Page 34 of The Dark Side

Adrik stood with Gil. He threw two hundred dollars on the table, refusing to look at her. "Edik will take you home."

With her purse over her shoulder, she shifted in the seat, wincing with every movement. Adrik hated it and clenched his fists as he watched her. She used the table more than she needed to. Unable to stop himself, he grabbed her arm to help her stand, but she squealed in pain, and he released her like he touched a hot pan. The guilt on her face made him reach for her sleeve. A bruised handprint marred her skin. It was another dose of lighter fluid to a building inferno.

Adrik turned away from her, no longer sure he could hide what was happening inside him. He approached Edik. "Take her home. Inspect the house. Stay with her until I call."

Adrik walked out of the restaurant even as he heard Jolie yell his name. The door to his car was already open, and Gil was on his way to the passenger seat.

"Adrik, please." Jolie rushed to him, diving in front of him, with her hands on his chest. "It doesn't matter. I'm fine, I'm fine."

He kept moving. "You are not fine. Do not hurt yourself. Go with Edik." He went to get in the car, but she grabbed his arm.

"Don't kill anyone." She wrapped her arms around him, and he stopped. "Please, please. Don't. I couldn't live with myself."

Adrik kept his hands at his side as he stared outwardly, unable to give in to her demands even while knowing if he didn't, there was a chance she would never forgive him. It was too early in this budding 'friendship,' but how could he let anyone get away with hurting what belonged to him?

"Live with me," Adrik found himself saying.

Jolie pulled back, tears ruining her eyeliner.

"Be a tutor for my daughter."

The ultimatum was clear. Immerse herself in his life, or someone dies tonight. It wasn't an option. There was no choice, because the latter was too much. She felt defeated that he had snagged her, like a fish that had been swimming along enjoying life when a net wrapped around them and yanked them from the water. She felt like that fish, struggling to gasp for air.

Jolie could only nod.

"Edik will take you home. Rest. Someone will come tomorrow."

"And you promise, right? You aren't going to hurt anyone."

Adrik was hesitant, looking her over. He wasn't a liar, but he learned to skirt around the truth long ago. "I will leave it for the cops."

What she didn't understand was the police were in the palm of his hand.

The stress in her shoulders fell away, and she smiled. "Thank you."

Adrik dropped in the car and shut the door, watching as Edik directed her to the car. He didn't want to let her go, but he had no place by her side. Not when he was trying to pass her off as a tutor. He would have to pretend he didn't know her, if only to keep her safe.

Adrik waited until her car pulled away. "Drive."

Gil sat beside him."Am I calling Morgan?"

Morgan was their partner at the police station."Make sure they make it look like an accident."

"And what should we do about the Toxins? Why did they go after your girl?"

The Toxins were a small 200-person group that dwelled between Orlando and Tampa. They had their own company, selling guns to pimps and drug lords.

Why was a good question. Perhaps they saw Adrik and Jolie talking outside by the gym. But as far as he knew, he hadn't upset anyone in their gang, so why would they risk retribution?

"Interrupt their weapon distribution without looking obvious. A lost shipment or a missed payment. A turf war with the Garcias will kill them off."

"And you can continue to pretend with this woman."

Adrik curled his fist."I heard enough at dinner. I won't hear anymore."

"Be reasonable, Adrik. You know what you are risking."

There would always be a risk. No matter what he did. But there was no reward without risk.