Page 61 of Dark Obsession

Oscar raises an eyebrow, his smile growing more menacing. “The bravado is admirable,mi Elena, but wasted. You see, I know what your family holds dear. I know what would destroy them.”

His words hit like a gut punch, but I refuse to give him a reaction. “If you think taking me is going to do that, then you’re as delusional as you are outdated.”

He leans forward, his face inches from mine. “You think I’m outdated? I built an empire before you were even born, controlled territories your family wouldn’t dare enter. And now that I’m back, I’m going to ensure the Ivanovs understand exactly what it means to challenge me.”

Genuine fear wells up inside, but I push it down, meeting his eyes with steely defiance.

“You think you’re scary, don’t you? You think kidnapping me is going to give you some kind of leverage? You don’t know my brothers.”

Oscar chuckles darkly, a sound devoid of humor. “Oh, I know them very well. And if they value your life, they’ll reconsider going to war. They’ll soon realize that no matter how far they go, they’ll never truly be beyond my grasp.”

I swallow, feeling a chill creep up my spine. “You’re underestimating them,” I say, trying to sound confident, but Oscar’s eyes continue to gleam with evil amusement.

“Am I?” Oscar’s smirk widens as he leans back, clearly savoring my discomfort. “You know, I’ve waited a long time to get my hands on Grigori Petrov. Tell me, how well do you really know your bodyguard?”

My hands clench and unclench, my knuckles white against the restraints. “Whatever you think you know, whatever game you’re playing, I can assure you it won’t work. This conversation is doing nothing but proving how desperate you are.”

He sighs, feigning disappointment, though the look in his eyes says otherwise. “So much potential wasted on loyalty. Your family raised you well. They’re clever, I’ll give them that. But cleverness won’t save you. I’m here for revenge, and I have a particular type in mind when it comes to Grigori.

“Grigori owes me a debt he can’t pay, but you… you’ll do nicely to remind him what he’s cost me, starting with my family.”

I meet his stare defiantly, refusing to let his words sink in, even as terror gnaws at me. “If you think I’m just a pawn, then you clearly don’t know me,” I tell him.

Oscar’s smile turns sinister. “You think you’re special? That your bravery will change anything? Let me make something very clear.” He leans in closer, his eyes dark and unyielding. “I don’t care who I have to go through. I don’t care who dies. You and your family are simply tools for me to demonstrate my strength to this city, to quench my thirst for revenge. And soon enough, your brothers will be begging me to take control, to finish the war I’m about to begin.”

Another shiver runs down my spine, but I refuse to look away, unwilling to show any weakness. “Keep dreaming, Molina. My family won’t bow to you. Not now, not ever.”

He laughs, genuinely amused this time. “Oh, my dear, you really are an Ivanov. But that’s precisely what will make breaking you—and your family—all the more satisfying.”

Oscar stands, giving a slight nod to the guard at the door. “Get her ready. We’re moving soon.”

I’m hauled to my feet, every instinct screaming at me to fight, to run, but with his guards looming nearby, I know it would be futile. Oscar watches me with a look that chills me to the core, like he’s already savoring the moment when he’ll dismantle everything my family’s built.

“You should feel honored,” he says with a cold smirk. “You’re the first Ivanov I’m taking down. Soon, I’ll work my way through the rest of the family. And when everyone he cares about is dead at his feet, perhaps I’ll extend Grigori a small mercy and end his life—perhaps.”

I glare at him, fury and fear clashing within. “You’re delusional.”

He chuckles again, his cold eyes never leaving my face. “Es possible. But soon enough, you’ll realize how outmatched you allare.”

As they lead me out, his words echo in my mind, terrifying promises that linger long after I’m dragged away.

Chapter 26

Grigori

"Where the hell is Claudio Sanchez? And don’t try playing dumb. I’ve already heard he’s got eyes here."

My fists are wrapped tightly around the collar of some low-level cartel jackass, pinning him up against the wall of a back room in a rundown bodega. He's sweating, eyes darting around, looking for some miracle that isn’t coming.

The guy coughs and tries to shift away but I slam him back against the wall.

He groans, sputtering, “I’m telling you, man, I don’t know anything, I swear! The cartel’s just a skeleton crew here. Since that den explosion years ago, there’s barely anyone left in the city.”

I tighten my grip, getting in close so he can see every dark promise behind my eyes. “You expect me to believe that? Since when does Oscar Molina run skeleton crews?”

His eyes go wide at the mention of Molina’s name, but the fear isn’t enough to crack him. “He’s not here, I swear it. No one’sseen the man in years.”

Damn it. As much as I want to take another shot at him, there’s something about his pleading that rings true. I throw him to the ground.

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