Page 80 of The Dark Side

Gil shrugged, confused about why he would ask. “I don’t know.”

Alexei laughed. “Yep, that’s all I need.” He dropped a hand on his brother’s shoulder, as a way to apologize.“I’ll hire more people on Monday.”He slapped Adrik’s cheek affectionately, but he turned away, unmoved.

Adrik continued to sit there as the boys left. He rubbed his fingers over the felt of the table, unsure if he should be stupid enough to show up in the movie theater, just for it to be empty. He should just go to bed. It was time to end what could never be. He glanced at his watch. 12:01 a.m. Adrik got up and took a last gulp of his whiskey before he moved out of the room.

Chapter thirty

Risk

Adrikleanedagainstthedoorway of the theater. It was a thirteen-seater, with big reclining chairs on an elevated surface. The screen was the entire width of the wall, and a movie played. A pathetic romcom that annoyed him. But he knew she'd pick nothing else.

Jolie sat in the center, curled up with a blanket. He stayed silent as he stared at the back of her head.

When he was away from her, the reasons for ending their budding relationship were apparent. He could name a dozen off the top of his head in seconds. But the moment he saw her face, all those logical facts disappeared.

It fucked with him because he wasn't the type of man that questioned himself. He chose with confidence and never second-guessed. To be a leader, he had to make difficult choices with conviction. Otherwise, his enemies would see a weakness in him and exploit it.

So, why couldn't he make this decision to leave her with just as much certainty?

"I didn't think you'd stay." Adrik slipped a hand in his pocket, keeping his distance.

Jolie paused the movie and didn't speak for a moment before a small whisper escaped, "Me either."

Adrik pushed himself into the room, moving forward till he stood behind her. She didn't turn around, her eyes dead set on the screen in front.

"Let's hear it," he said.

All her judgments would no doubt spew forth, only to confirm what he already knew. It would help him to end this doomed relationship. He needed to hear her call him a cheater. It was a pet peeve, and getting pissed off might be the only way to walk away from her.

Jolie whispered, "Why do you want me?"

His brows knitted. That wasn't an accusation. It wasn't a judgment.

"You are surrounded by beautiful women all day. Any one of them would bend over backward for you. Your father would approve, I'm sure. They would accept your lifestyle. There would be no risk. And you wouldn't have to choose. You can have all of them. It doesn't make any sense."

Everything she said was true.

But it sparked no desire in him.

A hand lowered to her hair. Adrik touched her scalp, tracing down her ear and along her jaw. Her head tilted back just a bit for his hand to cup the bottom of her jaw. A thumb brushed her lips.

This simple act ignited a storm in his gut.

Adrik swallowed and pulled away. "What movie did you pick?"

Her cheeks were red, and she watched him sit beside her, keeping his eyes on the screen. She didn't know why he wouldn't look at her, but if he felt even an ounce of what she did, then he was keeping distant because it was getting harder to stay away. She fought a smile, touching her lips where his thumb had graced her skin. "50 First Dates."

"Adam Sandler. I love this man.” Adrik pushed the button on his chair and leaned back, putting his feet up. "It is funnier in Russian."

Jolie sat there with a weight in her stomach that made her twist. She didn't know how he could act so normal when all she could do was fantasize. His touch was like fire, and it burned her cheek and lips, and she wondered if it would have the same effect if he touched other parts of her. "Is your brother alright?"

There was a stiffness in his reply. "He's fine."

With no other explanation, Jolie let the conversation drop. She saw Alexei sitting at the poker table, but it was dark, aside from the strobe light above the stripper pole. Too many distractions to really pay attention.

Jolie didn't know what to feel about it all. She knew his life would be different, but that was intense. She'd rather not think about it.

'Ignorance is bliss,'her mother said.'But stupidity is dangerous.'