Page 65 of Dark Obsession

As the car winds its way through the streets of Brooklyn, the grim reality settles in. This very well could be the end, one way or another. I stare out the window and steel myself for the worst as the skyline retreats in the distance.

Elena needs me. Whatever hell awaits in Chicago, I’ll face it head-on, but if I get my hands on Molina, I’ll make sure he regrets every second of his miserable life.

The car pulls up to a dead-end airstrip in the middle of nowhere that looks like it hasn’t seen regular business in years. I see rundown hangars and a cracked runway full of potholes—it’s a wasteland that time has forgotten. It’s perfect cartel territory.

There are enough cars lined up near the strip to outfit a convoy: black SUVs, a few luxury sedans… the cartel’s rolling in style alright. I give the setup a quick scan—too many armed men, too many eyes watching every move I make for me to escape.

“You’ve gone through a lot of trouble just for me,” I say. “I’m flattered.”

I’ve seen places like this before, far away from law enforcement and prying eyes. If I make one wrong move, they’d have an easy time disposing of my body somewhere I could never be found.

“Not quite your family’s style of travel, but it’ll do the job,” Sanchez says, flashing me that smug grin as he nods toward the waiting jet, its engines humming to life. We board and take our seats. Sanchez sits across from me, and I glare at him with hatred and disgust.

The jet finally lifts off and New York shrinks below us, the skyline swallowed by clouds. I stare out the window, mind already racing as to what’s awaiting me in Chicago and how I’m going to end this. Molina is finally within reach after years of waiting. All that blood spilled, all leading up to one final confrontation.

This ends now.

If I have to die to put this bastard in the ground, so be it. But I will make sure that Elena is safe, even if it’s the last thing I ever do.

Chapter 28

Elena

I’m furious.

I’m tied up in some dark, damp, disgusting room.

All I want is Grigori—the one man who could walk into this hellhole, crush anyone standing in his way, then tenderly pull me into his arms.

Just thinking about him, how he kissed me like he couldn't breathe without me... I know I love him.And I haven’t even told him yet.

Hell, I only just realized it myself. Now here I am, bound and gagged, hoping to survive long enough to say the words out loud.

I scan the room again, searching for some angle of escape, but if there’s a way out, I haven’t found it yet. Every second I spend here feels like torture. I should be out there, fighting with my brothers, with Grigori. The thought nearly makes me scream.

I hear footsteps, deliberate and slow, and my skin prickles. The door swings open, and there stands Molina in all his slimy glory.

I mumble every swear word I can think of into the gag. He pauses a moment, clearly amused, then strides over and pulls the gag from my mouth.

“Well, then,” he says, smirking, “care to repeat yourself?”

“Oh, gladly. You’re a pathetic coward, Molina,” I spit, defiance firing through me. “Kidnapping me because you’re too scared to face my family like a real man. Grigori’s coming for you, and I hope he takes his time and makes you beg to die.”

He chuckles, clearly entertained. “You definitely have your family’s fiery spirit; I’ll give you that. Those are bold words coming from a woman who’s tied up and helpless.”

Molina settles into a chair across from me, all smug satisfaction and unsettling confidence. His gaze drags over me, making my skin crawl. I glare back, giving him nothing. I refuse to show any fear, no matter what he says.

“What do you want?” I demand, struggling to keep my tone steady while my heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest.

He smiles coldly. “Oh, I have plans for you, sweetheart. Very simple, standard cartel procedure. I’m going to send your brothers bits and pieces of you, a message they can’t ignore.”

I stifle a shudder and raise my chin in defiance. “Why don’t you get on with it then?”

His grin widens, and he leans forward, his dark eyes gleaming. “I’ve come up with a new idea, something that’ll hurt a hell of a lot more. I’m going to keep you alive.”

I snort, rolling my eyes. “Great. You want me to applaud your restraint?”

He chuckles, ignoring my sarcasm. “I’ve decided I’m going to keep you as my own. You’re going to be my little prize, a personal reminder of my victory over the Ivanovs. Imagine their humiliation, knowing their precious princess is my pet.”

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