Page 20 of Dark Obsession

Great. Just what I need—a family interrogation.

“Can’t wait,” I mutter, leaning my head against the window. The rain beats softly against the glass.

We pull up to the mansion just as the last bit of daylight fades, making the sky a deep, moody gray. I sigh, knowing exactly what’s waiting for me inside. Alexei and I hop out of the car and make our way through the front doors.

Sure enough, Luk, Lev, and Yuri are gathered in the den like they’re about to hold court. There’s a fire roaring in the fireplace. Alexei cracks a grin as he strolls in. “Found her,” he announces with enough bravado to make me want to punch him.

I roll my eyes and plop down into a high-backed chair as the three of them stare at me. Lev wastes no time. “What the hell were you thinking, Elena? Running off like that? Putting yourself in danger?”

“I’m not a little girl anymore, Lev. I can handle myself.”

Yuri shakes his head, looking more disappointed than angry. “There are rumors about a cartel moving into town, and you’re rattling cages, drawing attention to yourself. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”

Before I can fire back, Alexei pipes up, all innocent and amused. “Turns out, she was just doing a favor for a friend who got ghosted.”

The rest of my brothers exchange glances, and then, to my annoyance, they burst out laughing. Luk smirks, leaning back. “Ghosted?”

“I did it for Sasha. I was helping her out.”

They keep laughing, the disbelief clear on their faces, and all I can do is sit there, fuming.

Yuri leans in, his tone softer but serious. “Elena, the point of this conversation isn’t to scold you.”

“You could’ve fooled me. I feel like a kid who got caught with her hand in the cookie jar.”

Luk crosses his arms, eyes narrowing. “Listen. We know something’s going on between you and Grigori. We want to know what it is.”

I arch an eyebrow, feigning confusion and try to look as clueless as possible. “What are you talking about?” I ask, though my heart is already racing. I need to find out how much they know without giving too much away.

Lev jumps in, his voice level but pointed. “The shootout at the club. Grigori was there.”

“Yeah, and?”

Luk leans forward, his eyes sharp. “He’s been off our radar since it happened. No check-ins, no updates. That’s not like him. We need to know why.”

I grin, playing it off with sarcasm. “Maybe he’s taking a spa day to unwind, Luk. Everyone deserves a little me time, right?”

“Damn it, Elena,” Yuri snaps, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “This isn’t a joke. We need to know what’s going on.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, hating that I have to lie to them, but I do it anyway for Grigori’s sake.

“I don’t know, okay? He seemed tense that night, but I just figured he was pissed at himself for almost letting me get killed.”

It’s not the full truth but it’s close enough to get them off my back—for now.

Lev looks at me, his expression softening. “We just want you to be safe, Elena. If you really want to help, do it from in front ofa computer. You’re brilliant at that. Invaluable. Shaking down thugs, on the other hand, is our job.”

I glance away, trying to mask the irritation building inside me. “Fine.”

Luk turns to Alexei, who’s still lounging against the wall like this is all a big joke. “Alexei, can you escort Elena to her room?”

Before I can protest, Yuri jumps in. “You’re not a prisoner, Elena, but it would make our lives easier if you stayed in the mansion for now.”

“Fine,” I say again, the word sharp on my tongue. “Are we done here?”

Without waiting for a response, I stand up, giving my brothers one last glare before heading toward the stairs. Alexei follows, and I hear him snicker like he knows something I don’t.

As we reach the top of the stairs, I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, noting the expression on his face. “What’s with the smug look?”

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