Page 46 of The Dark Side

Yakov cackled, and it sprung a smirk from Adrik."My son has better taste than that, Katia. Jealousy is an ugly color on you, my girl. Try to do better."

Katia stood roughly."I'm not 'your girl.'"With that, she fled the table.

Jolie turned with wide eyes, looking at the three men with confusion. Alexei sent her a reassuring smile and shrug.

Yakov picked up the paper again."Is there a chance she's pregnant? Her temper as of late has been odd."

Adrik bit,"How the fuck should I know?"

"She is your wife."

Adrik shifted, relieved this conversation was in Russian. He twisted his head as if he was looking for a servant, holding up his half cup of coffee. Jolie and Alexei was sitting close together, talking. She giggled, shaking her head. It unnerved him.

"You need an heir."

Adrik waited for the servant to fill his cup before he sat back and grabbed his phone."I have Helina."

"Don't be foolish. Even in this odd generation, a woman cannot run a mafia family. She'll be good for developing a partnership. Perhaps with a cartel in the south."

Adrik could feel the boiling of his temper. He rolled his fist, clenching his teeth to get his voice under control."You sold all my sisters like cattle. I will not let you sell my daughter."

Yakov folded up the newspaper and held it out for a servant. They came quickly and replaced it with a cigar. It was already prepped, and he put it between his lips as the servant lit the tip. He took a drag and blew it out toward his son's face. Adrik turned his head away like he had been slapped."Watch your tone."

Alexei got up, sensing a building argument. He pulled on Jolie's arm even as she tried to eat. "Let's see if Helina's awake. She'll be thrilled to see you."

Adrik dropped his phone on the table as they escaped and used the time to calm himself. He couldn't allow his emotions to build. He had to dismantle it like a Jenga tower, one piece at a time. He glanced behind him, making sure they were gone.

Yakov began,"I'm allowing a tutor, but if you think she has any other purpose, you fool yourself."

Adrik looked at him."You aren't allowing anything. If I want a tutor for my daughter, she gets one."

Yakov leaned forward."Son, I understand you cherish Helina. I do as well. And if this world was different, I would be encouraging. But this is the life we have."

"How can I accept anything but the best for her?"

"I'm not saying she won't get the best. She will have everything. She can learn languages, art, and any instrument she wants. I want only a smile on her face. But she is no heir. So, if you want her to be able to choose who she marries and the kind of life she wants, then you must get your wife pregnant with a boy."

The thought made him sick."I don't want to touch Katia."

"She is a beautiful woman. Where is the problem?"

Adrik chewed the inside of his cheek as he stared out at the pool. His father knew what Katia did and still acted like nothing was wrong. Adrik's disgust for Katia was more than just physical. It was in everything she said and did. It was in her looks. In her personality. In her smell. In the way she dressed. Her existence was a reminder of her betrayal. He couldn't let it go, even years later.

"Marriage comes with plenty of problems. I hear therapy works wonders."

"I wanted a marriage like you and momma."

"You think your mother and I don't have problems? Where is she now? In Russia because she's upset with me. Women are emotional and too much work. I did not enjoy your mother's presence until she produced me a son."

"Do my four sisters account for nothing?"Adrik bit, disgusted by the insinuation.

Yakov cackled."It was a joke, boy."

If his father wanted a joke, Adrik would provide."If I kill you, I can do whatever I want."

Yakov cackled adoringly."Perhaps now you stand a chance, but that is why I married you off so young."Yakov winked at him with a proud grin. He slapped his son's shoulder, squeezing,“Put a bag on her head if it helps. But I want her pregnant by the end of the year."

Adrik remained there long after his father left. The walls felt like they were tightening around him, and he was struggling to get out, but no key would work on the locks. He thought by becoming the heir, there would be fewer chains strapped to his wrists, but instead, they kept piling on. How was he supposed to make a better life for his daughter if he couldn't even make a better life for himself?