Page 6 of Embracing the Dark Side

Adrik sat up. “You’re gonna let her go alone?”

Alexei pulled the cuff of his suit. “I think you’re the one letting her go alone.”

Standing up, Adrik stepped up to him. “What the fuck’s with you?”

Alexei zoomed by him to the dresser, then sprayed himself with cologne. “I don’t want to take your fucking girlfriend to the party. Why is that a problem?”

Adrik flicked his eyes over his brother’s face, trying to read him. Something was off with him that he couldn’t pin down. Alexei was typically permissive and agreeable. For him to combat Adrik over something so small was unlike him.

Then it became apparent. The subtle line of jealousy was on Alexei’s brow, and he knew what it was about. “You know I slept with her.”

Alexei scoffed, snickering. “I don’t give a fuck who you bed, Adrik. It’s a different girl every week; I’d be exhausted if I gave a shit.” He turned to go.

Adrik snatched his arm, and Alexei rolled his eyes, sighing and refusing to look at him. “It’s not like that with her, you know that.” Adrik paused. He wanted Alexei to understand how deep he was with this girl. Alexei's approval was the only approval that really mattered.

If sleeping with Jolie wasn’t the problem, their conversation yesterday was the only thing still left in the air. “Your offer: to kill Papa. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.”

Alexei rolled his eyes. “It was a fucking joke. Relax.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

The silence after told him he was right. Alexei wouldn’t joke about something so terrifying. Offering to kill Yakov was a huge deal that would have to be talked about.

Adrik tried again. “Don’t let her go alone. Papa knows about us.”

“What?” The panic in Alexei was everything Adrik was feeling but unable to show. He was about to start awar with his father and he didn’t know if he could win. “Adrik, what the fuck, man?”

Adrik slipped his hands in his pockets, never exposing more than he wanted. He shrugged. “It was time. Papa doesn’t get a say in my life anymore. He needs to go.”

Though Alexei was happy to hear it, keeping Yakov alive was a stupid move. He was a hyena. He’d wait, bide his time, and come from the darkness to tear Adrik apart at a moment of weakness. Alexei would have to make sure it didn’t happen. Even without his blessing, Alexei was coming to the conclusion he’d have to kill their father.

“What’s your plan here, Adrik? Do you understand that it’s not just about you? You are screwing us all over, going after this girl. Our sisters had to sacrifice and marry men they’d never met. Have their kids and grow old with these strangers. I had to give up Melissa. And yet, you think you can do whatever the fuck you want. You are the heir to this family. You might want to start thinking about someone other than yourself.”

“I’ve suffered,” Adrik countered. “And sacrificed just as much as you have, andtheyhave. But you all made your choice, didn’t you? Take some fucking accountability. I’m choosing to fight. You want to resent me or hate me, fine. Make sure you resentyourselffirst.”

Alexei curled his fist. He thought about punching him in the face, but he knew what trouble that would get him into. And as much as he hated Adrik’s little self-righteous speech, there was truth to it that made him sick.

"I don't get this. I thought you wanted me to stand up against Papa and now that I am, you have fucking problem?"

Alexei stepped back. “Fine, I’ll go with her. But if she falls in love with me, you're gonna have to take some fuckingaccountability,” he mocked.

The door opened to reveal their mother standing there, and any response Adrik had died on his lips. Alexei shoved by him and greeted her, kissing her cheek. “You have a very spoiled son, Mama.”

She giggled, tapping his cheek before he left.

Tatianna, dressed in a beautiful cream-colored gown, stepped into the room. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she approached with a brilliant smile. Russian flowed majestically from her mouth. “My youngest baby is turning into such a man!” she squealed. Her hands gripped Adrik’s cheeks and kissed him quickly. “I’m so proud of you.”

Adrik was bitter at her words, and he didn’t hold back the feeling. “Proud of what, Mama?” He pushed out of her hands, snatching his black pocket square off the table and stuffing it into the pocket. “I failed to protect you and Helina. My wife tried to kill me. My father betrayed me. I’m inches away from war with Katia’s family, and any minute now, the FBI is going to find me at fault for something and throw me in jail. There is nothing to be proud of.”

Tatianna was checking her lipstick in the mirror, and when he finished his monologue, she asked, “Do you want to know what I got you for a present?”

Adrik sighed as he stared at her.

Tatianna approached, reluctantly acknowledging her son’s discontent. She gripped his hands in hers. “Listen to me. Family is not always perfect. We all have our flaws. But we stick together through time, because time forgives.”

Disgust twisted his lips. “You want to forgive Papa for attacking my ship? For putting you and Helina in harm’s way?”

“He assured me we were never in any danger.”

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