Page 5 of Embracing the Dark Side

Sonya touched his brow. “How can a man as cruel as you care how you treat a whore?”

“Whore or not, you are still a woman, aren’t you?”

A smile spread across her swollen lips. “Careful, Mr. Morozov. A girl can fall in love with words like that.”

Alexei pulled away. “Well, don’t.” Alexei despised love. It was more a curse than anything. Love made people do dumb fucking things. It made people hope for more than they deserved. Adrik was a fucking idiot for what he was trying to do. It was something Alexei had learned years ago. He had loved a girl like Jolie once. Melissa was a fragile flower in his palm. She had sparked a life in Alexei no one since had been able to do. But because of his father, he had given Melissa up. Back then, at eighteen, Alexei didn’t think he had a choice. And maybe he didn’t. He wouldn’t have survived going up against Yakov then. Now, at almost twenty-nine, his father no longer held power over him. Alexei wondered how he would fair against Yakov if he didn't hold back.

Adrik was lucky to have met Jolie at an age that allowed him to stand up against their father.

The bitterness was strong. Why did Adrik get everything he wanted? It was never fair. And if Alexei could,he’d be jealous and hateful toward him, but Adrik was an annoyingly good brother.

It pissed Alexei off even more.

Noticing the time, Alexei cursed and snatched up his shirt. “I have to get ready. Can’t be late to the prince’s party.”

Sonya put her dress on as Alexei did up his shoes. “I like parties.”

Alexei snickered, sitting up. “I’d invite you, but…” He drifted, hoping she understood.

With a zip, Sonya turned to look at him. “Yes, your father would be livid. I would love to see his face, though.”

The moment she mentioned his father, Alexei’s thoughts started churning. One of his favorite things to do was piss off Yakov. Showing up with a whore would be entertaining and a perfect distraction. Plus, he could always screw her again.

“Are you free tonight?”

Chapter three

Spoiled

Adrik stood in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting his cufflinks. The dark navy suit was freshly pressed, and he smoothed his hands along the edges. A smirk teased his lips, remembering how these hands had been wrapped around Jolie’s neck last night. How these fingers were inside her and how these lips were all over her. He basked in the way she moaned his name, and her smile as she laid next to him. He didn't want to leave her and still fought himself to stay away.

It was dangerous to feel this way. And it was becoming too much, recognizing how he's never felt this way about anyone. It gave her power he didn't want her to have. If Jolie was anyone else, Adrik would destroy this before it had a chance to hurt him. But she was worth the risk. Jolie would prove herself to be better than anyone he's ever met.

But he feared more than what was developing between them.

In the mirror, the light reflected off the red jewel of his family ring. The ring symbolized unity and belonging, a declaration that the family came before all else. What he was doing with Jolie was against all he had been taught.And if he continued down this path, it would only be a matter of time before word got out, and then what?

Does it matter?

Adrik was owed. His father nearly got him killed, his wife tried to murder him, and his adoptive brother Gil wanted to fuck his estranged wife.

Family apparently didn’t mean shit to anyone else, so why should he sacrifice more than he had already? Jolie was worth their wrath.

Adrik forced his mind off it. No matter his discontent, he couldn’t show an ounce of discouragement, not when dozens of his rivals were walking through their door. Everything had to be flawless.

Alexei exited the bathroom, drying his hands. “You ready?” They wore the same tux, but Alexei was sure he looked better. He stood in the mirror, fixing his collar. Alexei tried not to make eye contact with Adrik. All it would take would be a glance for Adrik to know what he was feeling.

“Can you chaperone Jolie tonight?” Adrik sat, resting his elbows on his knees, trying to hide any form of happiness that might slip through.

Alexei had to hide his scoff and briskly replied, “I already have a date.”

Adrik knit his brows. “Since when?”

“Five minutes ago.”

“Then cancel it.”

“No.”

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