Page 96 of Captured Obsession

“I haven’t yet decided if I will or won’t kill your husband. He’s very underwhelming,” I reply.

She smiles then, and it stops me in my tracks. Not because it’s particularly spectacular, but because I’d never thought it possible for her to do so. I was one of the many monsters in the shadows during the time she was held captive by my father. I wasn’t often around, so there was little I could do against his cruelty toward her. She didn’t deserve that treatment, but that was the world we’d lived in.

Elanee was different from that world, and it would appear, despite all odds, she came out stronger, when most would’ve broken. In fact, she’d been broken. I imagine her ability to crawl from that bleak hole has much to do with the man sitting across from me.

I need to stop discrediting the force of such women. Sienna squeezes my hand, and I’m reminded of her gentle power. If anyone even tried to touch her in the ways Elanee was so unfortunate to endure…

“You helped me when you could. You even went as far as to antagonize The Lion multiple times so his attention was drawn away from me. I haven’t forgotten your kindness or the scars you bare because of it,” Elanee says, and the shadows that haunt her hang heavily in her eyes.

My jaw tics because what I did wasn’t enough. Dmitri studies me as a vivid memory returns of one such occasion when my father and I came to blows. That particular incident had him driving a broken bottle into my stomach.

“I’m not a hero,” I remind her. “I could never get you out.” I’d intended on helping her after I realized the extent of his cruelty, but then she was gone, returned to New York. That’s when I knew my father was playing another of his sick games.

“But you were there,” Elanee adds, and looks up at Dmitri, who looks like he’s ready to fucking kill me. And that’s when I see it, the deadly fire in his gaze. Perhaps he does harbor our familial bloodlust after all.

I remember everything clearly from that day The Wolf fell. And I have no intention of killing him since he was part of the reason my woman made it out safely.

“Why did you come here?” Dmitri asks. “Themoment we caught wind that Sienna had been taken, I took Elanee out of the city. Even after these years since killing The Lion, I’ve always been restless that someone would come after me in retribution.” His jaw tics.

“I didn’t even know I had a half-brother, but when Luca speculated they thought The Wolf was behind Sienna’s kidnapping, Elanee forced me into action. No offense, Sienna.” Dmitri dips his head. “It’s precarious being involved in this world, realizing to what lengths you’re willing to go to protect the woman you love. I would die for Elanee time and time again. So tell me,Udav, do you plan on killing me?”

Just as he asks the question, the server reappears to take our order, and his eyes widen on the tail end of the conversation.

“With kindness,” Sienna adds, laughing awkwardly, and Elanee attempts the same. This is why I don’t like doing things publicly.

Sienna lists a few appetizers from the menu, but I doubt this conversation will last long enough for the food to even come out. Though, she probably intends to make me sit through it, uncomfortably trying to create pointless small talk.

When the server walks away, I say, “I wanted to.” That’s the truth. “Not on behalf of The Lion. I hope he rots where he lies in the special place of hell that was always waiting for him. But I’ve hated you for as longas I’ve known of your existence.” Dmitri stiffens, but I continue.

“I wondered how you got away, how you were spared while I was stuck with him. But in truth, it’s because you had a mother who cared for you and took you away because she loved you. My mother fled without me. I don’t lose sleep over it.”

I’ve come to learn that women are powerful in their own way when they want to protect something. My mother didn’t have such fangs when it came to me. But his did.

“I watched our father become obsessed with your progress from a distance, waiting for you to grow so he could challenge you. And I was bloodying my hands on his behalf. Not that I minded. It’s my favorite thing to do. But I could never shake the thought of how your life turned differently even though we essentially started with the same cards. We had the same monster’s blood in both of us.

“So, when news traveled back that The Lion’s outcast son had ended him, I found myself at a loss. I didn’t care about his death or taking his position, but one thing remained… My curiosity about you and whether you were everything I’d heard you to be. Sitting across from you now, I realize you’re nothing short of disappointing.”

Because he’s seemingly unexceptional. A businessman in a suit, a wife expecting their first child.

Extraordinarily ordinary.

Had it not been for meeting Sienna and my newfound understanding of wanting to keep my woman safe, I would’ve killed him without a second thought, because he stands for everything I once hated and didn’t understand.

But as he sits in front of me now, I feel nothing. No closure. No expectation. Not even hate. Perhaps seeing Elanee changes that slightly, though.

“It wasn’t easy killing him,” Dmitri admits. “I actually didn’t think I’d survive. But what I did know was I had to kill him to set Elanee free. And I was willing to risk my life for it.”

Ah, the notion of love. It still sickens me to my stomach, but it’s the gentle squeeze of Sienna’s hand that brings me back to the new path I’ve chosen going forward. I adjust my shirt uncomfortably.Does that mean I’m in the same category as this guy?

“I plan on killing The Wolf’s son and a few others who may be a concern in the future,” I tell him matter-of-factly. When I go in, I’ll strike meticulously. I have a list. Amongst the confusion, the families will start fighting themselves, unsure as to who is attacking. “Much like you, I have someone I need to protect now.” I look at Sienna, and her blue eyes soften.

“I’ll help you,” Dmitri says.

“No, thank you.” I put my hand up. “I don’t play well with others, and you’ll be dead weight.”

His lips pull back into a sneer. “Perhaps we need to go a round in the ring so you can understand why Imight be one of few people who can actually cover your back.”

“With those narrow shoulders of yours?” I scoff.