Page 20 of Embracing the Dark Side

“Gil?”

Looking over his shoulder, he had the nerve to run his eyes up from her feet to her face. Upon seeing who it was, he sneered and turned away, continuing his conversation.

Jolie tapped his shoulder a bit harshly. He put a hand up. “Excuse me.” And finally, he turned to her. “Miss Bell,” he greeted, guiding her away from the crowd. “I know you are an American, and your manners are undeveloped, but interrupting is considered rude in our culture.”

“It’s rude in America, too,” she quipped back.

“Then we understand each other.” He turned to go.

“Wait.”

With a sigh, he faced her, forcing a fake smile.

“Why don’t you like me?”

Irritation increased as he avoided her gaze, glancing around them, searching for a way to dive away from her. “Many reasons.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Is this why you interrupted my conversation? To suddenly have a heart-to-heart?”

“Answer my question, and I’ll tell you.”

With a clenched jaw, Gil gave in. “Adrik’s gone through hell to get where he is, and you threaten everything he’s sacrificed for.”

“Why? Because I’m American?” She rolled her eyes.

“Because you are not one of us!” he snapped. Gil swallowed and shifted, trying to return to his amiable nature. “He doesn’t need anyone to judge him or make him question his actions. He is a mafia boss. There is no niceness in this world. You are making him think he can give you some happiness, but he can’t. Men like us don’t belong with girls like you. We are covered in blood, and there is no washing us off.” He leaned in, and whispered harshly, “Not to mention I know your fucking secret.”

Jolie kept still, letting his words hit her. He was right, of course. She was threatening Adrik’s rule, all the while doing something that could destroy him. It wasn’t right. His hatred was justified. “I’m gonna tell him.”

Gil snickered, crossing his arms. “Sure.”

“No, I am. Tonight.”

His head bobbed, not convinced. “Is that all?”

Jolie handed him a note, and he snatched it. “What’s this crap?” He ran his eyes over the piece of paper, and she watched his face, wanting to see what he got from it. To her surprise, it was panic.

“Who gave you this?”

“Katia.”

A Russian curse slipped through his lips, and he shoved the letter in his pocket. A hand ran through his black hair as he looked out toward the house. She didn’t know who he was searching for, but he backed up. “You should leave, girl.” With that, Gil limped away without looking over his shoulder as he disappeared into the foliage.

Just then, a shout came from the house.

Chapter ten

Surprise

They were gathering everyone together to singHappy Birthday. Jolie breathed out a heavy sigh. Too much stress was at this damn birthday party. Where was the fun? Didn’t they have anyone to make animal balloons or give out cotton candy?

You’re at a mafia party, girl, not a five-year-old’s My Little Pony birthday.It would be nice, though, to eat some cotton candy. Perhaps for Adrik’s next birthday, she could put something together. She giggled, imagining Adrik’s expression when she brought in a bounce house. Knowing him as she did, he wouldn’t get on it, but she and Helina would have a blast.

Jolie followed the crowd into the house, standing in the back next to the staircase. Vargo was ten feet away, trying to appear less stalkerish, but everyone knew what he was there for. When a couple of teenage boys tried to approach, he shifted closer. They glanced at him before shrugging and shoving each other to get away. She got some pleasure out of that.

The front door wasn’t far from her, and she wondered if she should take Gil’s advice. She was clearly out of her league. Her stupid comparison to a fluffy cat lingeredin her head. It wasn't far from the truth. She felt just as skittish and ready to claw her way out.

Adrik stood before his birthday cake. Helina was in his arms as the servants lit the candles. They sparkled, and Helina clapped, earning a great smile from him as he watched her excitement. His parents, Yakov and Tatianna, stood next to him, instructing everyone to singHappy Birthday, but their Russian version was far from anything she had ever heard. She enjoyed it, nonetheless. Adrik was the center of her world. And through the distance, for only a moment, he met her gaze, and it meant everything. She would endure it all just to be near him. A grin stretched on her face. The future was unpredictable, but she was ready for it.

Alexei came through a doorway, and Jolie was happy to finally see him, but his look of terror kept her in place. Her smile drifted as Alexei weaved through the crowd and latched onto Adrik’s shoulder. Alexei whispered in his ear, and as if time slowed, the light on Adrik's face slipped away.

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