Page 119 of The Dark Side

Jolie sighed and shrugged. "Yes. Everything you just pointed out is a struggle. I feel like we're doomed."

Alexei agreed silently. Not only did they have completely contrasting lifestyles, but their personalities were on opposite ends of the spectrum. It's one of the reasons why there was a slim chance that Jolie would one day realize Alexei was more suited for her.

But that's an asshole's hope.

"Adrik's had a tough life," he began, glancing around them, ensuring no one could hear him. "When we were little kids, my father was hard on me. I would take on the family, so he was merciless in training. I was beaten many times and was never allowed to fight back. It was to condition me to pain."

"That sounds more likeyouhad a tough life."

Alexei yearned for her sympathy, but if he was a lesser man, he might have dived for more, but this wasn't about him.

"When Adrik turned ten, he came between me and my father. He took on every beating. He took on every terrible thing my father could invent. He even took on the family so I wouldn't have to. Adrik is one of the most loyal, dedicated, amazing men I know."

Jolie loved how much Adrik cared for his brother. It's the type of care she knew he was capable of, and wanted for herself.

Alexei held up a hand. "But," he added, "he’s not the best boyfriend. He went through girls like crazy in high school. You can only imagine when my dad told him he was getting married. But like I said, he's loyal and dedicated, so he swallowed all his doubts and completely gave in to Katia. And he was so good to her." Alexei shook his head, thinking back to it. "She wanted for nothing. He changed, became a good man, and gave her his full attention. And she fucking destroyed him."

The words came out bitterly, as if Adrik's pain was his. "Katia told me." Katia should have ended things with her boyfriend or at least told Adrik what was going on. He might have understood.

Just like how I need to tell Adrik what's happened with Mally.Jolie bowed her head, feeling the small bubbling guilt in her chest.

Alexei continued his story. "Adrik went right back to the guy he was before and got a little colder. Waiting six months to find out if the child she was carrying was his or the other guy's really fucked with his head. He put everyone at a distance, even me." Alexei leaned back on his hands, watching Helina jump in the pool. "I'm telling you this because even though I know he can be distant and maybe a little heartless, Adrik's worth the trouble. He'll be good to you. And if I didn't fully believe that—" Alexei paused, and he got to his feet, squatting beside her with his elbows on his knees, his hands hanging between them. Alexei met her gaze. Did she even know how beautiful she looked in the sunlight? "I would be trying to steal you away."

Chapter forty-three

Choice

Joliestaredoutthewindow of the limo. The bright-blue water stretched forever as they approached the beach. A surprise invitation by Tatianna to join her on the yacht had come this morning, and Jolie couldn't say no. Six days of waiting for Adrik to return had resulted in misery on top of misery. Jolie was avoiding Katia like the plague. And though Alexei invited her to parties every night, she dutifully declined. His confession at the pool made her weary of his friendship. She didn't want him to think there was anything between them. She enjoyed being with him, but she couldn't risk him making a pass at her. Adrik loved his brother. She couldn't imagine what damage it would do to their kinship.

The limo drove by fishing charters and sunset cruises, and then, as the car kept going down the line, her gaze came upon the largest yacht on the dock. The limo stopped in front of it. Her mouth fell open.

Jolie quickly typed,'I'm going on a yacht.'

Her mother instantly replied,'Why didn't you invite me?'

Jolie smiled, adoring her mother. Heather was the rock these last few days, her only form of entertainment. And though her mother still didn’t know what exactly was going on inside the Morozov household, her advice and affection was still very much needed.

The driver opened Jolie’s door, helping her out. He dutifully took her bag, directing her to the ramp. It squeaked with each step till her feet landed on the hollow deck of the ship.

"Jolie!"

Helina ran down the side of the ship and jumped into her arms. "Hi, baby girl!" Jolie squeezed her, kissing her cheek.

"Miss Bell!" Tatianna greeted Jolie from the second floor. She had a drink in her hand, oversized sunglasses on her face, and her flowered sundress waved in the wind. "Come up! We'll be leaving shortly."

Jolie followed Helina, taking her around the front of the massive ship. She took her inside where the stairs were. There was a living room with a flat-screen TV, three bedrooms, and three different levels. She couldn't imagine what kind of price tag this thing had. Helina revealed that Adrik was on the ship, sleeping.

"Your dad's here?" The words slipped out, too hopeful, but thankfully the little girl didn't notice a difference. Jolie touched her hair and glanced at herself in the hallway mirror, suddenly more self-conscious than ever. She should have gotten a better bathing suit that didn't look like an eighty-year-old grandma would wear. Her hair was in a messy bun. With no makeup, she was sure she had bags under her eyes from the lack of sleep these past few days.

But at least I shaved.

With Helina pulling her hand, she was brought to the extravagant breakfast table where Tatianna waited. "My favorite person! Come sit next to me." Jolie slid into the booth, and Tatianna kissed her cheek in greeting. "I'm so glad you could make it. Eat, please; I can't possibly finish all this. My cooks love to impress."

Jolie adored Tatianna. She spoke of random extravagances, like dinner parties in Paris and her sixtieth birthday in a Russian ballroom. She wasn't trying to brag; it didn't feel like that to Jolie. She only wanted to share the greatness of her life, and Jolie loved to hear it.

It was an hour later when Adrik strolled through the door. He wore swim shorts and flip-flops, exposing his chest and belly, full of decorative tattoos. The light from the windows ignited his blue eyes like little holes to Heaven. A smile bloomed on her face. Any thought of being mad at him disappeared, and she shifted as if to get up and hug him.

Thankfully, Helina beat her to it.

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