Page 120 of The Dark Side

Adrik lifted her, holding Helina against his hip as he approached the breakfast table. His gaze didn't even glance in her direction. The complete lack of acknowledgment derailed her. Adrik set Helina in her chair and greeted his mother in Russian, picking at the bacon and eggs.

"Manners, Adrik," his mother reminded. "Speak in English."

He sighed and then glanced at Jolie dutifully. "Good morning."

Jolie forced a tight smile. "Morning."

Adrik sat across from them, piling food on his plate. "I'm starving."

"You look too skinny," Tatianna chastised. "Are you eating?"

"There is no time, mama."

Tatianna scoffed. "Then you make time. You are in charge, and your health is important."

Adrik chewed without really hearing. "Where's Alexei?"

"He had plans already. If only Gil was around." She sighed.

Adrik eyed her over his plate of food. He knew she was upset that he sent Gil to Puerto Rico, but she would get over it. Adrik pointed. "Why is the tutor here?"

Jolie kept her eyes down at her plate. His disregard was like being tossed out with the garbage.

Tatianna sipped her cocktail with a smile. "I wanted to get to know Miss Bell, since my son seems to like her. I haven't heard Alexei's laugh in so long."

Heat spread out over her cheeks. The dinner party was still being discussed, and Jolie wished it could be forgotten. She didn't realize how much these people love to gossip.

"Papa wasn't too impressed."

"Oh, who cares?" she said flippantly. "Love is love."

Adrik snorted, and said under his breath, "I doubt it's love."

The insinuation that Alexei only likes her because he wanted to sleep with her unnerved her. And the way they talked about her like she wasn't there pushed her over. "Excuse me." Jolie left the table.

Adrik chewed his bacon, staring at his food.

"What was that?"Tatianna chided in terse Russian."I didn't raise you to be disrespectful. Go talk to her."

There was hesitation, but he got up and kissed Helina's forehead before whispering,"Stay with grandma."

Adrik went out into the hallway but had no idea which way she went. He wasn't about to chase her either. He jotted down the stairs and thankfully found her hanging onto the railing as the yacht went out to sea. It weaved through the harbor slowly, with the morning light shining on the city buildings. There were still too many ships this morning, with too many spies. He couldn't risk touching her till they were deep in the gulf.

Adrik called her, and though she was refused at first, she thought better of it and crossed her arms as she approached. He held the door open for her and shut it tight. He stood in front of her, observing all the walls she had in front of her. He took a step back to make room for it. Adrik had hoped her temper would have abated by now. "Have you thought about my words?"

She stood silent, with a pout.

"I'm not good with this kind of shit," Adrik admitted. "I knew you'd start with that feminist crap, but I thought you'd also see reason. Having men touch you will never be acceptable."

Jolie bit out, "I get it."

"You do?"

"Yeah, but it's the way you're treating me that I'm pissed at."

Adrik clenched his fists. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. "My mother is very perceptive. What did you want me to do? Make out with you at the breakfast table?"

"No phone calls?"

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