Chapter 34: Dark Obsession: Chapter 34

The morning light filters through the blinds, casting soft lines across the bed as I lay back, deliciously spent and tangled in Grigori’s warmth. My body is still humming, a lazy, satisfied ache. I glance over at him, a smirk tugging at my lips as he stretches, looking way too pleased with himself.

“Well,” I tease, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face, “if last night’s performance is anything to go by, I’d say you’re definitely on the mend.”

His grin is slow, playful. “Oh, princess, there’s plenty more where that came from.”

I arch a brow, my stomach giving a little flutter. “I’m absolutely game. But maybe a little breakfast first?”

He lets out a low chuckle, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “Breakfast, huh? Let’s do it, you’ve got the right idea.” He winks.

I watch, fully transfixed, as he stands and walks toward the dresser. My eyes trail down the lines of his back, muscles shifting beneath the fading bruises and tattoos that tell their own stories. And then there’s his ass, sculpted and firm, perfect in the way that has my mouth watering and my pussy clenching all over again.

He grabs a pair of boxers and slides them on, followed by his jeans, taking his time with every movement. It’s like he knows I’m watching and he’s giving me a little show, the barest hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he zips up.

Then he reaches for a white T-shirt, pulling it over his head and down his chest, the fabric stretching perfectly over his shoulders and clinging to him in ways that should definitely be illegal this early in the morning.

I’m still staring when he turns and catches me, one brow raised. “Something I can help you with?” he asks, his voice low and amused.

“Just… got a little distracted,” I admit, letting my eyes linger just a moment longer.

He walks back over, leaning down to catch my mouth in a slow, lingering kiss. His hand finds the side of my neck, his thumb brushing just beneath my ear, and for a second, I’m tempted to pull him right back into bed, breakfast be damned.

He pulls back just enough to meet my gaze, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Better eat up, princess,” he says. “You’ll need the energy for what I’ve got planned for you next.”

I shiver, heat pooling low in my belly as his words settle over me. They’re enough to get my pulse racing. I bite my lip and get dressed. We’re about to head downstairs when I remember my phone.

“Wait,” I say, darting back to the little table by the window. The sunlight catches on it, warm and golden, spilling across the room. It’s such a nice change from all the dreary rain we’ve been having. I grab my phone and glance out the window, shaking my head with a wry smile. “It’s been raining so much; I was starting to forget what the sun even looks like.”

I turn back to find Grigori staring at me. He’s looking at me as if seeing me for the first time. There’s a heavy intensity in his eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitches, like he’s got a secret he’s not ready to spill.

“What?” I ask, arching an eyebrow. “Do I have something on me?” I pat myself down.

He blinks, like he’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t be. Then he shakes his head, giving me a slow, unreadable smile. “It’s nothing,” he says then pauses. “Actually, one second.”

Before I can press him, he heads back into the bedroom. I watch him go, trying to put my finger on what’s got him acting so strange. But it’s Grigori and he’s a vault. I give up trying to figure it out and slip my phone in my pocket just as he returns, his face giving nothing away. Without a word, he rests his hand on the small of my back, guiding me out the door and down the stairs.

As we descend, warm, familiar scents fill the air—eggs, bacon, something sweet. My stomach growls.

“Smells like an American breakfast. Which means—”

“Family’s back,” I finish, grinning. It’s rare these days to have everyone in one place, and the idea of it lights me up inside.

We head into the kitchen. Luk and Lev are leaning against the counter, deep in conversation over coffee, while Yuri and Alexei set the table. Luk’s wife, Maura, stands at the stove, flipping pancakes like it’s a sport, all while wrangling their son, Michael, who’s busy sneaking strawberries from a bowl. Across from her is Lev’s wife, Dalia, attempting to keep their twin girls, Emma and Laurel, from starting World War III over who gets the bigger pancake.

The noise, the familiar faces, the smell of food… it all hits me at once. I wasn’t expecting this little reunion to pull at me the way it does, but here we are. These people are chaos and comfort and history all rolled into one, and right now, it feels perfect.

Grigori’s hand finds mine and gives it a gentle squeeze. He doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t need to.

We settle in at the table, and before I can even blink, Maura’s setting down plates piled high with eggs, bacon, and pancakes, still managing to keep a sharp eye on her little one, Michael, who’s attempting to sneak another handful of strawberries from the bowl.

