He scowled. “The Lion will know about this.”
“He will, but wait until the morning to call and tell him.”
“I won’t.”
“You will or you’ll never make it to the hospital.” I shrugged. “You may not even make it out of my city.”
Pavel widened his eyes. “More threats?”
“They’re warnings. Someone will be listening to your phone. You tell Kazimir before the morning and I’ll tie your hair up in a ponytail using your intestines.” I kissed at the air and walked off. “It was a pleasure talking to you.”
He yelled at my back. “Next time I see you, I’m going to shoot you!”
“Sir?” One of my guards got in front of me. “What do we do with him?”
“Take him to the hospital. Have someone hack into his phone and watch all his communications until he leaves the city.” I gave him the gun, walked off, and massaged the ache in my testicles again.
Maxwell hit my side. “That was intense.”
“It was.”
“But one thing I must admit.”
“What?”
Maxwell smirked. “The motherfucker is a bit mesmerizing.”
“Would you like me to set that up for you?”
“Hell no, man. I don’t like dudes.” He chuckled. “But even if I did, I wouldn’t need help getting dates.”
I checked behind me. Several of my people picked Pavel up and carried him out of the alley. The rest guided his men away to a van.
Maxwell opened the door for me. “How are your balls, man?”
“They’ve had better nights.” I stopped rubbing them, opened the door, and entered back into the theater.
“You need to put some ice on them. You don’t want them to swell. If not, you won’t be able to show Ava how much you dig her later.”
“And you’re an expert on sore testicles?”
“I actually am. Sometimes chicks get mad when I hit it and don’t call them later. A few have kneed me. One hit me in the crotch with the end of a baseball bat. That shit had me out for a week.”
I turned his way. “Damn.”
“I don’t hit women, but that was one time when I wanted to. Thankfully, Em was there to do it for me.”
“She punched the woman out?”
“Naw. Em took the bat and put the chick in the hospital.”Chapter 4
Ava
The performance ended with a standing ovation.
Full of adrenaline, I hurried away from the stage, grinning from ear to ear.
Yefim handed me a towel. “I don’t understand the story, but your character is my favorite.”
“Thanks.”
He returned his expression to a silent threat and kept my pace. The rest of my guards followed.
“Ava!” someone yelled behind me. “Ava!”
I spun around.
Alyssa hurried over. “You were amazing.”
“Thanks.” I wiped sweat from my forehead with the towel. “You too.”
“Sure, but listen. You always do a great job, but tonight. . .” She shook her hands in the air and shrieked. “Oh my God!! That was insane. No one will be able to dance as Nikiya after that.”
I blushed.
She clapped her hands. “We have to celebrate.”
Other ballerinas circled us.
Yefim and my guards backed away.
“Yes! Celebration!” one hooted. “Lots of drinks! We’re on break.”
Alyssa grinned. “There’s no pimp after-party this evening with the stallions.”
There were all types of balletomanes in our world—which were ballet fans and enthusiasts. Among our company, we called the rich male balletomane, stallions. These were the fans that liked us for more than our dancing. They made a sport of sleeping with us. Season after season, I watched other ballerinas be dined and spoiled by many rich guys. The next season the men would be with another ballerina.
I widened my eyes. “The theater canceled the after-party?”
“Yes.” Isabella came over to us. Her red strands stuck to her forehead. “We’re all free to enjoy our evening. Let’s go dance and drink.”
“Dance?” Alyssa rolled her eyes. “I’m thinking eating and lots of alcohol.”
“Somebody said food?” Ulyana ducked her head in our little circle of chatting. “Where are we going?”
They all turned to me.
“Oh.” I blinked my eyes. “I’m coming?”
“You’re the guest of honor.” Alyssa giggled. “You must come. Everything is on us! We’ll pay for everything and—”
“No.” A deep voice sounded behind me. “Drinks and food are on me.”
We turned in the direction of the voice. I knew the face that would greet my eyes.
Misha stood before us, dressed impeccably in a designer tuxedo, representing his signature style of elegance. I was shocked diamonds and money didn’t fall from the hems. Food and drinks left my mind. I desperately yearned to take that suit off him.
“You were spellbinding this evening. All felt your power.” Misha handed me a bouquet of red roses. I hadn’t even noticed them in his hands. A few of the ballerinas giggled behind me.
“We should celebrate.” He leaned my way and kissed me on the check. “You thrilled the whole theater. I heard many complain about the season being on break. They want more. You’ve turned them into addicts.”