Page 69 of Savage Obsession

Good.

30

Yelena

The knock on the penthouse door is firm. Measured.

I pause, my fingers tightening around the silk robe cinched at my waist. Aithan made it clear—no one should be able to reach this door unless they’re on the list. Only a select few know the location of this penthouse, and I don’t take unnecessary risks.

I approach cautiously, my bare feet silent against the cold floor. "Who is it?"

Silence.

Then a familiar voice. One of Aithan’s security men. “Mrs. Vasilios, it’s Nico. Just need a moment.”

I exhale, shoulders relaxing slightly. Nico has been part of Aithan’s personal detail for years. If there’s anyone I can trust, it’s him.

I unbolt the door and barely have time to register the blur of motion before pain explodes at the back of my skull.

And my vision blacks out.

When I regain consciousness, I feel my body aching in several places. A sharp throbbing at the base of my skull makes me wince as I try to move. My wrists are bound behind my back. The air is thick and damp with the scent of blood and sweat.

I force my heavy lids open, my eyes adjusting to the dimly lit room. A basement? Of course. Where else would a snake like Lazaro Galanis hide when he’s backed into a corner?

“You’re finally awake.”

The voice is calm. Too calm.

I lift my gaze. Lazaro is sitting in a steel chair, legs crossed, twirling a knife between his fingers.

Behind him, his men stand like statues—brutish, faceless enforcers who don’t need names because they’re only good for one thing: killing.

I shift my body, testing my restraints. It’s not too tight.

Lazaro watches, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Don’t bother, Printsessa. You’re not going anywhere.”

I swallow the sharp pang of fear rising in my throat. I refuse to give this bastard the satisfaction of seeing me afraid.

“You should’ve died when you had the opportunity,” Lazaro continues, his voice laced with mock regret. “Would’ve been easier for everyone.”

A smirk tugs at the corner of my lips. As I realize that defiance is my best weapon right now. “I was about to say the same thing to you.”

The smack comes faster than I expect. My face whips to the side, my cheek stinging from the impact. The bastard slapped me.

I slowly breathe in and then follow it with a steady breath out. I won’t give him the reaction he wants.

“You’ve got a sharp tongue,” he murmurs, rubbing his knuckles. “I see why Aithan is enamored with you.”

I spit blood onto the cold floor. “He married me because I’m not a weak little sidepiece like your daughter.”

Lazaro’s smirk vanishes.

The second slap is harder, knocking my head back against the chair.

I laugh. It’s a sharp, cutting sound, designed to enrage him. “Did I touch a nerve, Galanis?”

His grip tightens on the knife, his jaw clenched so tightly it looks like it might snap. He leans in, voice dropping to a deadly whisper.

---