Page 117 of The Dark Side

Her mother knew her biggest fears. She shared everything with her, except that Adrik was in the Mafia. She wondered if her opinion would change. Jolie's finger hovered over the 'M', but she was too afraid that the moment she did, her mother's support would fall away.

With renewed energy, Jolie faced the day. Tutoring Helina helped push out the fog of her brain and made her laugh. She was learning a few of Helina's phases. Her Russian was okay, but she had a long way to go to get the proper accent. She hoped to surprise Adrik one day with the ability to talk to him in his native language.

Jolie bowed her head when Katia walked into the bedroom. All their progress as friends had dissolved, and now, Jolie couldn't look at her without fear. But that fear was also tinged with resentment. She wanted to get back at the woman, but learning Katia's weaknesses was hard. The woman was a closed book.

"You look like an injured puppy," Katia mocked from across the bedroom, folding Helina's clothes and putting them in the closet.

Jolie continued staring at Helina's paperwork, helping her write letters. She clenched her hand around the bandage, the wound and fear still fresh. "I don't want to talk to you today."

A giggle. "Aww, I hurt your feelings."

Jolie clenched her teeth but didn't feed into her teasing.

The door popped open, and Jolie swung her head, expecting Adrik, but Alexei smiled back at her. She didn't let her disappointment show. "Hey."

"Hi," he greeted, glancing nervously at Katia before he continued, "Helina, want to go swimming?"

The little girl jumped up from the chair. "Yes!" A strain of Russian excitement barreled out of her mouth as she grabbed her bathing suit from the drawer and ran to the bathroom.

Jolie folded her arms. "She's got two hours left of work."

"Join us."

"I don't swim."

"Then, get a tan."

Katia looked over her shoulder, and in Russian, taunted,"I don't think you're the brother she wants."

Alexei was quick to shoot back."I don't think you're someone anyone wants."

Katia giggled. "Good one."

He rolled his eyes, and announced in English, speaking to Jolie, "Adrik went to Miami for business. He won't be back for a bit. Tonight is my only free day before I have to take on his responsibilities here. And I plan on having fun, since last night was a failure. So, come have fun with me."

Katia questioned, "And Gil? Where is he gallivanting today?"

Alexei changed his tone. "Why?" he asked darkly. "What does it matter where he is?"

Jolie flicked her eyes between them. She didn't know what Alexei knew, but apparently, he had suspicions. It hit her then what Katia's weakness might be. "Is Gil okay?" she questioned for Katia. "Is he with Adrik?"

Alexei hesitated, unsure why Jolie was asking, but she was innocent in Katia's games. Helina emerged from the bathroom and ran out of the room, screaming Alexei's name to hurry. Giving in, Alexei answered. "He was sent to Puerto Rico for a job. Now, come on!"

He disappeared from the doorway, and Jolie turned her attention to Katia. She was still, her hands gripping the shirt. Instead of making Jolie feel powerful for finding Katia's weakness, it made her pity the woman. Sometimes, being a sap for love was a character flaw.

Jolie approached slowly, unsure if she should say anything at all. "Are you alright?"

The words spooked Katia into movement. "I'm fine."

The coldness annoyed Jolie, and she backed away, moving to her room, but she stopped. There were so many things in this life that were going to change Jolie, but having compassion wasn't going to be one of them. "If you need someone to talk to—"

"Ha,” Katia shoved a hanger into the closet before turning to her. "Are you this dense on purpose? You're one of those people that if a dog bites you, you make excuses for it."

"Dogs have bad days like the rest of us," Jolie defended.

Katia's eyes widened, before her hands went through her hair. "Oh, God. You're hopeless." Katia snatched up another shirt. "The thing with Yakov and the FBI is off. I can't trust you. Your foolishness is going to get me killed because it's going to get you killed." She spun on Jolie, approaching. "Do you understand, girl? This isn't a magic kingdom. You don't get happy endings and sweet forgiveness. We don't hope for the best and hug at the end of the night. This world you are invading is bloody, and violent, and scary. What are you trying to do here? What do you think you'll get out of this? Love?" She scoffed. "It's not enough, Jolie. We'll destroy you. So, please, get out. Run. Escape before you can't anymore."

Jolie backed away. The desperation in Katia's face was too much, too pure, too uncharacteristic that it was terrifying. She locked the door to her bedroom and sank to the floor.

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