Page 34 of Embracing the Dark Side

He chuckled, shrugging. “Sure. Gotta wonder why a woman like you, all goody two shoes and shit, takes money from anyone in the Mafia. Ignorance doesn’t make you innocent, mami.”

Jolie didn’t want those words to reach her, but they did. She ignored everything Adrik was doing and spun it to make it seem like it wasn’t as bad, or he was doing it because he had to. But even in war, soldiers commit war crimes. There was no innocence.

“I’m just getting the layout of everything they had their greedy fucking hands in. It’s their fault the ghetto is only getting bigger. They give us scraps while they have full-course meals. Look at this fucking place.” Vincent flung his hand to the hallway. “My family lives in a shithole while they live like kings. But what I intend to do is spread the wealth a bit more. I’m gonna bleed this empire dry. Take from all these greedy fucks.”

The comment brought a small, sad smile to her lips because it reminded her of his boyish dreams. “Like Robin Hood?”

Vincent found himself humored by such a statement. “Yeah. I’m fucking Robin Hood. Want to be my Lady Marian?” He held out his hand and was relieved by herlaughter. “So you still got a sense of humor, JoJo. That’s good to know.” Vincent leaned back against the wall, staring at his feet.

Jolie shifted. She didn’t want to see any soft side to him. It was bad enough she had to see him like this—all tatted up and pierced, destroying his naturally good looks. He let his hair grow long, and the black tendrils invaded his eyes, which was a silly thing to do because his eyes were his best attribute.

“I gotta move faster. I should be in full control by now. It’s been a week already.”

“What are you planning?”

“A bunch of different shit. It’s about setting things up like football. I have to control where everyone goes and look for the best shot to get ahead. I can do it. I just have to move smarter.”

Jolie bowed her head. She hated to admit it, but his words brought up memories she didn’t want to relive. “You sound like yourself a little bit.”

Vincent popped his head up, surprised by her statement. He studied her, and it made her nervous. “Did you miss me at all?”

Jolie curled into herself. “Of course, Vincent. I went years missing you. And hating you.”

He chuckled, nodding. “Yeah, same.” He tongued his lip ring, watching her. “I, uh, kind of did something back then. You’re gonna find out sooner or later, but uh, in prison, there was a really pretty nurse.” He shifted on his feet, running his hand through his hair. “So, got a four-year-old.”

“You have a kid?” Jolie found herself smiling at the thought.

He nodded, relieved by her response. “A boy. Lorenzo.”

“What? Do you have a picture?”

Vincent quickly took out his phone and showed her a dozen photos. “He stays with my stepmom most of the time. I don’t want him around this stuff.”

“Oh, my God, he looks just like you. Where’s the mom?”

The way he snapped off the phone and shoved it in his pocket told her it was a bad question. “She didn’t want anything to do with him. She tried to abort him, but I gave her a bunch of money, and once he was born, she took off. Said she never wanted to be a mother.”

“Wow. That’s crazy. I—” Jolie stopped herself from going down memory lane. There were so many times she thought about what their kids would be like. She was innocent in that way. Thinking in high school she met the love of her life. She was ready to marry him, to sacrifice all that she was for him.

Like I’m doing now?The thought drifted in her head, and she blew it away. This was different. Adrik was worth her sacrifice. Vincent had been a mistake.

“I’m happy for you.”

“What about you? I can’t believe you don’t have any kids.”

She shrugged, falling against the wall. “Every guy I met ghosted me in a week. And I never felt what I felt for…” Jolie clamped her lips shut.

“For me?” Vincent grinned, leaning like she was just inches apart. “I am hard to match.” He winked.

Jolie found herself smiling, but she broke it, dropping her head, staring at her feet. Vincent always had charm;there was never denying that. But all his inadequacies were as bold as the tattoos on his face.

“Can you be honest with me for a minute?” Vincent asked. “What was with you and Adrik, JoJo? Were you trying to date him or something? It doesn’t matter. I just need to know.” He was giving her the opportunity to be truthful. It was a test, one he wanted her to pass.

Jolie pushed out a very disgusted, “No.”

“I saw the way he looked at you.”

“He’s married.”

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