Embracing the Dark Side (Morozov Mafia #2)

2. Occupational Hazard

Chapter two

Occupational Hazard

Alexei waited in the parking lot, staring down the driveway for the black car to pull in. He glanced over his shoulder at the main house, but his family wouldn’t come to the service driveway. It was packed with white catering vans, and people in suits moved about in a hurry to prepare for Adrik’s birthday. It was bitterness that made him think about the last time his father celebrated his birth, nearly ten years ago, for his eighteenth. It was the same day Yakov told him he would never approve of Melissa, his girlfriend at the time, and if Alexei didn’t get rid of her soon, Yakov would do it for him.

As soon as the car parked, Alexei didn’t wait for the driver to open the door; he grabbed the handle and yanked it back.

Sonya smiled up at him. “It’s bad, huh?”

Alexei held a hand out for her, and her painted red fingernails clenched in his hand as she stood. Her short bright-red dress exposed her fat tits and thick thighs, something that was a preferred quality in Alexei’s whores. With a hand on her back, he rushed her along the backside of the house and into the garage that led to the entertainment room. There was a side bedroom designed explicitly for secret liaisons. It wasn’t in good taste to walk by your mother with a hooker on your arm.

When the bedroom door shut, Alexei had her against the wall and yanked her dress down to her feet. She wore no bra or panties. He took each of her thighs and held them around his waist, carrying her to the bed.

“No conversation?” Sonya teased.

He dropped her carelessly on the mattress before he worked his belt. She lay back with her fingertips dancing along her stomach and thighs, watching with a smile.

“You’re angry,” she assessed, spreading her legs to expose herself.

“Shut up.” He tossed the belt, pulled off his shirt, toed off his shoes, and worked on his pants as he watched her fingers circle her hard nipple.

“I like it when you’re angry.”

Alexei looked down his nose at her. “You might not like it this time.”

“I doubt it.”

Alexei panted, staring at the ceiling. A thin shine of sweat decorated his skin, causing goosebumps when the air conditioner kicked on. His thoughts were quiet for once, and it relaxed him. Fucking was as good as a hit of CBD, and if he were more like his brother Gil, he could screw the hours away instead. But being with a woman always made him feel guilty.

An old girlfriend occupied the back of his mind like a swinging body hanging from a tree.

Sonya draped over his stomach, smoking a cigarette, and he watched the smoke swirl in the air. He hated the smell and the taste of her mouth. It was a sacrifice to fuck her. She had many talents and could handle his temper. Alexei finally shifted his gaze toward her. “You okay?”

She lazily smiled. “Of course.”

Alexei clenched his teeth and stared at the ceiling again.

“What happened?” Sonya wondered. “Daddy didn’t buy you the toy you wanted?”

He snatched the cigarette from between her lips and took a deep drag before he blew it out. “I’m in love with my brother’s girlfriend.”

Sonya giggled and she took the cigarette back. “What girl would date Gil?”

It didn’t matter Sonya got the wrong brother. He shouldn’t have said it to begin with. It couldn’t be true. There were many things not to like about Jolie. She was too much of a do-gooder, like the kind that makes you sick. Like the ones who go door-to-door, hoping to save you and introduce you to Jesus. She had an odd obsession with pandas and looked like a librarian when she wore glasses. He felt like he had to watch his mouth in front of her and pretend to be a good man.

Like Adrik’s fucking pretending.

Their relationship wasn’t going to last. Alexei could see it. She was too sweet, and Adrik was acid. So, he needed to stay out of it, and somehow get away from her. Because chances were Adrik would fuck it up, and Jolie would leave, and Alexei would never have to see her again.

If she can’t handle Adrik, there’s no fucking way she’d be able to handle me.

Alexei sat, propping a pillow behind him to keep himself up. “Ah, fuck.” A hand reached out to touch Sonya’s breasts. Bite marks littered her skin. He sometimes went overboard, but never this bad.

She only smiled and shrugged. “Occupational hazard.”

Along her neck were red welts, and the back of her thighs had his fingerprints. He flipped her over to do a full inspection, and Sonya giggled through the whole thing. “It’s fine, Mr. Morozov. I think I got as good as I gave.” She traced a few streaks of her fingernails down his chest and arm.

Alexei scoffed, rolling out of bed, annoyed with her for being so careless with her body. “What will you do when it’s someone worse than me?”

“It’s a good way to die, isn’t it?”

Alexei searched the ground for his pants, mumbling, “You’re as bad as my brother.”

“Gil has specific tastes.”

He shoved in a leg before he paused. “How would you know? I told you, you aren’t allowed to fuck him.”

“Girl talk. I obey, Mr. Morozov; you should know that by now.”

Her words sedated him. He never slept with the same girls his brothers had. Sonya was on his payroll, and he funded her expenditures. Her loyalty was a must.

It was another reason why Jolie’s revelation was devastating to hear. There had been hope before, a pathetic hope she would change her mind and realize he was better suited for her than Adrik was. Now, it didn’t matter .

Alexei held his hand out and pulled Sonya to her feet. She was wobbly, but it only made her giggle. “I love it when you call me,” Sonya admitted, buttoning up his pants for him before she laid her hands on his thick chest. “It’s very rare I cum more than once. But always with you, I get my fill for the month.”

Alexei was sure it was a line she told all her clients. Her bruises were more prominent, and that sickening guilt came back.

Sonya touched his brow. “How can a man as cruel as you care how you treat a whore?”

“Whore or not, you are still a woman, aren’t you?”

A smile spread across her swollen lips. “Careful, Mr. Morozov. A girl can fall in love with words like that.”

Alexei pulled away. “Well, don’t.” Alexei despised love. It was more a curse than anything. Love made people do dumb fucking things. It made people hope for more than they deserved. Adrik was a fucking idiot for what he was trying to do. It was something Alexei had learned years ago. He had loved a girl like Jolie once. Melissa was a fragile flower in his palm. She had sparked a life in Alexei no one since had been able to do. But because of his father, he had given Melissa up. Back then, at eighteen, Alexei didn’t think he had a choice. And maybe he didn’t. He wouldn’t have survived going up against Yakov then. Now, at almost twenty-nine, his father no longer held power over him. Alexei wondered how he would fair against Yakov if he didn't hold back.

Adrik was lucky to have met Jolie at an age that allowed him to stand up against their father.

The bitterness was strong. Why did Adrik get everything he wanted? It was never fair. And if Alexei could, he’d be jealous and hateful toward him, but Adrik was an annoyingly good brother.

It pissed Alexei off even more.

Noticing the time, Alexei cursed and snatched up his shirt. “I have to get ready. Can’t be late to the prince’s party.”

Sonya put her dress on as Alexei did up his shoes. “I like parties.”

Alexei snickered, sitting up. “I’d invite you, but…” He drifted, hoping she understood.

With a zip, Sonya turned to look at him. “Yes, your father would be livid. I would love to see his face, though.”

The moment she mentioned his father, Alexei’s thoughts started churning. One of his favorite things to do was piss off Yakov. Showing up with a whore would be entertaining and a perfect distraction. Plus, he could always screw her again.

“Are you free tonight?”