Chapter 23: Dark Obsession: Chapter 23

I wake up early, the first pale light of dawn just starting to filter through the curtains. The room is quiet, save for the soft rhythm of Elena’s breathing beside me. I turn my head, watching her sleep, her face peaceful in the dim light.

She’s so goddamn beautiful, so perfect.

A part of me aches knowing what I’m about to do. I don’t want to leave her. I told her I wouldn’t. But I have to. If I don’t take out Molina, this will never end. She’ll never be safe.

I reach over, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She stirs slightly but doesn’t wake. Leaning down, I press my lips gently against her forehead, savoring the moment, the way her skin feels soft beneath my touch. I pull the covers up around her shoulders, making sure she’s warm before I slip out of bed.

I get dressed quickly, pulling on my clothes with as much stealth as I can muster. Each sound feels too loud, like a betrayal in the quiet of the room. I take one last look at her—God, I don’t want to leave her—before slipping out the door, closing it softly behind me.

I make my way down the stairs, my footsteps barely making a sound against the hardwood floors, the gravity of what I’m about to do heavy in my chest. The mansion is still but just as I’m about to reach the front door, I hear a voice behind me.

‘Grigori.’

I stop, turning to see Luk standing in the doorway of the den, a cup of coffee in his hand. His face is hard, unreadable. Behind him, Lev is seated on the edge of a chair, his gaze just as intense. They both look like they’ve been waiting for me.

I know immediately what this is about.

‘We need to talk,’ Luk says.

I walk into the den, my jaw clenched. The last thing I want is to deal with this right now, but I can see it in their eyes.

They know.

‘You thought we wouldn’t find out?’ Luk begins, his tone bitter. “You thought you could just sneak around with our sister, and no one would notice?”

Lev leans back in his chair, his eyes cold. “You’ve been keeping this affair a secret from us, Grigori. After everything we’ve been through, you didn’t think you could come to us about this?”

I feel my chest tighten. I knew this was coming, but it still feels like a punch to the gut. They’ve always been protective of Elena, and this isn’t just anger they’re feeling. It’s also betrayal. And it stings.

‘I didn’t want to make it anyone’s business,’ I say, my voice low. ‘I care about her. I would never hurt her.’

‘That’s not the point,’ Luk snaps, slamming his coffee mug down on the table, the warm liquid splashing over. ‘You think this is just about you? About whether or not you’d hurt her? She’s our sister. You think we’re just going to sit back while you sneak around with her, dragging her into God-knows-what mess you’ve got going on?”

‘Do you have any idea what you’ve done to her reputation?’ Lev asks.

My heart clenches. I hadn’t even thought about that. I look away, shame creeping in.

‘Is that what this is about? Her reputation?’

Luk steps forward, hard lines etched in his expression. “It’s about family, Grigori. We trusted you with her, and you went behind our backs. You disrespected her.”

“Disrespected?” The word makes my blood boil. “I’ve put my life on the line for Elena, for all of you. I’d die for her, for this family.”

Lev shakes his head, standing up slowly. “This isn’t about your loyalty to the Bratva. It’s about how you went about this. You should’ve come to us first. This isn’t just some fling. This is Elena we’re talking about.”

I grit my teeth, frustration burning in my chest. “I didn’t come to you because I didn’t want to drag her into this shit with the cartel. I’ve been trying to protect her.”

“And look where that’s gotten us,” Luk says sarcastically. “She’s in danger because of you.”

I clench my fists, their words settling on me like a lead blanket. I can’t deny that they’re right. The danger, the lies… it all feels too heavy. Without another word, I turn on my heel and leave the den, anger and shame twisting in my gut.

I make my way to the front of the mansion, my steps heavy, my mind racing. The guards outside straighten up as they see me coming. I wave them off before they can even think about following me.

“Stay put,” I growl. “I don’t need company.”

They nod, clearly understanding that now’s not the time to test me. I slide into my car, slamming the door shut. The sun’s starting to rise, casting a soft glow over the city, but all I can feel is the rage brewing inside.

I pull out my phone and dial Barnes. The line rings twice before he picks up, his voice groggy.

“Barnes.”

“Get me Sanchez’s last known location,” I say, not bothering with pleasantries.

Barnes grumbles, clearly not thrilled about the early morning call. “Grigori, it’s six in the goddamn morning—”

“I don’t care what time it is. Where was he last?”

There’s a pause. “New York City,” Barnes finally says. “He’s laying low there.”

“Good. From now on, you report all movement on Sanchez directly to me. No one else.”

Barnes sighs. “Yeah, yeah, got it.”

Without another word, I hang up and start the engine. It’s time to end this.

I head straight for the airport, my thoughts a messy combination of Elena’s face and the dangers waiting for me in New York. As I pull into the parking lot, I feel a familiar weight on my chest, like a ticking time bomb. Time’s running out, and the only way to keep Elena safe is by eliminating Molina, once and for all.

I park, grab my bag, and make my way inside. The lines are short this early, and it doesn’t take long to buy a one-way ticket for the next flight to New York. One-way because I don’t know when—or if—I’ll be coming back.

The plane takes off, the city fading into the distance as we ascend. I lean back in my seat in an attempt to relax but my mind refuses to rest. I keep seeing Elena, remembering the way her voice sounded when she begged me not to leave.

I knew I was lying when I told her I wouldn’t.

But it was necessary.

I clench my fists, frustration and anger swirling inside me. I have to keep her safe, no matter what. There’s a troubling feeling in my gut that I can’t shake that feels like a goodbye. Like this trip to New York might be the last time I ever see her.

I push the thought away, focusing on the task at hand. If I do my job right, Molina’s the one who won’t be coming back.