Page 71 of Dark Obsession

As we step out onto the main floor, I catch sight of Lev and Luk in the distance, taking cover behind crates and machinery. I give them a signal, and Lev nods in understanding, waving a hand to rally his men closer.

Alexei shouts to me over the din, “Yuri’s outside with reinforcements. They’re holding steady, but they’re not going to last forever.”

Shots ring out all around us, echoing through the cavernous warehouse. Bullets ricochet off metal shelving and crates, sending up bursts of dust and fragments. Alexei and his men open fire, covering us as Elena and I move toward the side entrance.

I push Elena forward, keeping her shielded as best I can. A cartel soldier darts out from a corner, gun pointed at us. I raise my pistol, firing a clean shot to his chest. The man drops, and we press forward, ducking and weaving through the chaos.

Finally, we reach the side exit and slip out into the cool night air, where a small army of Ivanov soldiers is stationed, weapons raised and ready. They’re surrounding the building in a wide perimeter. I spot Yuri directing reinforcements, his face fierce. Elena lights up, relieved to see him. She rushes over, embracing him in a quick reunion before stepping back.

“Good to see you both in one piece,” Yuri says, slapping Alexei on the back. “We’re throwing everything we’ve got at this place. They’re fighting back hard, but they’re slipping.”

I frown, something gnawing at the back of my mind. “How’s their backup?”

Yuri shrugs. “Reinforcements have been spotty at best. They’re putting up a strong front, but it’s nothing like what we were expecting. We’re holding the upper hand for now.”

That’s when it clicks. Sanchez, Molina, this whole setup— it doesn’t make sense. Why would Molina plant himself here, knowing damn well the Ivanovs would come down on him with everything they have? He should’ve had more men, a stronger defense.

My eyes go wide as the realization hits me like a punch.

Elena tugs at my arm. “What’s going on?” she asks.

I look to Yuri. “How was the main road getting here?”

“Main road was clear enough for us to punch through without incident. They’ve since reinforced it, though. It’ll take a hell of a lot more firepower to move them now.”

“And the side roads?”

“Locked down tight as hell. They’ve got them all choked off. No one’s getting in or out except through the main.”

Elena’s eyes dart between us, her hand still gripping my arm. “What are you getting at, Grigori? What’s going on?”

I curse under my breath, glancing back at the warehouse.

“We’re playing right into Molina’s hands. He’s got every road covered, most of our men drawn into the fight right here, right now. He’s baiting us, keeping us occupied while he’s somewhere else, finishing what he really came here to do.”

Her face goes pale. She takes a sharp breath, her grip tightening. “You’re not going back in there, Grigori. You’re staying with me. Let the others handle it.”

But I can’t let this go. I can’t stay back while Molina’s out there, possibly gearing up for something even more catastrophic. This fight might be a decoy, but it’s also a distraction. I have to hunt him down before it’s too late.

“I have to do this in order to protect you, to protect all of us. I need to find him and end this.”

Her eyes fill with tears, her jaw set with the kind of resolve I’ve come to love.

“No,” she whispers, shaking her head. “I almost lost you once, Grigori. I can’t go through that again. You can’t just—”

I pull her close, brushing a tear from her cheek, my thumb lingering on her soft skin. “This is the only way I can keep you safe, Elena. I need you to trust me.”

Her voice breaks as she says, “I love you,” her gaze intense and unwavering. “Don’t make me say goodbye.”

I press a hard, urgent kiss to her lips, letting it say everything I can’t. Then I pull back, hands lingering on her shoulders for a second.“I love you, too,” I say, my voice rough.

Before she can protest again, I slip away and head back into the fray, leaving her behind as my heart falls apart with every step.

I hurry back into the warehouse, pushing through the chaos as Ivanov men work to eliminate the few cartel soldiers left.

I cut through the hallways and descend into the basement, hoping I can find Molina there.

I don’t see him, but as I turn down the first corridor, I see something just as damning—two blocks of C4 strapped right against the concrete pillar, hidden behind a loose metal panel.

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