Page 31 of Embracing the Dark Side

Alexei sneered. “What about the family? We can’t both be in here for that long.”

“They won’t let you make bail. Mally got a new judge; he’s trying to act tough and won’t take a bribe, just like your warden. I advise you not to piss him off. That said, the family is currently in someone else’s hold.”

Adrik snapped his eyes up. “What does that mean?”

Gil shifted, and Adrik’s gaze flipped to him. “I’m not blood. I have no claim. Uncle Yefim would be next in line for the family. As much as it sucks, he’s our only saving grace. But”—he paused and shifted—“Katia is trying to take control.”

Alexei piteously laughed. “Katia?”

Adrik said nothing. She could try to do whatever she wanted. She wasn’t going to succeed. That meant his biggest contender would be his uncle. Would Yefim give back control when Adrik got out?

“The Stephanovs are trying to destroy us in the upheaval. They’ve taken back the harbor.”

It was a blow to the Morozov family, and Adrik closed his eyes. He didn’t understand how it had gotten here. Just last night, everything was falling perfectly in his hands. And now, twenty hours later, he could lose it all.

“Where’s my daughter?”

Gil bowed his head. “Vincent has her.”

Adrik’s shield was breaking. He swallowed hard, his lips twisting. He dug his nails into his thigh to channel the panic.

Alexei asked, “And Jolie?”

“He has her, too.”

Adrik stood and walked away, squeezing his fists and trying to breathe, but his world was crumbling. The walls in front of him were mocking him. Everything about his life was fracturing around him, and these fucking walls remained impenetrable. Gil went to him, hands on his shoulders, and all Adrik could do was shake his head. He begged Gil silently, begged him to fix it, to get him out. He wouldn’t stay sane otherwise. He’d break in here; he knew it.

“I got you, okay? I have a spy inside. The girls are fine. He’s taking care of them.”

“They’re not his to care for.”

“I know. I know, brother. I’ll try a rescue mission, okay?”

Adrik took hard breaths through his nose, but he concentrated on Gil. There was no one else outside thathe trusted. All his sisters were in Russia. They had no strength here. His uncles would be all about themselves. This would be their chance to supersede power without killing. It was what every family member wished for.

Adrik would have to rely on Gil, and though the man wasn’t the best at these types of things, Gil never gave up. He was stubborn like that. Adrik forced his mind to the business. If the business survived, the family did. He spoke Russian, fearing the guards might be listening.“The low-level gangs will be the first to fall off. Let them. They can kill each other for all I care. It is the families we have to concern ourselves with. Uncle Yefim must keep their allegiances, or we’ll drown. Use the B2R to threaten. Pay them whatever they want, so long as they remain loyal to the family.”

“The B2R will start wars,”Alexei intervened.

“We are already at war,”Adrik shot back.“Do you want revenge, Alexei? Or are you relieved Papa is dead so he doesn’t hurt your feelings anymore?”

Alexei turned on him, and with Gil between them, he would have knocked Adrik on his ass.“Watch how you fucking talk to me.”

“Enough,”Gil snapped.“You two are in this together. Cut your little dick-waving bullshit.”

“Fuck you,” Adrik nipped.“You wanted him dead, too.”

“Just fucking stop, Adrik,”Alexei ordered.“Can’t suck up to a dead man.”

Gil once more pushed them apart with more aggravation.“What the fuck is with you two? Is this because of Snow White? Huh?”He snapped his head between them, waiting.“You’re letting a girl come between you?”

“He started it,” Alexei pointed out.

Gil rubbed his face, sighing.“We need you to focus, Adrik. Our lives depend on you. We are on your side. And just because Yakov wasn’t my father doesn’t mean he didn’t mean anything to me.”

“Time’s up!” the guard hollered from the doorway.

Adrik’s heart kick-started. He didn’t want to be separated from his brothers. Despite all the rage in him, he needed them. Gil wrapped arms around both their shoulders, and their foreheads came together. He closed his eyes and took this moment of solace. It would be the only one he’d have for a while.

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