Page 49 of Embracing the Dark Side

Adrik didn't know how many days it's been, but his throat had finally stopped hurting, and his eyes were no longer swollen. He had spent some time in the infirmary when he developed a fever from infection, but with antibiotics, he was on the mend. He wore a heavy cast for the small fracture on his arm, but it was unnecessary, and he spent time cutting through it with a nail to get it off. Casts only exposed weakness and he couldn't have any. The only thing he allowed for his three broken fingers was a piece of tape, keeping them straight and connected. They were healing the quickest. He could bend them without much pain and all that was left behind were black bruises that were slowly disappearing.

Adrik kept busy by working out five to six hours a day. Pain was welcome. It was a great distraction andgreat motivator. It kept him focused on the future, while attempting to sleep had become a more of nuisance. Any moment of rest caused thoughts to travel to terrible places and now he was lying on the cot, shivering, wondering what Helina was going through. She was the type of little girl that didn't let much bother her. She refused to rest when sick. She hated going to bed. Her energy was on the verge of ADD. But she was so easy to make happy. Even as a baby, she rarely cried as long as she was being entertained.

Katia hadn't been able to handle Helina's constant need for attention. Esfir became like a second mother, while Adrik made sure to take Helina whenever he could. Now that she was older, it was a risky thing to do. The shootout had been the final straw. He wanted Helina away from his life because she was damn sure going to grow old.

Adrik squeezed his eyes shut when vile, terrifying thoughts snuck in. Would Vincent abuse her? Would he allow others to harm her? Adrik's stomach clenched with dread, and he swallowed vomit down, trying to refocus his thoughts.

The only relief he could cling to was the fact that Jolie was with her. No matter if she betrayed him or not, Jolie would take care of his little girl. But who was taking care of her? Jolie was in as much danger as Helina.

Another round of illness spread through him. These wild tangents did nothing to help him in this hell. His mind tortured him better than any of these fucking guards.

Adrik struggled to figure out what he was going to do with Jolie. He found himself not so willing to just kill her and move on. There was something off about her working with the FBI. It didn't add up.

Normally, excuses didn't matter. Adrik got rid of anyone who proved unfaithful. He was surrounded by people willing to barter their souls for his attention. He didn't have to waste his time with forgiveness and healing.

Maybe his brother got to him. Alexei was so convinced that Jolie was innocent. So for him, Adrik would give her the benefit of the doubt. He'd listen to her reasons.

And they better be fucking good.

His dinner tray pushed under the door. Adrik was going to ignore it, not feeling hungry, but there was a piece of paper next to the small bowl of mush. He snatched it, staring at the Russian writing.'Going for Helina. Will let you know when I have her.'

Adrik paced for hours, waiting for the guards to come around again.

But the night turned into morning, and his breakfast tray was empty.

Was Helina with Gil? Why wouldn't he send word if he succeeded? Had Gil been killed in the extraction? Shouldn't someone have information for him?

He was stuck in quicksand, being sucked down, squeezed till his breath came heavy. A weak fucking panic attack had him on the floor. Clinging to revenge was the only thing to keep him sane. This pain was temporary. Victory was still obtainable as long as he didn't fucking break.

When the door opened, Adrik stood, and the cast fell to the ground. He was ready for whatever bullshit they tried. There was no losing.

Only when they brought him to the showers did he realize they were releasing him back to the general public. Adrik wanted to take a long, hot shower, but he feared it too much. He kept his eyes on the entrance, only washingfor a minute before he dressed. Mark was working overtime, keeping an eye down the hall. "Let's go." He ordered, and Adrik didn't question. They rushed to the REC area.

The inmates stopped talking and stared at him, not much different from his first day, but there was something dangerous in their attention. Typically, it was of awe or envy, but this was anger and displeasure. Apparently, he did something they didn't like. Adrik attempted to go up to Bony to ask about Helina and the extraction, but his big fat brother interrupted. Adrik backed down. He wasn't about to fight when he didn't know what was going on.

Adrik headed down the hall to his brother’s open cell. Alexei was doing push-ups, breathing heavily with every move. Sweat covered him, dripping off his chin, creating a dark, wet circle on the floor beneath him. Old bruises and a few cuts were healing. There were scars that Adrik couldn’t remember how he got, and only one tattoo, their family sigil, on his back left shoulder.

Feeling someone watching, Alexei snapped his head up. Bruises were fading over his eye and cheek. His dark brows tightened before dropping his gaze back to the floor and continuing his routine. Adrik noticed the wrap around two of his fingers and the way his left foot lifted off the ground. The guards had done damage to him, and it was Adrik’s fault. He probably should apologize, but if Alexei hadn’t gotten hooked on cocaine, Adrik wouldn’t have beaten up that dealer. So whose fault was it, really?

Alexei finally stood. He walked with a limp, his ankle or foot affecting him; Adrik couldn’t tell. Alexei snatched a towel off the bed to wipe off the sweat before he reached under his pillow and threw the phone back.

Adrik struggled to catch it, surprised by the force. “What the fuck’s your problem?”

Alexei approached, panting like a disgruntled bear. “If it ain’t Papa, it’s you.”

Adrik rolled his eyes, sticking the phone in his pocket. He leaned against the doorway, ready to hear the stupid, drugged-out reasoning for the comment.

“You think I can’t solve my own problems. In case you forget,littlebrother, I’m older. I’m the one that was made to take over this family. So don’t act like you fucking know better.”

Adrik scoffed. “You’re pissed I beat the shit out of your supplier? Didn’t get your hit this morning?”

“I told you I would stop!”

Adrik straightened his arms at his sides, fists at the ready. “Get out of my face.”

“You know what you’re fucking addicted to is control. You want to control everything and everyone. And when we don’t bend to your command, you make our lives fucking miserable. You’re just like Papa.”

Adrik took a step forward, forcing Alexei to take a step back. “I did you a fucking favor taking over this family. You want it back, Alexei? Then take it. And I’ll disappear, and I’ll get to do whatever the fuck I want and have you clean up my messes.” Adrik stood there, waiting for a reply, but Alexei only clenched his teeth and remained silent. He turned his back on his brother, hating how they had spent over a week apart, and all they could do was fight.

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