Chapter 15: Dark Obsession: Chapter 15

I stand at the window, staring down at the madness unfolding on the front lawn.

All of my brothers are out there, talking to a squad of policemen with a couple of detectives in tow. The rain falls in steady sheets, soaking everything, turning the grass into a muddy mess. It feels like the rain never stops in this city, like it’s always hanging over us.

I shake my head, snapping out of the daze. What the hell am I doing up here? I almost died today. I need to be involved in the conversation, not hiding away like some delicate princess in her tower.

Throwing off the blanket I’d wrapped around myself, I head downstairs, the sound of the rain pattering softly against the windows. I grab an umbrella from the stand near the door and push it open, stepping outside into the rain.

The moment I walk out, all eyes land on me. Everyone freezes, even the detectives turn to look. The rain splatters onto the umbrella, and I can feel the tension rise instantly.

Lev is the first to speak, his voice firm and unwavering. ‘Back inside, Elena.’

“Not a chance,” I shoot back, stepping forward with my chin raised. “I’m in the middle of this, and I’m going to be a part of solving it.”

My brothers exchange glances, frustrated but resigned. Alexei, of course, is smirking like he’s enjoying the show. He always finds a way to be amused, even in the middle of a crisis.

I approach the group, my boots sinking slightly into the wet ground as the rain continues to pour down. Among the officers, I recognize Detective Barnes—middle-aged, graying at the temples, and one of the cops we’ve kept on the payroll for years.

“Barnes. What’s the status?”

He looks at me with a sigh, his eyes tired. “Both of your bodyguards are dead, Miss Ivanova. CPD is combing Shaw Park right now. You’re lucky as hell that you got out of there alive. This Sanchez guy? He’s as ruthless as they come.”

I hold his gaze, refusing to let the fear creep back in. “He didn’t want me dead,” I say confidently. “He wanted me as leverage. A bargaining chip.”

Barnes frowns. “That tracks. He’s not the type to kill a valuable asset outright. You’re worth more alive than dead in this game.”

I glance around the group. “Has anyone heard from Grigori?”

Headshakes all around.

My stomach tightens, and I open my mouth to ask another question, to push for answers. But before the words can leave my lips, a wave of dizziness hits me. The world tilts, and I reach out, grabbing at anything to steady myself.

“Whoa,” Alexei is at my side in an instant, his arm wrapping around my waist to keep me upright.

Barnes steps forward, his expression softening. “Look, I’m no medical expert, but I’ve been around enough traumatized people to know what’s going on here. You’ve had a hell of a day, Miss Ivanova. I appreciate the spirit, but you need to rest.”

I want to snap at him; to tell him I don’t need rest. What I need is answers. But the truth is, my head is spinning, my body betraying me. The adrenaline from the park is fading, and the reality of what I’ve just survived is crashing down on me all at once.

Before I can argue, Lev is there, too, his hand firm on my shoulder. “He’s right. We’ll keep you in the loop. I promise.”

I look at him, torn between wanting to stay involved and knowing I’m about two seconds from passing out. “Fine,” I mutter, begrudgingly giving in. “Just don’t leave me out of this. I mean it.”

“We won’t,” Lev assures me.

Alexei guides me back inside, his arm still steady around my waist.

As soon as I get my bearings, I pull away from him.

“I can walk myself. I’m not an invalid.”

He grins. “No, but you are someone who has a hard time accepting help. And I noticed you’re limping a bit.”

I roll my eyes, refraining from arguing as we head to a nearby bathroom. But he’s not wrong; I landed awkwardly when I jumped over that wall and my ankles are throbbing. Once inside, he gestures for me to sit on the edge of the tub while he rummages through a med kit he grabbed from the cabinet.

“You even notice these?” He lifts my hands, showing me the scratches along my arms. They’re covered in bruises, cuts, and scrapes I must’ve gotten while running through the trees. One of the cuts is fairly deep and could probably use a stitch or two.

I glance down, surprised. “Guess not.” The adrenaline must’ve kept me from feeling any of it.

He shakes his head with a chuckle as he opens the kit and gets to work. The sting of the antiseptic is nothing compared to the rush of fear and adrenaline I’ve just been through. I watch as he carefully cleans and bandages the scratches, his usual sarcastic demeanor replaced with something a little more gentle.

After a moment, Alexei looks up at me, his expression serious. “Can I ask you something?”

I nod. “Shoot.”

“Are you scared?” He pauses for a beat, gauging my reaction. “I know our family has been programmed to never admit when we’re scared, like it’s a sin or something, but it’s okay if you are.”

I give him a wry smile. “No.”

He laughs softly. “Figures.”

I hesitate, my tough act faltering for a second. “I’m… concerned.”

“Which is a type of fear,” he says, finishing one of the bandages. “What are you worried about?”

“Grigori,” I admit quietly.

Alexei nods, waiting for me to continue, his eyes focused on bandaging up the deepest cut. I take a deep breath.

“It’s not like him to drop off the face of the earth like this, to not be in contact, especially now, with this Sanchez guy in the picture. The fact that we’ve got a serious adversary moving against our Bratva makes his silence even more frustrating—and concerning. We need him. He’s a useful asset.”