Lev passes me a mug of coffee, steaming and rich, and I take it with a grateful nod, savoring all of us finally being together again.

“So,” I say, leaning back as I turn to Maura. “How was LA? I’m guessing the weather was a little less moody than here.”

Dalia, perched beside her husband, grins wide, jumping in before Maura can answer. “It was perfect. The kids loved it; we practically had to drag them to the airport when it was time to leave. Emma keeps asking when we can move there forever, don’t you, Em?”

Emma, all of four years old, looks up with a defiant expression that’s half her mother, half her father. “I liked the pool,” she announces, as if this detail should seal the deal on their permanent relocation.

Leaning in, I can’t help but chuckle. “You’ve got good taste, kiddo. Sun and swimming beat this cold any day.”

Maura laughs, pouring herself a fresh cup of coffee. “We all nearly melted under that sun but she’s right. Poolside life is something else.” She gives me a knowing look as her eyes flick to Grigori’s hand resting on mine. “It looks like others enjoyed some cozy time back home while we were gone, hmm?”

Dalia gasps, clapping her hands together like a kid on Christmas morning. “Oh, I knew this would happen someday! You two were always so… ugh, what’s the word? Combustible?”

I roll my eyes, trying to brush it off. Grigori just raises an eyebrow, clearly amused as he sips his coffee. Across the table, Michael claps a sticky hand on his mother’s arm, no doubt trying to steal the spotlight with a grin full of syrup.

The chatter rolls on, the kids piping up here and there with their chaotic commentary, everyone sharing stories and laughing. And for a moment, I just sit back, soaking it all in. The conversation, the warmth, the noise—every part of it feels like a dream I don’t want to wake up from.

For the first time in a long time, there’s a peace in the air, a sense that maybe we’re finally moving past all the bloody shadows of the cartel.

I glance over at Grigori, noticing he’s quieter than usual. His smile is there, but his eyes hold something else, a shadow I can’t quite place. I lean over, lowering my voice so only he can hear. “Hey, you alright?”

He looks at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth and squeezes my hand. “Better than ever,” he whispers. “Actually,” he raises his voice slightly, drawing everyone’s attention. “If you don’t mind, I have something I need to say.”

The room quiets instantly, all eyes turning toward him. Even the kids sense something’s up, looking around with big, curious eyes.

Grigori stands, a touch of stiffness in his movements, betraying his attempt at trying to hide the pain I know he still feels. I catch it immediately, the slight wince he tries to mask, and I feel a rush of determination. He needs more care, more love, and I’m going to make sure he gets it.

He clears his throat and glances around the table, clearly gathering himself before speaking. “I’m not much for speeches,” he begins, a little awkwardly.

Alexei jumps in with a grin. “Oh, right. The famously loquacious Grigori,” he quips, earning a round of laughter from everyone.

Grigori chuckles, too, the tension in the room easing a little as he relaxes. “Yeah, yeah, I know. But this is important.” He glances at me, and there’s something raw and unguarded in his gaze that I’ve never seen before. “Being part of this family has meant more to me than any of you could ever know. You welcomed me in, treated me like one of your own. And I’ve had chances to pay that kindness back, to prove myself. But…” He pauses, looking directly at me, and I feel my heart race, a swell of emotion tightening my throat.

“But the truth is, as you all now know, I’ve been living a lie, keeping my true feelings about Elena, about how much I love her, a secret.”

The entire table goes still, his words making my heart beat faster. I can feel the warmth rising to my cheeks as everyone turns to look at me, eyes bright and knowing.

Grigori’s gaze softens. “The truth is, she’s been everything to me for a long time, whether I wanted to admit it or not. This morning I watched her as she stood at the window, the sunlight shining on her, and I knew I couldn’t wait any longer.” He reaches into his pocket, his eyes locked on mine. “I knew I had to make her my wife.”

The room blurs a bit as he drops to one knee, his eyes shining with something fierce and tender. He opens a small, velvet box, revealing a ring that glints just as bright as his gaze. “Elena,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper, “will you marry me?”

A rush of pure joy overtakes me, and before I can think, I shout, “Yes!”

The room erupts into cheers, claps, and a few hoots from the guys as Grigori stands, wrapping me in his arms. “I love you so much,” I murmur breathlessly, barely hearing my own voice over the commotion.

“I love you, too, princess,” he whispers, pulling me in for a kiss that seals every word.