Embracing the Dark Side (Morozov Mafia #2)

39. Downfall

Chapter thirty-nine

Downfall

Jolie stumbled through the house, unsure where she was or how to get out. There were so many rooms and so many hallways, like a labyrinth. It was the seven layers of Hell, and there was no escape. But she knew he’d be coming, the king of this dark world, and she forced herself onward. A light from a stairway gave her hope, and she ran up, latching onto the knob, thanking God for saving her.

But it was locked.

Jolie’s eyes widened. She was being denied heaven. God was turning his back. She had sunk too far to be forgiven. She was too stained to be cleaned. Jolie banged on it, begging, screaming, crying.

And then it fell open, and she fell into the light.

Tatianna stared down at her. “Sweetheart? Are you okay?” She reached for the girl, helping Jolie to her feet. Tatianna held her face, the look of pure terror etched on the poor girl’s features. “What were you doing down there? You shouldn’t explore this place.”

Jolie felt warmth after so much coldness, and it would have broken her if she wasn’t sure Adrik was coming. She pushed Tatianna and staggered down the hall. She was exhausted from the level of fear. Her limbs were numb, her mind in pieces. But she got to her room and slammed her back against the door. The betrayal was more than she could bear. Adrik took her innocence in his tattooed hands and squashed her. Her stomach ached. Her heart broke.

Tae-Tae meowed at her feet. It snapped her into survival mode. She had to get out and get as far from here as possible. She grabbed a box from the closet, dumping its random contents and snatching her shirts from the hangers. She darted all around the room, gathering the most important items to her. The frame of her parents and her at Disney, her graduation stuffed dog, and her toiletries. But in the middle of it, she stopped. None of it meant anything.

Tatianna poked her head in. “Honey, are you alright?”

Jolie’s voice wasn’t broken anymore. In survival mode, anger took over. “Ask your son,” she bit, putting the box on the bed. It was there she noticed a splash of blood had gotten on her skin. Panic made her dive for the bathroom, and she grabbed a washcloth, stuck her hands under the faucet, and scrubbed. Vincent’s face was in front of her, the blood pouring down from the cut she had inflicted.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Adrik’s voice boomed into the room.

His mother quickly turned to him and put a hand on his chest. “Let me handle it.”

He swiped at Tatianna, coming around. “Did I say you could leave?”

“I’m getting out of here.” Jolie continued to scrub till it hurt. “Away from you and this screwed-up house. You all are crazy.”

“You aren’t going anywhere. ”

Jolie snapped her head to him. “I’m your prisoner?” With Tatianna behind him, Jolie didn’t fear him as much as she should. Anger was making her rash and freeing her at the same time. “You gonna be like him? Keep me locked in my room and only come when you want to threaten or tame me? I’d rather die.” She snapped off the water and pushed past him.

Adrik snatched a hold of her arm. “You want to run to Mally? Tell her everything you saw?”

“Let go of me.”

Tatianna put a hand on both of them. “Let’s calm down. Adrik, you aren’t acting right. Don’t do something you’ll regret.”

He didn’t acknowledge her, staring down at Jolie. “You think you're better than me? Better than this? What does God think of liars? You’re going to Hell, just like I am. You ain't fucking better than anyone.” He shoved her away, and she stumbled, bracing against the wall. “Get the fuck out before I change my mind and string you up next to him.” Adrik backed up. “Don’t come back.”

Jolie didn’t move after he left. She stared after him, tears burning the back of her eyes. It had all been for revenge. She had hurt him, and so he hurt her. It was the way he worked. Pain for pain. Jolie reached for the bed just before her legs gave out. Tatianna wrapped her up, her head against her bosom, and Jolie just sat there, motionless.

“Don’t give up. If you love him, don’t give up.”

Jolie had never been more disgusted, more terrified, and more heartbroken than she was right now. How did she recover from that? How did she keep loving him with what he’s done ?

“He needs time. My son is heartbroken. He doesn’t mean it, sweetheart. I swear it.”

Jolie didn’t want to sit there and listen to a mother defend the atrocious actions of her son. She also couldn’t insult her. “I have to go.” Jolie stood but didn’t move otherwise.

“I’ll have guards go with you. Be careful. It’s dangerous out there.”

No, Jolie thought as she took up her box and walked out the door. It’s dangerous in here.

Tatianna watched Jolie’s car drive away from the doorway. She held her arms around herself, feeling more and more drift from her fingertips. It was karma, she knew. And she didn’t doubt there was more to come, but how can you stop an asteroid when you don’t know where or when it’s gonna hit?

