Page 128 of The Dark Side

Adrik hated being told what he couldn't do. It was a trigger to do precisely that. But his brother was right. He couldn't hurt Zinof or Katia or her parents. But there were other things he could do. Ways to smoke out who had the balls to come for his family.

Adrik took one last look at Jolie. Was there a way to salvage it? Was there any point? He couldn't promise that it wouldn't happen again. He couldn't promise he wouldn't let anything bad happen to her. He lived in a violent world. If he couldn't keep his own daughter out of the shit he bathed in, how could he keep Jolie?

Adrik walked away.

Alexei took a deep breath as he stepped through the doors. Jolie was covered in blood, and she stared with a dead gaze, shivering in the unbearable heat. The shock was sinking into her.

He'd seen people break before. Usually, when he's torturing them. He didn't mind it then because anyone who wasn't family didn't affect him, but Jolie had become family. Seeing her hurt was a nail in the hand.

Alexei stepped in front of her, and her gaze finally shifted off the floor, traveling up his legs like a slowly moving train. When they landed on his face, the disappointment that flashed derailed and burned in his chest. Alexei ground his teeth and bowed his head. He should have told Adrik to go to her, to be the one to console her, but selfishly, he hadn't.

He told himself it was for the best for both of them. Their relationship wasn't going to last. Alexei knew his brother and how he worked. Girls like Jolie didn't put up with shit as much as average women. She knew her self-worth. She knew what she deserved. Alexei could give her that, but Adrik had too much pride.

Jolie curled in on herself, crying, and Alexei kneeled down. He had only to reach out for her to fall into his lap, her face buried into his neck. He clung to her as her body convulsed, sobs that twisted his gut and made him sick. He whispered softly, "You're okay. I've got you," as he ran his fingers through her hair. "You're safe." Alexei closed his eyes and breathed in her sweet perfume. A fire ignited in him, wanting nothing more than to protect her from every danger.

Even if that danger was his brother.

Chapter forty-seven

Resign

Joliesatonherborrowed bed in the Morozov household. Her cats lingered around her, rubbing against her back, but she felt nothing except emptiness. Three days ago was the worst day of her life, brought on by her stupidity and ignorance. After mourning, she had to face her choices and try her best to undo them. There was no way to continue on here, in this place.

It was over. The moment Alexei stood in front of her on the boat instead of Adrik, she knew.

Adrik blamed her. And instead of facing her and telling her how stupid she was, he chose silence. She felt guilty enough for leaving the safe room; she didn't need his passive-aggressive anger.

Underneath the guilt was the desperate need for comfort. She had gone through something traumatic, and Jolie needed Adrik. Instead, she got Alexei. She wasn't dating his brother. She didn't want Alexei to comfort her. Even if Adrik was so pissed at her for coming out, he could still hold her and gripe her simultaneously. If she was going to live in this hellish world, then she at least needed to know that Adrik would be there with her.

But he hadn't been. Maybe he was too much his father's son. Something that Katia kept hinting at during their endless days together. She knew Adrik's weaknesses better than anyone, and Jolie was foolish not to listen to her.

With a letter in her hand, Jolie stood with a straight back. She wore black, mourning the lives that would never be spoken about. Even villains deserved justice, but this family took it upon themselves to be judge and jury. And Jolie had enough.

At the breakfast table, the family sat. Yakov at the head, with a son on each side. Katia was next to Adrik, a place that would never be hers. And Tatianna on the opposite end, eating and chatting, unburdened.

Jolie approached slowly, shaking. She no longer guessed what they were capable of. Now that she had seen what they could do. They were perfect for each other, this family of murderers.

She would never belong.

Yakov greeted her with a smile. "I'm so happy you've joined us."

Adrik shifted, his head to the side, but he didn't look at her. He was a coward, and she despised it about him. All the confidence and pride trying to cover up his most obvious flaw.

It's why Jolie handed Yakov the letter. Since he was clearly in charge.

"What's this?"

"My resignation. I'm sorry, but I cannot continue on here."

She turned to go, but Yakov called her back. She wanted to refuse but knew better. Yakov got out of his chair and instructed her to follow. Alexei stood, suddenly nervous, but she gave him a small smile for reassurance. Adrik continued to ignore her, and her gaze lingered on the back of his head, begging him to turn around.

But he didn't.

Jolie entered Yakov's office, and he sat in a wingback leather chair and gestured to the opposite one. Jolie hesitated.

"Indulge me for a moment, Miss Bell."

With a clenched jaw, she sat.

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