Page 31 of Dark Obsession

I think of Grigori as I walk, a new constant in my life. Where the hell is he and why hasn’t he called me back?

I glance down at my phone again, hoping for a message, but the screen remains blank.

Damn it.

The silence from him is starting to feel heavier than the gray skies above me.

Chapter 14

Elena

Imake my way a few blocks from the mansion to Shaw Park.

There’s a crisp bite in the air, the kind that makes it feel like the first snowfall of the season is just around the corner.

I walk slowly, trying to enjoy the fresh air, but it’s hard to feel free with one bodyguard in front of me and another looming behind.

They make me feel caged in, like I can’t even breathe without them monitoring it.

I pull out my phone for what must be the hundredth time, checking for any sign of life from Grigori. Nothing. No text, no call. It’s like he’s just vanished.

The wind picks up, swirling fallen leaves around my boots. I tuck my hands deeper into my pockets, hoping something changes soon.

I plop down on a nearby bench, staring out at the near-empty park. It’s too cold and gray for most people, I guess. The bodyguards keep their distance but still hover, making me feellike I’m never truly alone.

I sigh, pulling out my phone again and aimlessly scrolling, not really looking for anything in particular, just hoping that I’ll see a notification from Grigori.

Nothing.

With an irritated huff, I shove my phone deep into my pocket, trying to pretend I don’t care. I glance at the guards, standing like statues, always watching.

My personal prison wardens.

As I sit there, a man selling pretzels walks by, the steam from the hot bread swirling in the cold air. He waves at me, slow and casual. I nod back out of politeness, but I’m already lost in thought again, my mind drifting back to Grigori.

I swear, if I could poke my brain with something and make it stop thinking about him, I’d do it in a heartbeat. It’s like he’s taken up permanent residence in my head, and no matter what I do, I can’t shake him.

Suddenly, a sound cuts through the air, like the soft hiss of a silenced gun.

I freeze.

My heart leaps into my throat and I quickly glance around. What the hell is going on? The guards haven’t moved. My body tenses, the air around me suddenly feeling heavier.

Something’s not right.

All of a sudden one of the guards staggers before collapsing slowly into a heap on the ground.

I whip around to see the other guard’s instincts finally kicking in as he pulls out his gun. I catch sight of another cart rolling closer—this one selling hot dogs.

Another muffled shot and the second guard drops, crumpling like a rag doll.

My heart slams in my chest and it clicks in an instant. The vendors—they’re not vendors. They’re assailants, and they’re coming for me.

I dive behind the bench, trying to make myself as small as possible.

I’m out in the open and vulnerable. If I don’t move fast, I’ll be next.

My hands are shaking as I press myself against the cold metal, peering through the slats of the bench, my breath caught in my throat.

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