Page 57 of Dark Obsession

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.

Chapter 24

Elena

Iwake up to an empty bed.

At first, I think maybe he’s just in the bathroom or downstairs making coffee. But as the minutes tick by, it hits me—Grigori’s gone. He left after he promised he wouldn’t.

I sit up, rubbing my eyes and checking the time. It's late, well into the morning. My stomach knots, and I feel a mixture of confusion, sadness, and anger bubbling up inside me.

He promised.

I throw the blankets off and quickly get dressed, pulling on jeans and a sweater. I stomp down the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest.

I need answers.

I hear Lev and Luk’s voices coming from the den. They’re talking in low and somber tones, and something tells me they’re not having a casual chat. I barge in, crossing my arms and glaring at them.

“Where’s Grigori?” I demand. Both of them stop mid-conversation, exchanging a look before turning their attention to me. Luk clears his throat before standing a little straighter.

“He left,” he says, the words hanging heavy in the air.

My heart sinks. Although I already knew the answer, hearing it out loud hits hard. “Why?” I ask, though I’m not sure I want to know.

Lev shifts uncomfortably, glancing at Luk before speaking. “We confronted him. About you two. About your relationship.”

I feel like I’ve been slapped. The audacity of it, the nerve to go behind my back and question Grigori about us, aboutmypersonal relationship. My fists clench at my sides, anger surging. “You did what?”

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