Page 41 of The Dark Side

Jolie caved a little. "You come off as a stalker, you know that?"

Adrik cackled. "Yes. I'm sure I do. It's for my protection and has nothing to do with you."

"My bank account is for your protection?"

"When people are desperate to pay rent, they become dangerous."

"I wasn't desperate."

"I know."

Jolie didn't know why that made her feel good. But it didn't disregard the fact that he invaded her privacy when he could have just asked.

"Will you sit with me?"

Jolie was hesitant for obvious reasons. She didn't want to be his friend. She didn't want to get closer. She needed the distance to remind her of the destruction he could cause. But yet, her feet moved of their own accord. She took a deep breath and sat, nearly crying out from the pain.

Adrik observed her, curling a fist against the armrest. Her pain was a thorn in him that needed to be eradicated, and the only way to get it out was revenge. Any moment now, someone would text him and let him know that the culprit was caught. And from there, Adrik could have his vengeance.

"I can get you some pain pills."

"Tylenol is fine."

"That doesn't do shit for a broken rib."

Jolie was adamant. "I don't want anything."

Adrik chewed the inside of his cheek. Her pride was frustrating. She stared at the dark windows that now reflected them in the panels. He wanted to break into her walls, but perhaps it was better that she remained distant. It kept him in reality. "I want to go over how things will be here."

Jolie mumbled, "I'm sure Esfir will give me the rundown. I'll just use Google Translate."

"What I have to say is different."

Jolie glanced toward him. His countenance altered, like his words caused a burden on him that he didn't want to deal with.

"I brought you here to teach my daughter. To be a friend to her. To help shield her from the world I live in. This alone is a problem for my family. My father would have put a gun in her hands on her first birthday if he had his way. The Mafia is indoctrinated. It is grooming to create carelessness for life. I do not want that for Helina. It is why I keep her here in the United States. Katia, my wife, and my parents want me to send her to my uncle in Russia, and I will not do it. So, thank you for agreeing to come here. I am forceful when I shouldn't be. But I am a spoiled man. I get what I want."

Jolie scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Why do you do this?" He rolled his eyes, copying her dramatically, making Jolie hide a cackle behind her hand. He smiled. "I am honest, if nothing else."

"You're full of yourself."

"No. I am proud. And rightly so."

Jolie positioned herself to face him. "You want honesty?"

"Yes. I beg for it."

"I'm scared of you."

Adrik played with a ruby ring on his finger, twisting it. It was a good thing to be scared of, and usually, a bit of fear was precisely what Adrik wanted. Even his brothers had a tiny shred of apprehension in them. But from her, it was annoying. "Fear is good. It will keep you wise. But respect is better. Respect me, and you will have no reason to fear me."

"And you will do the same? Respect me?"

"Have I not shown respect?"

"Going through my things is not respectful."