Page 81 of Embracing the Dark Side

His mother quickly turned to him and put a hand on his chest. “Let me handle it.”

He swiped at Tatianna, coming around. “Did I say you could leave?”

“I’m getting out of here.” Jolie continued to scrub till it hurt. “Away from you and this screwed-up house. You all are crazy.”

“You aren’t going anywhere.”

Jolie snapped her head to him. “I’m your prisoner?” With Tatianna behind him, Jolie didn’t fear him as much as she should. Anger was making her rash and freeing her at the same time. “You gonna be like him? Keep me locked in my room and only come when you want to threaten or tame me? I’d rather die.” She snapped off the water and pushed past him.

Adrik snatched a hold of her arm. “You want to run to Mally? Tell her everything you saw?”

“Let go of me.”

Tatianna put a hand on both of them. “Let’s calm down. Adrik, you aren’t acting right. Don’t do something you’ll regret.”

He didn’t acknowledge her, staring down at Jolie. “You think you're better than me? Better than this? What does God think of liars? You’re going to Hell, just like I am. You ain't fucking better than anyone.” He shoved her away, and she stumbled, bracing against the wall. “Get the fuck out before I change my mind and string you up next to him.” Adrik backed up. “Don’t come back.”

Jolie didn’t move after he left. She stared after him, tears burning the back of her eyes. It had all been for revenge. She had hurt him, and so he hurt her. It was the way he worked. Pain for pain. Jolie reached for the bed just before her legs gave out. Tatianna wrapped her up, her head against her bosom, and Jolie just sat there, motionless.

“Don’t give up. If you love him, don’t give up.”

Jolie had never been more disgusted, more terrified, and more heartbroken than she was right now. How did she recover from that? How did she keep loving him with what he’s done?

“He needs time. My son is heartbroken. He doesn’t mean it, sweetheart. I swear it.”

Jolie didn’t want to sit there and listen to a mother defend the atrocious actions of her son. She also couldn’t insult her. “I have to go.” Jolie stood but didn’t move otherwise.

“I’ll have guards go with you. Be careful. It’s dangerous out there.”

No,Jolie thought as she took up her box and walked out the door.It’s dangerous in here.

Tatianna watched Jolie’s car drive away from the doorway. She held her arms around herself, feeling more and more drift from her fingertips. It was karma, she knew. And she didn’t doubt there was more to come, but how can you stop an asteroid when you don’t know where or when it’s gonna hit?

Down the hall, she heard Adrik’s footsteps, and she turned to greet him, but he ignored her. “She’s gone.”

“Good,” he snapped back.

Tatianna followed him into his office. Did he realize how similar it was to Yakov’s? The wood, the smell of bourbon and cigars? It wasn’t Adrik’s style at all, but in his grief, he instinctively chose what brought him comfort.He sat in a leather chair, rubbing his eyes. When he noticed her, he straightened but opened his laptop to disregard her.

“What are you taking?”

Adrik typed on. “Taking?”

“Don’t be stupid with me. Think I don’t know a junkie when I see one?”

Adrik lifted his gaze, a warning on his brow. “Don’t attempt to be conscious now, Mama. Take your meds and go back to your coma.”

Tatianna rushed over and slammed the laptop shut, nearly getting his fingers. “I have lost all that you have and more. Don’t be a disrespectful shit. What drugs are you taking?”

Adrik sat back, stiff, and full of contempt. He despised her for calling him out, for noticing when she had barely noticed anything growing up. He wasn’t a child to be chastised. He knew what he was doing. And he didn’t need her help.

“Heroin? Cocaine?”

Adrik turned his gaze away from her.

She snatched his wrist, turning his arm to check his veins. “Cocaine, then.” Adrik yanked his arm back. “I bet you’re gonna tell me you can stop whenever you want.”

Her mockery pissed him off, and his hands fisted in his lap.

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