Page 12 of The Dark Side

"No."

"You held his daughter."

"To keep her from dying. I didn't know who she was."

"He'll thank you. One thing about the Morozovs is their generosity. You see, that's how they reel you in. They go to the poor sections of cities and give out money. They just hand people a thousand dollars. People who have never seen more than twenty bucks in their pocket. They lure them in with promises and then snag them for life." Mally chewed her lip, watching. "Have you gotten money for what you did?"

The untouched wad of cash tucked in a box under her bed flashed across Jolie's mind.

"No."

"Why are you lying for them? Did they threaten you?"

"No."

Yes.

"Then, why not tell me the truth?"

Jolie wasn't stupid. She saw Scarface. She knew what the Mafia did to snitches.

"I can get you in protective custody."

Jolie chewed on her fingernails.Why didn't I call my mom?

She wished she had her mother's words to guide her because she was confused. Why didn't she reveal Adrik? She didn't owe these people anything. She hadn't done anything wrong, yet why was she feeling punished? Should she have just left the little girl to her fate? It felt like everything was building into a giant ball, rolling unstoppable down a hill.

'Take my generosity and my advice,'Adrik said.'Repeat your story, and all will be well.'

"I don't need protective custody. I saved the little girl, gave her back to her family, and walked away."

"Who walks away from a shootout?"

"I was confused and in shock. I think I still am. I just wanted to go home."

"You said you saved the little girl." Mally straightened, pulling in all her pictures till she only had one: Jolie holding Helina. "Was she the target?"

Jolie's heart pounded in her throat. She tossed a hand, pretending bewilderment, hoping she hadn't just destroyed her life from something she couldn't possibly understand.

Mally stood up and pounded on the door. Another person came and opened it, and Mally whispered, "What if Adrik's control is slipping? What if the other families are going after him?"

The other person leaned into her ear. "Word is Yakov came home from Africa."

"Oh, shit," she cursed. Quickly, Mally swung around and returned to the table, slapping her hands on the metal. "Tell me what you know, or the next shoot-out—and I have a feeling it's going to be big—is going to be your fault."

Jolie sat back and crossed her arms.

Chapter six

Snitch

Adrikswamtothesteps, wiping the water from his face. He snatched a water gun off the rim of the pool and turned, aiming it for Helina, but she dived beneath the water only to come up sputtering and wide-eyed. He couldn't help smiling at her. She always managed to bring out happiness, like the sun in the middle of a storm.

I can't believe I almost lost her.

He dived after her, chasing her, making her squeal and shriek. But, like always, it was interrupted. He rarely had time to be with her. Alexei approached the pool. Adrik tossed Helina again and then waved to the nanny to care for her. Adrik exited the water, running his hands through his black hair to slick it back. He dripped his way over to Alexei.

Alexei cursed, backing up."Don't get me wet."