Page 48 of Embracing the Dark Side

Seconds later, Vincent came rushing through, drenched, and pumped up on adrenaline. He waved a gun and ordered the soldiers following him to “Secure the front and ready the cars.” Vincent stopped feet from her, shaking his head, full of disappointment. Jolie refused to be ashamed of her actions but feared what he would do now. If he kicked her out, how could she protect Helina? Could she lie and say she was coming for him? Could Jolie pretend she wasn’t trying to escape?

Over her shoulder, Vincent’s gaze drifted, and he smiled. “Thanks for the heads up.”

Jolie twisted her head to see Gil walking down the stairs. He was dressed in a green suit. Buttoning up the front, with a proud smile, he met Jolie’s gaze. Helina lurched for him, relieved to see him, but Jolie gripped her arm, unwilling to explain that her uncle was betraying her.

Gil addressed Vincent. “Miss Stephanov wants to heal our relationship. We hope that communication between us will get better from here.”

Vincent nodded. “We’ll talk in the morning.”

Gil shook Vincent’s hand before he glanced at Jolie once more. She hoped he could feel every bit of disgust she had for him. If she could spit in his face, she would. Gil was betraying Adrik, a man who had been his best friend for the last twenty years. He was sickening to look at.

Gil gestured toward her. “I hope there is no communication between her and Adrik. I can’t have my position be given away.”

Vincent redirected his gaze toward her. “No,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about her.”

Jolie bowed her head.

Gil squatted in front of Helina. He attempted to reach out, but Jolie pulled her back. He clenched his teeth before he whispered a few Russian words to her, which only made her cry. Helina buried her face into Jolie’s stomach as he left the house.

Vincent stepped up to Jolie. “Now you’re fucked, mami. And not in a good way.” He waved to a soldier. “Take them to the car.”

Jolie flexed away from the soldier’s hand. “Where are we going?”

“The police will be here any minute,” Vincent explained, tucking his gun in the hem of his pants. “We can’t stay here anymore, so I’m taking you to my father’s house.” He turned to go before throwing over his shoulder, “And I’m not bringing your goddamn cats, so don’t ask.”

Chapter twenty-two

Waterfall

Adrik's punishment had been solitary confinement. It wasn't much different from how he felt already. Being kept from the inmates was not as heavy as being kept from family, and privacy was perhaps its own reward. But it was freezing, and Adrik was shivering on a thin cot with no blanket. His eyes were nearly swollen shut, he had welts all over his body, and a burning pain in his arm. There was a chance his fracture had become a solid break, and the cast would need to be reset.

The hours went by. There was no self-hatred. There was no feeling sorry for himself. There were only the steps Adrik needed to take toward his goal, what he would need to do as soon as he got out and had a phone again. This was all just a minor setback. Nothing too serious. Nothing he couldn't recover from.

The door opened, and Adrik struggled to sit up. He could barely see; one eye had closed entirely, and the light was blinding, but he could make out the outline of three guards. One particular guard, named Jose, was a Toxin member. Adrik leaned against the wall, sighing, careless about whatever the hell they planned to do now.

Jose dragged a bedsheet behind him, rolled up like rope.

Adrik stiffened, his eye going between the three of them, noticing their smirks. Their intention was written all over their faces. He thought of bargaining. Money could change the most stubborn man. But these men weren't stupid. They knew the power he possessed, and they still chose the weaker man.

Well, perhaps they were stupid.

Adrik used the wall to stand, every muscle in his body screaming in protest. He thought of yelling for help, but they would have already taken care of the guards at the entrance. And he wasn't sure his pride would let him. He never asked for help. His father always knew when to give it. And though Adrik had always found it annoying, he greatly missed it now. For a brief moment, his heart ached for his father.

But then the guard stepped closer, and all thoughts shut off.

They came at him with speed Adrik couldn't keep up with. They gripped his fractured arm, and he cried out in pain. It nearly caused him to black out, giving them enough time to wrap the rope around his neck. With three broken fingers, Adrik dug them into the sheet, but it was too tight. His airway was cut off, and his mouth fell open in an attempt to gasp for any air, but nothing was coming. He smacked the men around him in desperation, but their laughter was the only thing in his ear. Adrik fell to the ground, and the guard went with him, squeezing the sheet even tighter. He could feel the blood pulse in his head, and he knew the end was coming.

Then it was gone, and Adrik fell to the ground, coughing, gasping for fresh air. He spat blood on the ground before rolling on his back, staring up at the ceiling.

Well, that was fun.

He twisted around, finding Mark, the guard with the brother in the family, and the warden.

"Nothing less than you deserve, Morozov. But this is my jail. And you're gonna face justice."

Adrik chuckled, though it was painful. He rested his cheek against the cold ground. "No, I'm not."

The door shut, leaving him in darkness, and Adrik passed out.

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