Alexei’s grin is slow and knowing. “Just a useful asset?”

I shrug, keeping my expression neutral. “Well, he’s good company, too, I guess. Or maybe I’m just used to him glowering in the corner all the time. It’s hard to miss him when he’s always lurking.”

Alexei bursts out laughing, and before I know it, he’s singing a few bars from My Fair Lady, his voice low and exaggerated. “‘I’ve grown accustomed to his face…’” He stretches the word his, clearly having way too much fun with this.

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help laughing along with him. “It’s not like that.”

Alexei waggles his eyebrows at me, still humming the tune, his voice dripping with playful teasing. “Oh, I don’t know. Sounds like someone’s missing more than just his tactical skills.”

“Please,” I shoot back. “It’s actually kind of peaceful without him glaring at everyone like he’s planning their funeral.”

He laughs again as he ties another bandage, then leans back, arms crossed, that signature smirk of his back in place.

“You know, Grigori’s a man who likes to get results. That’s probably what he’s out there doing—trying to get results.”

I sigh, brushing a lock of hair out of my face. “That’s true, he does love his lone wolf shit. Always off doing things his way.”

Alexei grins, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Don’t worry, sis. He’s probably out torturing some poor bastard in a dank basement, trying to get info out of him. Classic Grigori.”

I can’t help but laugh. The mental image is too spot on. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”

He ties off the last bandage, his hands surprisingly gentle for someone who’s spent most of his life in and out of violent situations. Just as he finishes, we hear the distinct sound of footsteps—several of them—echoing through the hallway. The rest of the family must be returning.

I glance at Alexei, my mood shifting slightly as reality comes crashing back in. “I want to go join them.”

“Okay,” he agrees then tilts my face to the side. “You’ve got a decent scratch along your jawline, too. Maybe we should take you to the hospital, get you checked out, make sure I didn’t miss anything.”

“Fine,” I don’t argue. “But first, let’s see what the great Ivanov clan is plotting next.”

Alexei and I make our way to the den, the crackle of a roaring fire filling the room. The crew’s all there, along with Detective Barnes. The tension is thick, and I can feel it weighing on everyone, settling over us like a storm cloud ready to break.

Barnes is the first to speak. “We’ll comb the park, gather whatever intel we can on the incident. I’ll keep you all posted.”

He glances around before continuing, “A couple of other Molina guys have been picked up for minor offenses here and there. Nothing big, but it’s clear—they’re setting up shop in the city.”

Yuri grunts, his expression dark. “That means they’re moving in.”

“War’s coming,” Lev adds, his voice cold and certain.

War.

I tense at that single word. It always means death, and I know what it’ll cost our family. “Sanchez wanted me as bait,” I remind them. “If he’d wanted me dead, I’d be dead. He’s using me to get to Grigori.”

Luk crosses his arms, brow furrowed. “Whatever’s going on, it sounds like Grigori’s at the center of it.”

“And he’s MIA,” Alexei adds.

The room hums with focus as the group dives into strategy. Men are being pulled from different operations; money is being shuffled around to prepare for the inevitable war. It’s all moving fast—too fast—but in our world, speed and aggression are the only ways to survive.

Barnes stands, holding up his hands.

“Look, it’s probably better if I don’t hear the rest of this. Plausible deniability and all that,” he says, flashing a weary smile. “But as soon as I learn anything, you’ll be the first to know.” With that, he leaves.

Lev nods. “In the meantime, we need to keep the kids out of the city. It’s not safe, and these cartel pricks don’t play nice when it comes to family.”

The thought makes my stomach twist, but I stay focused. “The first thing we need to do is track down Grigori,” I say, my voice firm. “Find out where the hell he is, what he’s doing, and what he knows. We’re flying blind without him.”

They nod one by one in agreement, but the frustration is obvious. Everyone’s tried to get a hold of him only to hit a dead end.

No answers. No Grigori.

Alexei’s eyes flicker, that familiar flash of mischief and calculation. He leans back in his chair, a grin tugging at his lips. I know that look. It’s the I’ve got a plan look.

“What is it?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

Alexei pulls out his phone, his grin widening. Yuri scoffs, crossing his arms. “Good luck getting a hold of him,” he mutters.

Alexei dials and hits speaker, the ringing loud in the silence of the room. It rings and rings then goes to voicemail. No surprise.

Alexei clears his throat and starts speaking, his voice calm but pointed. “Grigori, it’s me. Elena was attacked today at the park. Someone’s gunning for her, and we both know why. She’s in danger, man. Whatever the hell you’re doing, it can wait. Get your ass back here. Now.”

With that, he hangs up, tension settling heavily in the room.

I shift my weight from one foot to the other, crossing my arms. “He’s going to get pissed,” I say, knowing Grigori’s temper all too well.

Alexei’s grin doesn’t fade. “That’s the idea. Light a little fire under his ass.”

He slides his phone back toward his pocket, casual as ever, but before he can tuck it away, it rings. He glances down at the screen, then looks up, his eyes locking with mine.

“It’s him.”