Page 52 of Cruel Obsession

“Come.”

The door opens seconds later. Stefan fills the frame—hulking, tattooed, lethal. The only man besides Yanis I trust completely. He closes the door silently behind him, his expression grave.

“I have news,” he says without preamble. “Sergei Tulikov is working on a new project. He wants to build a casino.”

I lean back in my chair, forcing my body to relax despite the alarm bells ringing in my head.

“Not surprised,” I say. “He wanted to take Empire Royale as compensation for what I did to his precious daughter.”

“Greedy fucker.” Stefan moves closer, resting his massive hands on the back of the chair opposite my desk. “What do you want me to do, boss?”

I wave a dismissive hand. “Leave it, Stefan. He’s not going to find a suitable location.”

“Actually,” Stefan’s face hardens, “he already found one.”

“What?” That gets my full attention. I straighten, shoulders tensing.

“Da.He offered double the price to the owner and bought the site right next to Empire Royale.”

Pizdets!

The fucker.

My vision narrows, a familiar coldness settling in my chest. He’s obviously trying to take out the competition—me.He’s not even trying to be subtle about it. This is tactical. Strategic. A direct challenge I can’t ignore.

“Are you sure it’s his?” I demand, though I know Stefan wouldn’t bring me unverified information.

“Positive. Used a shell company, but I traced it back. His fingerprints are all over the transaction.”

“Fuck.” The word doesn’t begin to capture the rage building in my gut. “He wants to ruin my business as revenge for his daughter. Do you know where he is now?”

“Vegas. Meeting with suppliers, building his team. Word is he’s recruiting my old contacts.”

“How long?”

“Not sure, boss. Want me to look into it?”

I pause, considering. Sergei in Vegas means he’s already making connections, securing relationships, poaching staff. Moving against me on multiple fronts while maintaining plausible deniability. Clever, but predictable.

“Nyet. Get me a flight to Vegas.”

Stefan nods once, already pulling out his phone.

I need to speak to Tulikov in person. Need to look in his eyes when I tell him he’s crossed a line he can’t uncross. He needs to understand that there are consequences for coming after what’s mine—consequences that will bleed into every aspect of his life until there’s nothing left.

“Make it tonight,” I add, rising from my desk. “And tell Yanis to keep an eye on the Georgian situation while I’m gone.”

“Already on it.” Stefan’s fingers move over his phone. “You want additional security?”

“Just you.”

Stefan nods, accepting the order without further comment.

“One more thing,” I say as he turns to leave. “Tell Anfisa I need to see the new housekeeper.”

“Da.”He pauses at the door. “You’re sure about Vegas? Sergei won’t be alone.”

“Neither will I.”