Page 45 of Embracing the Dark Side

“I can stop. I swear it.”

Adrik didn’t believe him. In a setting like this, where it was just too easy with nothing to keep him occupied, it would be more challenging to quit the dependence. “I’ll get you all the fucking pussy you need when we get out. But right now, you have to stop. It’s too dangerous. It’s unfiltered, untested. You have no idea what else is in it. Who’s giving it to you?”

“Why?”

The sudden defensiveness wasn’t lost on Adrik, and he asked again, harshly. “Who is your supplier?”

“I said I’d stop.”

Adrik sat back, grounding his teeth. This was why he kicked out anyone that couldn’t handle their shit. He hated addicts. They lost sight of real purpose—only getting high mattered. Adrik had too many important things in his life to deal with to risk it all with addiction.

“Morozov! Lawyer’s here.”

Adrik stood and looked down at his brother. Alexei refused to meet his eye, chewing his nail, another uncharacteristic action.

“Can you give me the phone? I wanna call Mama.”

Adrik tossed the phone on the table before he turned away from him, directing his gaze to the room. It was social hour, and everyone was doing their own thing, from watching TV to playing cards. He eyed each person, trying to spot anyone who might give drugs to his brother. The Toxins formed their own group in the corner and got up to strut like peacocks. No doubt they were butthurt about all their pathetic attempts to kill him. Adrik wasn’t new to the game. Even now, his people kept to the shadows, observing, holding a shiv in hand.

Did the Warden know he was days away from owning this fucking place? It didn't matter how much the guards beat him. Fracturing his arm was child's play. They’ll change their tune when the uprising begins.

Adrik got to the office, and his lawyer sat in his suit and tie, asking about his injury and making a note to file a complaint. Adrik didn’t care about bruises and broken bones and hurried the man into talking about how much longer they would be in jail.

“Two months.”

The news was devastating, especially knowing that Alexei was suffering. It was a blow he wasn’t ready to handle. The excuses were endless and Adrik made him stop talking. He couldn’t wait two more months. Something had to change. He tried going the legal way, a route he despised, but now it seemed Adrik would have to do something else. Something his father would disapprove of. Yakov was always about keeping under the radar.

The lawyer eventually continued. “I have a message from Gil. He said they were working on an extraction. But it would be better to leave Helina where she is. Katia is working with Vincent to get her out.”

“I don’t give a fuck what Katia’s doing. I want my daughter out of that house.”

The lawyer paused and then slipped a folder across the table. He was silent, not answering Adrik’s question about what it was. Adrik opened it, hoping it contained some good news.

Instead, it was divorce papers.

Katia had filed for divorce.

Why wasn’t he relieved at the sight of it? Because it was all on her terms. The lawyer highlighted parts of the passage, pointing out where she wanted things that weren’t hers. With a prenup in place, she had zero right to anything, yet she dared to bargain. He slapped it down when he got to the last page.

“I need to remind you, you are in jail for murder, Mr. Morozov. She will get a hundred percent custody of Helina. You will have zero parental rights. But”—the lawyer put a hand on the table, leaning in—“it is temporary. As soon as you are cleared, we can get her back.”

“Katia tried to kill her own daughter.”

“You have no proof. I’m sorry, but the judge won’t even listen without evidence.”

Adrik clenched his fist. Helina was the only thing he wanted, the only thing he cared for, and Katia was trying to take her away. She knew he wasn’t a bad father. She knew Helina wanted to be with him, but she was too fucking spiteful.

Gil had to get Helina out of there. If Katia got their daughter first, she’d return to Russia and disappear. She had more power there. The President was in her uncles’ pockets. They could get away with anything.

But Adrik’s sisters lived there. He wouldn’t be entirely without help.

The lawyer gave him amended divorce papers. Adrik scribbled his name; every line of the pen accelerated the bitterness and the resentment. He wanted revenge, but instead, he was stuck in hell, unable to reach Earth and take back what belonged to him. The devil had his feet; no matter how he fought, the iron grip was unbreakable.

Katia won this round.

The door flung open, and Adrik cursed his luck. Agent Mally came into the room. He sat back, bored already.

His lawyer turned with interest. “How can we help you, Agent?”

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