Down the hall, she heard Adrik’s footsteps, and she turned to greet him, but he ignored her. “She’s gone.”

“Good,” he snapped back.

Tatianna followed him into his office. Did he realize how similar it was to Yakov’s? The wood, the smell of bourbon and cigars? It wasn’t Adrik’s style at all, but in his grief, he instinctively chose what brought him comfort. He sat in a leather chair, rubbing his eyes. When he noticed her, he straightened but opened his laptop to disregard her.

“What are you taking?”

Adrik typed on. “Taking?”

“Don’t be stupid with me. Think I don’t know a junkie when I see one?”

Adrik lifted his gaze, a warning on his brow. “Don’t attempt to be conscious now, Mama. Take your meds and go back to your coma.”

Tatianna rushed over and slammed the laptop shut, nearly getting his fingers. “I have lost all that you have and more. Don’t be a disrespectful shit. What drugs are you taking?”

Adrik sat back, stiff, and full of contempt. He despised her for calling him out, for noticing when she had barely noticed anything growing up. He wasn’t a child to be chastised. He knew what he was doing. And he didn’t need her help.

“Heroin? Cocaine?”

Adrik turned his gaze away from her.

She snatched his wrist, turning his arm to check his veins. “Cocaine, then.” Adrik yanked his arm back. “I bet you’re gonna tell me you can stop whenever you want.”

Her mockery pissed him off, and his hands fisted in his lap.

“Your father—”

“I don’t want to hear—”

“You’re going to. Sit and shut up.”

Adrik clenched his teeth, sitting back.

“Your father went through this. After his sister was killed—Luerna and her babies. He lost himself. He became a very dangerous man, not just to his enemies but to everyone who ever loved him. For a whole year, I grew afraid of him. I was already married to him then, pregnant with your sister. And there was no divorce in the Mafia, not back then. When he climbed out, he found out his actions had life-altering consequences. Things that can never be undone. So, I’m begging you to not lose your soul.”

He rubbed his temple. “That was very dramatic, Mama.”

She slapped her hand on the table, forcing his attention on her.

“Listen to me now. Your brother would not want you to do what you are doing.”

Adrik sneered. “I think I knew Alexei better than you. He didn’t mind causing pain. He never shied from a fight. And that is what I’m doing. You want to keep your dresses, and your drugs, and your houses? Then you will sit there and be quiet as I command this family.”

“Dresses? You think I give a fuck about dresses?” She darted around the table, falling to her knees to grip his hands, looking up at him. “Our family is what’s important. To protect it, we stay on top, and that gets us nice things, but nothing is as important as you, as your sisters and bro—” She stopped herself. Though she had forgiven Gil, there was no doubt that Adrik never would. It was best never to mention him again. “Your daughter. That is why we fight. And I want you to fight, Adrik, but not like this. Not risking the very part of you that I adore.”

Adrik leaned over her. He touched her cheek, and she leaned into his palm. He rested his forehead on hers. “The part that you adored, Mama, is on its way to Russia.”

She shook her head, gripping his face, keeping him close. “It’s not. I know you loved your brother, but he was not all that you are. You are a good man, Adrik. You have always been. Do you know how I know? You didn’t kill her. You didn’t kill Jolie for betraying you, for talking with the FBI when you and I both know that's what your father would have done. Be honest with yourself. You are trying to destroy your heart because you hurt, but it’s still there. I’m begging you. Don’t lose yourself in your grief. Because some women won’t endure. And it doesn’t make them weak. It makes them worth sacrificing for.”

Adrik stared at his mother; pieces of her that he’d never seen now existed in her face. She was desperate and pained, as if memories were pushing her to the surface, forcing her to feel. But it was a little too late for Adrik. He didn't want her desperate reasoning.

“You are more powerful than your father ever was. So, stop the drugs. Stop the downfall.”

Adrik licked his lips; the very thought of throwing away his stash made his mouth water with want. He didn’t think he could do it. And that’s when he realized he was addicted. It was a bitter pill to swallow because, up till this point, he hadn’t seen it as a problem. It was a solution to the loss. It brought solace when nothing else did. But that wasn't true, was it? Because Jolie had brought him peace.

“What did you do to Jolie, Adrik? Why did she run from the house?”

The memories flooded him then, and he squeezed his eyes closed, watching himself hold Jolie’s hand as he ripped through Vincent’s lips. He couldn’t tell his mother; he couldn’t say it out loud. Tatianna took his head in her hands, and he stared at the floor coming to the realization that he's fucked up, just how he always knew he would.