Page 91 of The Dark Side

Now, she laughed full-heartedly without a care who she disrupted.

Alexei enjoyed every laugh he received. It encouraged him to keep going. He kept his laughter silent, usually taking a drink to suppress it, but he was actually having a good time for once.

One too many times, he caught Adrik's gaze. Jealousy was an uncommon emotion in his brother, and Alexei was surprised at how much he liked seeing it. There had never been a moment in their lives that Adrik was jealous ofhim.It made him feel foolishly powerful. Which was dangerous, he knew.

Alexei slipped his gaze down the table. He was ten seats away from his father. The distance was purposeful, a way to tell Yakov he was far from forgiven. There was no going back. Alexei was done hoping things between them would eventually get better. Yakov had destroyed his pride, having beaten him like a pathetic little kid. He couldn't risk being put in such a position again, not just for his sanity but for his brother. Adrik wouldn't hold back next time. And Alexei wouldn't stop him.

Yakov walked down the line, talking to family members. Alexei took his drink in his hand, clenching it when his father rested a hand on his shoulder. It was a gesture meant to be affectionate, but it made Alexei cringe. "You enjoying yourself, Miss Bell?"

Jolie shifted slightly to look up at him, "Yes, sir, thank you."

"Yes." He added, "We've all noticed."

Jolie stuttered as she stared at her plate. "I'm-I'm sorry—

"No." Alexei gained her attention. "Don't be."

Yakov leaned into his son's ear, and whispered in Russian,"I thought I told you not to bring her."

Alexei turned his head toward Adrik. His brother monitored their exchange, and Alexei raised a finger, a quiet, subtle gesture to tell Adrik he was alright."I thought I made it clear I don't follow your rules."

Yakov squeezed him harder and was about to respond when Tatianna came up behind him."Did you see who came? Agent Mally. Let us greet our longtime friend."

His father's hand drifted from his back, and Alexei watched them walk down the line, greeting the FBI agent with patronizing excitement. He stared at the back of his father's head, imagining what it would be like to put a bullet through it.

"Are you okay?" Jolie questioned, a hand on his forearm. The touch pulled him, a pleasant distraction that he focused on. He was glad she didn't know Russian.

"My father was raised in an old tradition where a woman is seen and not heard. I, however, was raised by my mother." They change their direction to see Tatianna giggling at something Mally said. "I know better." Dutifully, Alexei added, "And so does my brother."

Jolie snapped her head back to the table. Mally was here. This woman was insane. Why would she come to a lion's den? Did she have no fear? The tension that had faded over the last few days returned with a vengeance, and Jolie struggled to keep her fingers from shaking. Mally was more conniving than Jolie understood. How had she managed to come to a private, invitation-only dinner?

What if she tries to talk to me here? She'll expose me.

Jolie had to tell Adrik before Mally did. She'd be able to get him to understand that she hadn't wanted to do it, but she felt forced. It was never her intention to betray him.

Is that what I'm doing? Betraying him? But I haven't given Mally anything.

Alexei stood, cutting into Jolie's panic. "Excuse me, princess, I've been summoned." He motioned to Adrik, who was now standing with Gil and two other people.

"Oh, don't leave me." Jolie grabbed onto his hand. He had become her protector at this party, and she dreaded any moment without him.

Alexei chuckled, squeezing her fingers. "You're strong; you can handle it. As long as Katia doesn't talk to you." They both glanced toward her, and her consistent look of contempt was as constant as Adrik's scowl of envy. "Good luck," Alexei winced, regretfully slipping out of her fingers.

The smile couldn't stay off his lips even as he was accosted by cousins, hungry to know who the woman was and if he was really dating an American. The disgust and judgment theydidn'ttry to hide were noticeable in their glances and lip curls.

Alexei excused himself after answering a few questions, ignoring the insults about her state of dress and her less-than-perfect features, and joined his brothers in their circle.

Gil was the first to comment,"Looks like you and the tutor are having a good night."

Alexei held a drink, dodging Adrik's gaze as he stared at the liquor, swooshing it around, and carelessly said,"She's fun."

"Any sparks flying?"

Adrik interrupted,"Enough."He clenched the glass in his hand, watching his brother, waiting for his attention, but Alexei was distant. Perhaps he put too much faith in his brother's loyalty. Alexei had feelings for Jolie; no amount of denial could erase the way his brother laughed.

But that wasn't a conversation for this place. Adrik turned his attention to his cousin."How much are you willing to sell your stock for?"

Jolie left the table, unwilling to sit and meet the prying eyes of strangers. Alexei had introduced her to most of them, cousins and aunts and uncles, but it was apparent none of them approved of her. The word,americanum, was easy to figure out. Being American was a problem for all of them. Thankfully, most of the night was spoken in English, as the younger generation wasn't as bilingual as they should be, so she was more aware of the festivities. The amount of love Yakov showed his wife was surprising. He gushed on her every chance he got, making a speech in her honor and showing her rare affection that she adored, leaning into him and smiling nonstop.