“You’re so funny.” I typed a response.
Me: Thanks, cuz!! That’s so cool!
Natalie: I saw you on the news! I couldn’t believe it. You were on TV in Paris.
Paris? What is she doing there?
I dialed her. I didn’t have the time, but I was being nosy. It was nice to have a distraction from my craziness. The phone rang twice.
Natalie answered. “Oh my. I must be important.”
“You are.” I laughed. “Thanks so much for all your support.”
“Come on, Ava. I’m your biggest fan. I must come and visit. Did Aunt Jackie tell you that we’re in Paris?”
“No.” I checked my watch and saw I only had forty minutes. “How long have you been there?”
“A few months.”
“Is Gwen with you?”
“Yep. And my son.”
I sighed. “I still have to meet him. It’s a damn shame.”
“Girl, you’ve been in Russia doing big things. That’s okay. But we’re closer now.”
“I’ll visit you soon. The theater is closing for the season. I’ll have a few weeks off.”
“They’re closing? Why?”
“Uh.” I tapped the phone. “There was an accident and some men died in the theater so. . .they’re closing as a sign of respect.”
“Sorry to hear that, but will it mess up any of your performances?”
“I hope not.”
“Me either.”
“Anyway, send me your address in Paris. Perhaps I can come this week.” I thought about Misha’s father. “I do have a funeral to go to, but. . .”
“The men’s funeral?”
“Oh no. My boyfriend’s father died. The funeral will be in Prague.”
“Wow. So he’s an international man?”
“Definitely.”
“I need to find me an international boo too.”
“Have you been dating over there in Paris? French guys are hot.”
“Not yet. I’m focused on dancing. I may not get to where you are, but I’m going to do something.”
My tone went serious. “Don’t ever say that, Natalie. You are a great dancer. And your path could take you well beyond us all. Especially now that you have some connections in the ballet world.”
She giggled. “Connections?”
“That’s right. St Petersburg should have never let me in the door. Now I’m bringing my whole family with me.”
“I hear you, Ava. And I’ll be stepping right on through.”
On her side of the line, a child cried off in the distance.
“Ava, I’m so sorry. I have to go.”
“Oh no. That’s fine. I do too.”
The boy’s cries rose.
“I see you later, cuz.” Natalie sounded out of breath. She must’ve been walking fast. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She’d already hung up.
I put the phone down, leaned back in my chair, and studied the vanity table. Hours ago, Misha had me bent over it. Tights and leotard ripped and dangling over my body. Moans spilling out of my parted lips.
God, that was so good.
A shudder of pleasure moved through me. I touched my mouth, remembering his full possession of my body.
I can’t wait to see him. This performance can’t be over fast enough.
Long ago, my only anticipation came from dancing. Now Misha rose to the head of the list.
His face flashed in my head. Misha had a sexy nerd look. Hot CEO. A dark techie vibe. His face didn’t say killer, it said I could make those panties wet, fuck you hard, make you cum twice, and after that fix your computer.
But I knew that it was a lie. He was a killer. That fact scared me. There was no way around it. Although he had a successful company, he also dealt in crime. He was right up there with his cousin, Kazimir.
But in the end, I couldn’t be without him. It was hard to make sense of that. I felt safe with Misha and so loved my soul burned. Due to that, I would ignore the slight terror and the worries of our future.
Someone knocked at my dressing room door.
I checked my watch.
Thirty minutes left.
I rose from the chair and opened the door.
My four guards stood outside. Two on the left and two on the right. In front of the doorway, Akiva glared at me. He had his own two guards on his side. No humor covered Akiva’s face. He wore a tuxedo. His hair was slicked back. He held a crystal vase with dark red roses inside it.
Many called him the King. Tonight, he looked like his other nickname—the Bull. Unfortunately for Akiva, I no longer feared him.
“Good evening, Ava.”
I frowned.
“Can I speak to you for a minute?”
“Go ahead and talk.”
“I would like to come into your dressing room and speak privately.”
“That’s not happening.”
“It’s tradition for the artistic director to share private words with his prima ballerina.”
“And?”
He gazed up at my guards and then returned his view to me.
“What do you want, Akiva?”
“Did you get my text today?”
“The one that said Misha couldn’t save me? I did.”
He smirked. “And what did your boyfriend think of my message?”
You think you can trap Misha so easily? Not happening. I won’t allow it.
“You’re not on his radar, Akiva.”