Page 39 of Embracing the Dark Side

It took Alexei a moment to realize who he was talking about. “Jolie.”

Adrik nodded, and finally revealed, “She was working with the FBI.”

“What?” Alexei huffed with a laugh. “There’s no way.”

Adrik hung his head, staring at his feet. “She was an informant. The pen Papa found was hers. Gil told me everything.”

“Gil hates her,” Alexei nearly shouted. “I don’t believe it, and I can’t believe you do either. Don’t you love this girl?”

“That doesn’t fucking matter. She was lying to me.”

Alexei continued to shake his head in disbelief. “It sounds ridiculous. And before you write her off, I think you should talk to her. I mean, she left everything, Adrik. She gave up her life—”

Adrik pushed off the wall. “You are just infatuated with her. You can’t see it, because you don’t want to. But I’m not so fucking stupid—”

“Fuck you.”

Adrik spun on his foot to leave, but Alexei wasn’t finished, snatching his arm and forcing him back around. “Stupid would be to let this girl go because of a goddamn rumor. You’ll never find someone like her again.”

Adrik shoved him. “What the fuck, Alexei? Are you in love with her?”

Alexei backstepped like he’d been struck. A lie was on his lips, and he was ready to deny it, but he didn’t lie to his brother. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it does!” Adrik yelled. “Are you fucking kidding me?” Adrik knew Alexei had a crush, but being in love with her was a whole different thing. How was this happening? First Gil fell for Katia, and now Alexei fell for Jolie? What the fuck was going on? He trusted both of them more anyone else in the world. How could they do this?

Alexei stumbled back, limping, leaning on the wall for support. He was ashamed of it. It was a problem; he knew.Being in love with his brother’s girl wasn’t the best thing for their relationship, but Alexei never intended to let it come between them.

But it could, couldn’t it?

“I haven’t—” Alexei struggled to explain. “I’m not gonna go after her, if that’s what you think.”

Adrik couldn’t respond. He had exiled Gil for the same damn thing. What was he supposed to do now? This could destroy them; didn’t Alexei see that? It was a bomb between them, waiting to go off. All it would take would be one touch, one word, to ignite it.

Alexei saw the accusation in his brother’s eyes, as if he were already guilty. And perhaps, in Alexei’s private thoughts, he was. He knew Jolie didn’t belong with a man like Adrik. Adrik would eventually fuck up too much for her to stick around. He’d hurt her past the point of no return.

Am I waiting for it?

Adrik paced in front of him, every muscle in his arms tense and ready for a fight, but Alexei stayed back. He didn’t want this to be physical. There was no doubt in his head that he couldn’t beat Adrik into the ground, but that would only shatter the fragile glass beneath them.

Alexei had to say something. He wanted his brother to protect Jolie, to love her as she deserved to be loved. And the only way to do that was to awaken his brother’s competitive drive. He wanted Adrik to fight. Jolie was in love with him. And just like Alexei had always done everything to help his brother, now he wanted to do everything he possibly could to keep her safe. “If you don’t fight for her, I will.”

Adrik punched him hard, and Alexei fell back against the wall. He kept his hands at his side, fisting them, but hestayed put. Adrik watched him and wanted him to fight back, but when he didn’t, Adrik fled the cell.

Alexei slipped to the floor. He had given up so much in his life for his family. He didn’t know how much longer he could continue to sacrifice. When they got out of this prison, something would have to change. He’d have to start living for himself, or he’d lose it.

For now, Alexei could only escape by mentally disappearing. He pulled out a bag of white powder and dipped his finger inside.

Chapter nineteen

Sink or Swim

“Polk County Correctional Facility. How can I help you?”

Jolie sat on the toilet, with the door locked and the shower running. Vincent had given her the phone last week, and she had caught up with her parents. But now, she was taking a significant risk. Her heart pounded as she whispered, “Hi, I’m looking for someone. I was wondering if you could help me.”

There was an exasperated sigh from the operator, knowing already what she was going to ask. “You have to wait for them to call you. Inmates can’t take personal phone calls.”

“But he doesn’t have my number.”

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