Page 103 of The Dark Side

When the car turned on his driveway, Adrik reached in the vest of his suit and unclipped the holster, pulling out his silver-and-gold 9mm Glock. He checked the magazine, slapped it back into place, and then pulled on the barrel to ensure a bullet was ready to go in the chamber. He rested the gun on his lap and waited for the car to weave its way along.

"Adrik."

"Don't defend him."

"I'm not," Alexei quickly stated. "But this isn't the way to do it."

Did it matter how it was done as long as it was? Adrik thought his father would step down and let him take control of the family when he was ready, but here he was, stronger, better, smarter than his father ever was, and the man continued to lead. If Yakov wasn't going to abdicate his role, then the only choice Adrik had was to physically remove him. It would cause riots. It would destroy so much of Adrik's work, but without considerable risk, there was no just reward. If Adrik got rid of his father, he could continue with expansion plans. He could dominate the west coast, from the peninsula to the Florida Keys. There was money to be made, yet his father was content with crumbs. There were so many little cartels that Adrik could take into his regime and have one of the largest families in America.

More importantly, Adrik could pursue Jolie without hesitation. He wouldn't care if Katia had a problem. He would flaunt it till she filed for divorce, and then their contract would be void. He would lose nothing, since she had violated their marriage first; everything would become his.

Adrik squeezed his eyes shut, imagining Jolie, terrified and trembling on her knees in her panda pajamas in front of his father. What damage had he done? Would Adrik be able to repair it, or would Jolie use this as a nail to their coffin? It was already cracking ice beneath their feet before his father dropped a hammer. Was it too late? Had she packed and left without saying goodbye?

As soon as the car slowed, Adrik shoved open the door even as the tires still moved. Alexei was right on his heels, and a dozen personal guards bounced out of the cars, chasing after him. The doors spread wide for him, and he pounded through the hallway. The sounds of all their footsteps rolled like thunder. Servants scattered out of their way, running for cover.

Adrik found them all sitting at the breakfast table. But he knew how forced it was, how amicable his father wanted it to feel. Adrik had been at this table enough times, compelled to play a role.

Katia put her fork down as they entered, satisfied by his presence. Jolie was wide-eyed, her hair twisted in a bun with a few strands against her cheek. The sight of her unharmed relieved him, but it also fueled him.

Yakov put down his newspaper and grinned."That was a quick trip."

Adrik clenched the gun at his side. "Katia, take the tutor upstairs."

She got Jolie up on her feet, bringing them by him. He grabbed Katia's arm and turned his head toward the woman. "Did he hurt you?"

Katia could see the swift glance toward Jolie. Though it made her sick, it appeared he was more in over his head than she first realized. She subtly replied in Russian,"We are both fine, Adrik."

The words stuck out, and he caught her eye, seeing the suppressed twitch of her lip.

She knows.

Adrik released her and stepped to the dinner table, standing on the opposite end to face his father head-on. He listened till the girls' footsteps were up the stairs before he raised the gun.

Adrik's guards copied his movement, turning their rifles, pistols, and revolvers on Yakov.

But Yakov was far from alone. His guards came through as if they had been waiting for this moment. Fifteen of them filed around Yakov, with his special fighter Li-Choy over his left shoulder.

Yakov picked up his fork."I don't know why you are so upset. I found a listening device. I needed to figure out who it belonged to."He took a bite.

"Don't," Adrik bit."You know the protocol for something like that. You do not take my wife and subject her to your bullshit! You put her on her knees next to the servants. You disrespected her, and you disrespected me."

Yakov put up a hand."You are right. I apologize. So, can we move on from this? Your mother will be waking any moment."

Adrik's arm shook, fighting the desire to end it, to put a bullet through his father's head and stop any of his manipulations. He felt his power constantly being sucked away by the old man. If he was a leech, Adrik would have no problem ripping it off and squeezing it till it popped. Why couldn't he do the same thing to his father?

Alexei stepped beside Adrik, and whispered, "Come on. Not now."

Adrik ground his teeth.If not now, when?He didn't know how much longer he could live under his father's shoe, allowing it to constantly press down on his neck and pretending he wasn't strong enough to get him off. He felt his manhood being tarnished in front of his men, in front of his family. He couldn't allow it to continue if these people were to be under his control.

"You will never touch my wife again. Or that tutor. She doesn't understand your games, and I don't need trouble with the police."

Yakov instantly pacified with,"Of course."

"I am reinstating all the changes I made when you were away. They work better. The numbers don't lie, and I don't care if your pride cannot handle it. I will give you six months to handle your affairs. Then, you will return to Russia, and I will not see you again."

Yakov fiddled with a fork, straightening his plate and looking elsewhere as he thought of Adrik's demands. Yakov waved to his soldiers, and they lowered their weapons."Alright. Perhaps I am holding on for too long, but it is not because I don't believe in you. It is because you are still so young. Only age gives you the knowledge that you need. But if you think you're ready—"

"I'm ready."

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