Page 78 of Savage Obsession

We step back, and Aithan turns toward Sabastian. “Draw up the contracts. Make it official.”

Sabastian nods. “It’s already done.”

Aithan strides out of the room, his presence lingering long after he’s gone.

TheEllinikihas a new king.

And the Bratva is standing with him.

Yelena

The sound of the elevator chime draws my attention from the balcony. The city lights stretch beneath me, glittering and endless, but my mind isn’t on the view. It’s on Aithan. He’s been gone for hours at the meeting with the Bratva. I know how important this is—the final step in solidifying the alliance between the Greeks and the Russians.

Just as I pick up my phone to send a quick message to him, the sound of the penthouse door opening makes me turn.

Aithan steps inside, his tall frame filling the room with that raw, commanding energy that always seems to shift the very atmosphere. His black shirt clings to the hard lines of his chest, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing the strong veins beneath his tanned skin. His pewter-gold eyes find me immediately.

I don’t miss the tension lingering in his gaze.

I rise from the couch, walking toward him. “How did the meeting go?”

He exhales, the sound low and steady. His eyes soften a fraction as he pulls off his jacket and tosses it carelessly onto a chair. “It went well.” He rakes a hand through his hair, those sharp lines of his jaw tightening. “We’re on the right path.”

Relief floods through me. “That’s good.”

“But,” he says, stepping toward me, his eyes darkening with something deeper, “there was… a development.”

I stop mid-step, searching his gaze. “What kind of development?”

Aithan’s mouth curves at the corner, but the smile is thin, almost brittle. “My father pulled a surprise.”

My pulse stutters. “What kind of surprise?”

His gaze sharpens as he steps closer, the warmth of his body brushing against mine. “He stepped down.”

My lips part, shock ripping through me. “What?”

Aithan nods, his jaw flexing. “He made it official in front of the council and the Bratva.” His eyes darken, something dangerous flickering beneath the surface. “I’m now the leader of theElliniki.”

My heart races. “Aithan…”

I reach for him instinctively, resting my palm against his chest. His heartbeat is strong and steady beneath my hand.

“You’re ready for this,” I say softly, searching his gaze. “You’ve been ready for this. You’re more than capable of ruling the organization.”

His hand lifts, rough fingers brushing along my jaw before his thumb skims my lower lip. His gaze darkens with something fierce. “No,” he corrects. His voice is low, lethal, the sound curling through me like smoke. “We are capable of ruling the organization.”

My breath catches.

“We,” he repeats, his gaze burning into mine. “You’re not just my wife, Yelena. You’re my queen.” His thumb presses against mylip, a rough caress. “They saw that tonight. They know what you are now. What we are.”

My stomach tightens. My eyes search his. “And what is that?”

His hand curls possessively around the back of my neck, pulling me closer until our lips are a breath apart. “Unstoppable.”

A shiver runs through me at the sheer weight behind that word.

“You’re not afraid?” I whisper.

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