Page 10 of Savage Obsession

The man before me—Petros—used to be one of ours. Now, he’s nothing more than a breathing corpse.

I crouch before him, gripping his chin, forcing his head up so he looks me in the eye. His face is a swollen mess, blood dripping from his temple, staining his torn shirt. His entire body shakes, and I can hear the ragged breathing from his broken ribs.

“Tell me again why you did it,” I say, my voice calm and deceptively soft.

He swallows hard. “Aithan—please. I swear, I didn’t mean to—”

I slap him fast and hard, making his head snap to the side. “That’s not what I asked. Why?”

His lip trembles. His eyes dart around the room like salvation will magically appear. “I… I was offered a huge amount of money and told all I had to do was send the shipment details to an email that would be provided. I swear,Kýrios,I didn’t think they’d—”

I grab the knife from the table and press it to his throat, silencing him instantly.

“Didn’t think?” I whisper, pressing the blade just hard enough to break the skin. A thin line of blood trickles down his neck. “You sold us out to a man who would slit my throat if giventhe slightest opportunity. And you think that’s something I’ll forgive?”

“I—”

The knife slides in deep, severing his words forever. His breath gurgles, eyes going wide as blood pours down his chest. I watch as life drains from his body, the last breath escaping in a pathetic wheeze.

I wipe the blade on his shirt and straighten, unbothered. Behind me, Leon sighs.

“You’re making quite the mess, cousin.”

I glance at the blood pooling beneath the chair. “Clean it up.”

Leon smirks. “You got it, boss.”

I turn and walk out of the warehouse, stepping into the crisp night air, inhaling deep. This is the last time someone betrays me.

Because the next time someone tries—I won’t be this merciful. Both they and their family will pay.

5

Yelena

Two Weeks Later

The days leading up to the visit blur together in a whirlwind of preparation. On the morning of the meeting, I sit in my room, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My twin sister, Alina, and Scarlett hover behind me, their chatter a comforting distraction.

“This one,” Alina says, holding up a sleek black dress. “It’s intimidating, but elegant. Perfect for scaring off potential husbands.”

Scarlett chuckles, though there’s a note of concern in her voice. “You know, it’s not too late to back out of this.” She meets mygaze in the mirror. “You deserve more than a loveless marriage, Yelena.”

I smile faintly, appreciating her sincerity, but knowing better. “I already told your husband that not everyone is as lucky as you two, Scarlett,” I say, looking directly at her. “In our world, love is a luxury. Survival is the priority.”

Scarlett sighs, but she doesn’t argue. Together, the three of us prepare, their teasing and support bolstering my confidence. By the time I’m dressed, my nerves have settled into a simmering anticipation.

When the Greeks arrive, the atmosphere shifts. From the window, Alina, Scarlett, and I watch as a fleet of luxury cars pulls into the driveway, their sleek designs gleaming under the midday sun. The men who step out are massive, their tailored suits doing little to hide their imposing physiques. TheElliniki’spower, just like the Bratva’s, is unmistakable, radiating in their every movement and glance. I pull back from the window after deciding to stay out of sight.

Finally, it’s time. I’m called into the room, my steps measured and deliberate. My heels click against the marble floor as I walk into the business room. The sound echoes in the stillness, amplifying the tension that seems to hang in the air like a dense fog. My heart pounds against my ribcage, a steady rhythm of anticipation and dread. My gaze sweeps over the gathered Greeks before landing on an unexpected figure. And my world stops.

Oh, no! It’s him. Vasil. The man from the bar. My one-night stand!

Shock courses through me, my mind racing to make sense of the impossible. His pewter-gold eyes meet mine, and for a moment, everything else fades. The room, the people, the weight of our families’ expectations—all of it dissolves in the intensity of his gaze.

What if his brother is my intended groom? This must be a fucking dream.

I force myself to breathe, to steady the chaos within me. But it’s no use. I’m caught, trapped in a web I never saw coming.

---