Page 70 of Dark Obsession

Grigori nods at him, giving him a handshake that’s more like a grip of mutual survival. “Good to see you, Alexei.”

Alexei steps back and gives me a quick once-over, probably to confirm that I’m really in one piece. “We were all going insane,” he says. “Glad to see you’re okay.”

Grigori and I quickly fill him in on what happened with Molina and Sanchez, and in turn, Alexei fills us in on how he found us.

“We tracked Grigori’s phone back in New York,” Alexei explains, glancing at Grigori with a sly grin. “The second it pinged near Chicago, we knew where to start looking. Then it was just a matter of squeezing some contacts who owed me a favor or two.”

Grigori raises an eyebrow, impressed. “Nice work. Never thought I’d be thankful you’re a bloodhound.”

Alexei winks, brushing off the compliment. “Hey, just earning my keep.”

For the first time in what feels like forever, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. The odds don’t seem impossible anymore.

I’m ready to go, adrenaline pumping, heart racing. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I catch movement, subtle but unmistakable. It’s Sanchez. Somehow, against all odds, he’s still alive, pulling himself up from the ground like some twisted zombie.

His face is bloodied, eyes unfocused, but there's a glint of determination in them. And worse—he’s got a pistol in his hand, and it’s pointed directly at Grigori.

Time slows. I don’t think, I don’t hesitate. I raise my gun and squeeze the trigger. The shot echoes, sharp and final. Sanchez’s body jerks, and he collapses back to the ground, this time forgood.

For a moment, the room is frozen. Alexei and Grigori both turn to me, eyes wide with shock. A grin slowly spreads across Grigori’s face, that familiar, irresistible smirk I know so well.

“That, princess,” he says, a spark of pride in his voice, “is exactly what I meant when I said never hesitate.”

Alexei lets out a low whistle, shaking his head in impressed disbelief. “Well, damn, Elena. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. But there’s no time to bask in the moment. Alexei looks between us, his expression shifting back to deadly focus. “Enough sentiment. Let’s move. It’s time to find Molina and end this for good.”

Chapter 30

Grigori

We move through the narrow, dimly lit back halls of the warehouse, the sound of gunfire and shouting ringing in the background.

My focus is razor-sharp. Alexei is close at my side with Elena right behind us, her gun drawn and ready. The squad of Alexei’s men is with us, too.

We’re in deep now, no chance of retreat.

“Lev and Luk are somewhere on the main floor with their men,” Alexei says, glancing back to Elena. “If we take out Molina here, we stop his push before it spreads further. But we’ll need to hit hard and fast.”

I tell him about New York—the mountains of guns and drugs stacked high like they were building fortresses out of them—and the squads of fresh muscle they’re gearing up.

“They’re ready for war, Alexei. This isn’t just a takeover. They’re mobilizing to lock down Chicago, hell, maybe the whole state if we don’t stop them here.”

“Then we’ve got one shot,” he replies.

We come to a side entrance that gives us a view onto the main warehouse floor. From there, we can see the battle unfolding—men crouched behind crates, shouting and firing. I can make out Lev and Luk on the other end, rallying the rest of our guys.

Alexei turns to me, his expression half-serious, half-amused. “Listen, Grigori. You’ve got to get Elena out of here. And hell, while you’re at it, haul your own ass out, too. You look like something out of a damn horror flick. When the adrenaline wears off, you’ll feel it.”

I grunt, brushing off his concern. “I’m fine.”

“Sure you are.” He chuckles, though his eyes are sharp with worry. “But you’ve got a duty now. Elena’s safety comes first.” His gaze flicks between the two of us, steady and unwavering.

I know he’s right. I glance back at her, her face defiant and strong, holding up better than half the men fighting. But it’s my job to get her out alive, and I’ll do it, even if it means leaving Alexei and the others to finish the war without me.

“Alright, but I’m coming back,” I say.

Alexei gives me an amused grin. “If you can drag yourself up off the pavement, sure. Now go. We’ll hold things down.”

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