Page 10 of Embracing the Dark Side

Gil took a bold step forward.“You love me; you know you do.”A break in Adrik’s tough facade—an annoyed eyeroll—caused Gil to throw his arms around him.“There you go.”He kissed Adrik’s cheek, and the man shoved him back.

“I didn’t forgive,”Adrik reminded.

“Yeah, yeah.” Gil pushed him back, trying to smother his relief. Tatianna came up with drinks in hand, and they clinked their glasses together, both enjoying how happy they had made their mother.

“Look, look, look,”Tatianna whispered in awe, pointing to the staircase.

Katia stood at the top. She was dressed in a slim dark-blue gown that puddled at her feet. The satin fabric shined. Jewels were embroidered in the shape of roses and flowed like a river down the bodice. Her blonde hair was pinned to the top of her head, and small curls dripped down her face. Katia was always a beautiful woman. Too bad what lay inside was a boil-covered goblin.

Adrik glanced at Gil. He tried to appear unfazed, clearing his throat, sipping his drink, and forcing his eyes all around the room. Adrik found himself suddenly sympathetic. Gil held no position of power, his bloodline was destroyed, and he wasn’t commonly admired for his looks. Katia would never give him the time of day. Gil would forever be wanting someone he could never have.

Perhaps that was enough punishment.

Adrik took his place at the bottom of the stairs, observing her, waiting as a dutiful husband, forcing the look of love and desire. She suppressed a smile, like a shy housewife, but they could see the weaknesses in each other. He noticed the hidden lines under her eyes from the hours of crying. And she saw the flame of hate he was constantly trying to smother.

Her hand slipped into his.“Happy birthday, my love.”

He leaned in, kissing her cheek, about to reply with a sarcastic comment that would take the smile off her lips when movement at the top of the stairs caught his attention.

There, Jolie stood.

As family congregated around them, Adrik struggled for the first time to keep his composure, smile when needed, and laugh when prompted. The vision of Jolie in his head begged him to look again, to turn his gaze to the stairs. He greeted aunts, uncles, and cousins and maneuvered himself to catch sight of Jolie just as she got to the bottom of the steps.

Alexei waited for her with a hand out. She wore a tight black dress that ended high on her thighs. It had long see-through sleeves, and the bustline clung so harshly against her that it pressed into the fat of her breasts.“Princess,”Alexei greeted, kissing her hand. Jolie blushed and giggled, and it was a knife in Adrik’s gut. His brother’s affection for Jolie was becoming too obvious to ignore. Allowing them to spend time together was not wise. He trusted Alexei with everything, but that didn’t mean setting his brother up for failure. He was playing a dangerous game by keeping them close and keeping them friends.

A tap on Adrik’s shoulder brought his attention swiftly back. Katia rested a hand over his barely healed gunshot wound, sparking a bit of pain while she lovingly smiled at their guests.

It made him focus as much as it made him hate her.

Getting Katia to perform as a perfect wife after he killed her brother yesterday had been difficult. Adrik had to bargain, and it put a sour taste in his mouth. He was never one to give in to demands, but she knew he would need her tonight. Too many eager hyenas were at the party, waiting to strike him down at the first sign. Theyall knew the Morozov line was Florida’s most paramount mafia family. And all of them were vying for first place. The farce of the night wasn’t lost on him. Every time someone wished him ‘a long life of happiness,’ he could hear the insinuations, all desperate for his quick demise.

Adrik stood before the pool, trying to find Jolie without being obvious. He wanted another chance to look at her but didn’t know where Alexei had taken his girlfriend. It was becoming more of an anxiety, leaving Alexei with Jolie. Every man had their limits. If the situation presented itself, would Alexei cross a line? Adrik wanted to avoid finding out. He needed Alexei in his life. As selfish as it sounded, he needed them both.

Stepping beside him was Yakov. Adrik could feel the tension in his shoulders instinctively increase as much as he didn’t want it to show. His father would always have a sway over him.

As long as he was alive.

“Son.”

Adrik turned away, but Yakov had him by the elbow. He sighed and straightened, and Yakov’s fingers fell.

Yakov continued smiling and waving, acting like he wasn’t about to threaten his son. “You will get rid of this girl.”

“That’s what you want to say to me?”Adrik clenched his teeth, keeping his voice low and his eyes on the water.“You tried to kill me.”

“No, that was never my intention. You are my heir. But you have to learn, Adrik. If I had known how weak your brother was from the beginning, I would have spent your childhood teaching you. Instead, you were coddled. If I regret anything, it isthat.”

Every word out of Yakov’s mouth only made Adrik sicker. He didn’t know why he had held his father in such high esteem, and his disappointment grew every second he spoke.

“Now it is time to hand over Zinof before you start a war.”

Adrik basked in the fact Yakov was so busy searching for that bastard in so many other places that he never even thought to look in his own basement.

Well, he wasn’t there anymore,Adrik mused.

Adrik fisted his hands at his side.“Zinof nearly killed my daughter. Why do you want him?”

“Boris and I have a long-standing agreement. He’s made a very nice offer in conciliation, and I think we should heed it. We need that harbor.”

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