyguards," Amara shrugs like it's the most obvious solution in the world. "Svetlana could go with you."
"Can you imagine Svetlana sitting through a literature lecture?" I ask with a small laugh.
"I think she'd enjoy it more than you think," Amara replies.
I sigh, leaning back against the window. "Maybe. I just... it's hard sometimes imagining have that kind of normal life anymore. Not with everything that's happened."
"And why shouldn't you be able to have a normal kind of life just because you married me?"
I startle at the sound of Anatoly's voice, nearly slipping off the window seat. He's standing in the doorway, one shoulder leanedagainst the frame, watching us with an unreadable expression. My face flushes hot with embarrassment. How long has he been there? Did he hear everything?
"I—I didn't see you there," I stammer.
Amara glances between us, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "And that's my cue to leave," she says, gathering her essay pages. She stands, pausing to squeeze my shoulder. "Think about what I said, okay?"
As she passes Anatoly, she gives him a small nod which he returns with surprising warmth. Something's changed between them since he rescued her from Grisha and Killian. There's a tentative respect growing there that makes my heart feel full.
After Amara disappears down the hallway, Anatoly steps into the room, crossing to where I sit. He offers his hand to me, palm up—a question, not a demand.
I slip my hand into his, feeling the familiar calluses against my skin. "How much did you hear?" I ask, unable to meet his eyes.
"I heard enough," he says simply. His thumb traces small circles on the back of my hand. "And I agree with your sister."
I look up at him then, surprised. "You do?"
"Of course I do?" His brow furrows slightly. "In fact, this is exactly why I came looking for you. I want to show you something."
"What is it?" I ask, allowing him to pull me gently to my feet.
"Something ordinary." Anatoly's lips curve into that half-smile that still makes my heart skip. "A surprise."
"Ordinary and a surprise?" I echo, intrigued despite myself. "Since when do you do either?"
"I'm trying something new," he says, his blue eyes warm as they meet mine. "For you."
19
INDIGO
Anatoly leadsme outside to the black SUV waiting in the driveway. He opens the passenger door for me, something that still surprises me even after all this time. The pakhan of the Baryshev Bratva, opening my door like we're some normal couple on a date.
As we pull away from the mansion, I watch the grounds disappear through the window. There's a strange comfort in the silence between us—it doesn't feel empty anymore, just peaceful.
"Where are we going?" I finally ask, unable to contain my curiosity.
Anatoly's eyes stay fixed on the road, but his lips quirk up slightly. "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."
I roll my eyes but can't help smiling. "I think I'm done with surprises these days."
"You'll like this one," he promises, reaching over to squeeze my hand.
The car winds through familiar streets as we drive west towards the city. Trees give way to jungle, and I can't help myself tensing up as we pass by the same place where Lola and Grisha intercepted me.
As if sensing my discomfort, Anatoly reaches over and takes my hand in his.
"You'll be alright."
