Page 52 of The Dark Side

Yakov took this time to eye her up and down. She wore a training outfit that she more than likely got from Walmart. 'Eat, Pray, Run' was written on her shirt, summarizing everything he needed to know about her. Now that he thought about it, he doubted a job would ever come his way for someone like her. "And my sons are of no interest to you?"

"No," she answered too quickly, and nervousness spewed from her.

He nodded, pretending to believe her. "Good. You were hired as a tutor, and that is what you will do. Anything else will violate your contract, and I will turn you out faster than I gutted that lion." Yakov paused, enjoying the apprehension on her face, and then added, "You understand, Miss Bell?"

She swallowed and nodded. "Yes. Yes, sir," she corrected, and he liked that immensely. Even wild boars could be trained if struck with enough fear. With a dismissive wave, Jolie bolted out of the room and didn't breathe again until she was safe in her room.

Chapter nineteen

Swimming Lessons

JoliewatchedHelinawriteher letters from over her shoulder. The little girl was so eager to learn that after a week of tutoring, she was already reciting the English alphabet. Jolie was proud of her, and this was a feeling she loved. It's what got her into teaching. She wanted to build a healthy foundation on positive energy and positive reinforcement. Jolie clapped her hands when Helina finished writing her name.

Helina jumped out of her chair and spun in a circle before plopping back down. Her excitement was palpable, and Jolie admired it. In this awkward world where Jolie felt more fear than ever before, Helina was her shining star. And though it might be odd to say, she was definitely Jolie's only friend.

At lunch, Helina pulled at her hand to join her. Jolie hadn't spent much time out of her room other than tutoring and morning runs. She had found the pen still hidden in the bushes two days later. She pretended to fall into the bush because of the escort behind her. It wasn't one of her proudest moments.

But what was her purpose for the pen? Jolie still hadn't figured it out. She wanted to bring down Yakov but didn't want to hurt Adrik. But the reality was they were entwined. There wasn't a way to do one without the other.

It's been a few days since she had seen the mysterious mafia man. She hoped she'd stop whatever was developing inside her by keeping away. Yet, she prayed Adrik would stop by every night, but he never did.

Jolie told herself it was for the best despite how disappointed she woke up every morning.

Helina disappeared into the kitchen, where Jolie was sure she couldn't go. Instead, out the window, she noticed Adrik and Alexei at the pool, and her heart started to pound in her chest.

Adrik stretched out in a lounge chair, dressed in a swimsuit and Bentley sunglasses. He looked everything like aPlaygirlmodel. His tattoos hugged every muscle. His arms, his chest, his back, and his legs—there wasn't a place that hadn't been touched. And with a terrible yet stomach-dropping thought, she wondered what she'd find beneath his swim shorts.

Stop it!she scolded herself.Ted Bundy. Murderer. Bad. Bad. Bad.

Jolie forced her eyes off him, and they fell on his brother. Alexei sat on the edge of a chair, with his phone in his hands. He wore workout shorts and a tank; his muscles were as built as a bodybuilder's, with pulsing veins. He must have just come from working out because his skin shined from sweat. Unlike his brother, Alexei had no tattoos on him that she could see. He was just as gorgeous, but his strength made him scarier. Even if he was nicer to her.

Jolie found her eyes gravitating back to Adrik. There were dozens of people on the pool deck, but she only wanted to look at him.

Helina popped back into the room, and Jolie jumped with a little squeal, a hand quickly on her heart.

Still got that PTSD. Good to know.Jolie smiled reassuringly and took Helina's hand, leading her to the lunch table where their sandwiches awaited.

Alexei hated this heat. Even with an umbrella hanging over him, he was sweating. Alexei took the edge of his shirt and rubbed his face. It was days like today he wished he still lived in Russia. The sun was barely visible half the time and typically matched his mood. But going back without Adrik was not an option anymore and hadn't been for the last few years.

Alexei held his phone out, rereading the text message from their father."'We will be celebrating Adrik's twenty-eighth birthday. Make it extravagant.'"

Adrik groaned from the chair beside him."I'm not a fucking kid."

Alexei shrugged, trying to be encouraging."It will be fun."

"And it's a month away. Why is he even talking about it?"

Alexei glanced back at him, and playfully said,"Maybe he's got a surprise for you. What if he wants to give you the keys to the kingdom?"

Adrik snapped his head to his brother. Was that a possibility? It's something he's been waiting years for. But there was plenty of doubt. His father was too controlling to give anything up willingly.

Adrik noticed movement in the house, and as Jolie walked up to the window, he saw her. His sunglasses were too dark for her to notice him staring right at her. He spent the last five days away from her, and now, finally seeing her face brought a fresh wave of hunger that couldn't be sated with food.

"Mama's coming."Adrik vaguely said,"Ask her to plan it."

"What's the tutor doing?"Alexei casually questioned, looking up at her room."Maybe she'll like to do it."

Adrik smirked."You got a hard-on for teacher, don't you? Lesbian and all."