Page 57 of The Dark Side

"I don't give a shit. Tell him I'm barren. Tell him you can't get it up. I don't get you sometimes, Adrik. You act like such a badass, but then Daddy says something, and you become a little bitch."

Adrik stepped forward, and she quickly moved to her knees, both hands on the hilt. He thought of how he'd snatch it out of her hand, press it against her neck, and make her regret ever challenging him.

"You should know by now he always gets his way."

"You are more powerful than him."

Adrik shook his head. "That's what he wants us to think." Dizziness overcame him, and he stumbled back till he hit the door.

"You can't fuck anyway. How much have you drunk?"

He couldn't remember.

"I'll pretend." She lowered the knife back beneath the blanket. "I'll say something tomorrow about being up late. We can pretend."

It sounded nice. And if it worked, that would be great. But it had to be convincing.

Adrik pulled his shirt over his head. Her eyes were wide, panicked. Despite how she said she would fight, if he attempted, she'd have to cave. It was part of the contract. She wanted to act like he was the only one who followed orders.

Adrik tossed his shirt on the floor.

Taking his lead, Katia got up and messed up the neatly made bed, pulling all the sheets into a big pile. With the cover of her nightgown, she pulled her panties off and left them on the floor. She looked at him, hoping that was enough.

"You better put on a good show. Or I'll have to."

She nodded, trembling.

Adrik stayed for five more minutes before he left, shutting the door. It was a relief and a brand-new stress all at once. He didn't know if getting it over with was better. What would the punishment be if his father found out about his lie?

Adrik walked down the hallway, sluggish, with a hand on the wall to help keep him steady. His feet stopped of their own accord when his fingers dragged across Jolie's door. He stared at the doorknob, imagining what would happen if he were to go inside. Would she welcome him to her bed? With a single touch, she'd heal all the damage inflicted on his soul. He'd be brand-new again, unsoiled by the sludge. She'd find the parts of him buried beneath his father's world. He'd be different somehow in her hands. Better.

Adrik glanced behind him and found Katia standing in the doorway. She met his gaze, reading him in an instant. Katia knew what he was feeling even though he still wasn't quite sure. She knew because she had felt it once.

Adrik realized then that she'd never forgive him for killing her lover. And in the unstable mess of his mind, he wondered what she would do to exact revenge.

Adrik turned away, too tired to think more of it.

Chapter twenty-one

Two Years

Adriktookaseatat the breakfast table, with his coffee and cell phone. He scrolled with his thumb, searching for anything interesting in the news. Sometimes, the media was faster than his own people. It was because of the chain of command that kept information slow. Like the military, there were levels. The lowest soldier could only speak to the next in command, and so on and so forth. To the lower levels, he was a ghost, a figment of their nightmares, the god they worshiped, and the devil they feared.

That being said, news sometimes took time to pass through the ranks, making the media outlet the second-best thing.

He was searching for Katia's brother.

Zinof Stephanov was the third-born son of the Stephanov family. He was insignificant, aside from being very protective of his younger sister. He had been against Katia's marriage, even insulting them by refusing to come to the wedding.

And now, he tried to kill their daughter.

Zinof's life was forfeited. He knew it, which was why he went underground.

The thing about guys like Zinof was they wanted attention and to feel important, which meant he wouldn't hide for long. The ache for the spotlight would drive him to the surface. All Adrik had to do was pay attention to the tide.

"Good morning."

Adrik snapped his head up as Jolie sat at the breakfast table. He was becoming desperate to see her. She was dressed in a tight maxi dress that exemplified her bust and the shape of her hips. It was a modest dress, but she looked amazing, nonetheless.