The Dancer

by Jordan Silver

This shit again. “How many kids have you put through school so far? How much money have you given to that society for unwed mothers?” He started listing off all the charitable donations I’d made over the years and I was dumbfounded.

  I hadn’t realized the lengths I’d gone to-to make up for my father’s sins. I hadn’t even realized that that’s what I’d been doing all along.

  I’m so afraid of being like him that I’ve practically lived my life trying to escape that shit. Now I had this girl who really needed me, who I really wanted, and I was afraid. Afraid I’d hurt her and fuck up her life.

  But I know I don’t have it in me to hurt her, not her. I’m as sure of that as I am that I’m breathing. He’s right, what the fuck have I been thinking? There’s no grey area here, it’s all just black and white.

  And since when have I been afraid of a slip of a girl? I’ve faced defense tackles three times her damn size and won. Hah! She’s in for it now. If she gives me any more of her shit I’ll just pop her one and drag her ass here.

  “I see your mind is finally working.” How the hell does he do that shit? “So what’s the plan?” Could he give me two seconds to get the shit together?

  “No plan yet, she’s just not spending another night in that place is all. I’ll think about the rest of it later.” I felt better about my decision once I got past the idea that things might be moving too fast.

  The bottom line was that I knew that place was dangerous, I knew she needed to be out of there and like I’d told her, my intentions weren’t about sex. Well not all of it anyway.

  Last night before I fell asleep I’d sat up watching her. She looked even more innocent while she slept and my heart had done that melting shit in my chest. I’d liked the feeling of protecting and watching over her way too much.

  It must’ve been the first time I’d stayed in bed with a woman without sex being part of the mix. But even as I watched over her in the night, emotion was stronger than lust. I should’ve known I was done for then.

  Then waking up with my arms wrapped around her had felt more than right. I think I knew then what move I would make, but I just needed to hear it spelt out by someone else. That way I don’t feel like a complete heel.

  If Tony was so set on me getting her out of there, I couldn’t be wrong. He would’ve told me if I was moving too fast. It was already enough that he liked her, his ass never likes anyone.

  And the fact that he was pushing me this hard meant that he knew it’s what I wanted. That I just needed a push to get me over the hurdles in my mind.

  “I’ve been handling her the way I would mom, with kid gloves. For some reason I keep getting the two of them mixed up in my head. Maybe it’s time I stop doing that shit.”

  Yeah, she’s not mom and I’m not my father. The fear in my gut had eased as well, now I could see a little more clearly. The only thing that mattered was taking care of her, protecting her.

  It didn’t matter that we’d only known each other for a short while, none of it mattered. And though I can’t predict the future and have no guarantees of what laid ahead, I know deep in my soul that I’d never hurt her.

  Chapter 18

  I tried timing her, going by the time we’d dropped her off and how long her class could be. She wasn’t answering her phone, pain in the ass, so I decided to sit on her apartment.

  It was Friday afternoon, so the place was a little livelier than it had been the last two times I’d been here, and I got a first hand view of what Tony was talking about.

  It wasn’t hard to detect the shady characters on the prowl and there were way too many of them. I saw drug deals sex deals and everything else in between going down right there on her street, and my resolve to get her out of there strengthened even more.

  Her building alone had way too much traffic going in and out. One of the reasons the main door didn’t lock no doubt. The thought of just what could happen in such circumstances left me cold.

  “How the hell did she find this place anyway?” Tony just shook his head at my question as we both watched the street for her approach. I had no idea what time she was expected back, but more than enough time had passed already.

  I rested my eyes for two seconds since I hadn’t gone back to bed at my place and my ass was tired. I’d spent the last few hours shopping, after trying to get my place ready for her.

  I had one of the guest bedrooms set up and waiting. Now that I think of it, I should’ve bought a lock for outside the door because sure as shit she’s going to fight me on this. I might have to spend the first few nights sitting up outside her damn bedroom door.

  No matter, since my mind was made up I had no doubt that I’d get my way. She may be hardheaded and stubborn, but she was no match for me. And if it seemed strange for me to go to these lengths, I’ll just have to prove to her that I have no ulterior motives.

  Well at least that I don’t mean to jump on her the first chance I get anyway. She’s smart enough to know by now that I mean her no harm. Plus sleeping next to her the night before without making a move should’ve earned me some points, I hope.

  “Where the hell is she?” I pulled my phone and hit redial. This time she answered on the third ring. “Where are you?” I could hear the sounds of a busy street in the background.

  “On my way home, why? Hold on…” She took the phone away from her ear, putting me on hold. Just then Tony sat up in his seat, his eyes focused to the left.

  “Oh shit!” His exclamation made me look in the same direction and I felt all the blood drain from my head. Some kid had his hands on her, around her shoulders to be exact.

  I didn’t think, just acted. I slammed out of the car with Tony calling after me. I’d dropped my phone on the car seat and watched now as she put hers back to her ear.

  I wasn’t fast enough and the kid walked away before I reached them. “Hey!” She jumped at my approach, her mouth falling open in surprise when I crowded her against the wall of the building behind her.

  Calm down Max, let her explain. My little pep talk didn’t work worth shit. I’m going to wring her

  fucking neck. Here I am, stressing over her ass and she had some kid sniffing around her and doing more than that if the way he had his hands on her was anything to go by.

  “Who is he?” I grabbed her by the front of her sweater and lifted her off her feet. Never put my hands on a female in my life, but swear to fuck I wanted to shake the fuck out of her.

  She had the nerve to look me dead in my eyes defiantly. Damn girl has no fear. I need this shit.

  “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” She tilted her damn chin at me, seemingly unaware of the danger she was in.

  “Oh you wanna waltz? Wrong fucking guy.” Pull back Max, this is wrong. I heard my inner warning but somehow couldn’t make myself comply.

  I heard running feet coming up behind me, but didn’t bother to look. I’m sure Tony had my back covered.

  “Hey, get your hands off my sister before I kick your ass.” I looked around to see the kid making his way back to us. That’s no kid, he might be young but he was built.

  ‘Travis, shush.” Sister huh, I put her back on her feet, but didn’t release her as he reached us. I could see the resemblance now that he was standing in front of me.

  He couldn’t be more than sixteen or seventeen, but he looked at me like he thought he could take me. “Who’s this fool?” He tried pushing his way between us.

  “He’s the…he’s the person I work for.” He glared at me pretty much the way she does before I saw recognition enter his eyes. His mouth dropped open before he broke into a grin.

  “Get out, Max Carrington. No way! You work for The Kid with The Golden Arm? Why didn’t you tell me?” I heard Tony snicker as he walked away. He’d been there the whole time.

  The kid forgot his anger quick enough as he studied me up and down with a boyish grin on his face. He had a sports drink in his hand and a travel bag on his shoulder.

  I took the hand he reac
hed out to me after releasing my hold on his sister. He started throwing questions at me until misery piped in.

  “If you two don’t mind, it’s a bit chilly out here.” She pulled her ugly jacket closed and zipped it up. “Let’s go.” I took her hand and walked the few feet to her apartment building.

  The kid never stopped talking the whole way up. A real football fanatic. “You play?” I looked back at him as he followed us up the stairs.

  “Yes sir. I’m starting quarterback at my high school.”

  “Where is that?”

  “Pickering Central. That’s in Ohio.”

  “Number twenty in the standing this year.”

  Now his eyes were open wide in surprise. “You know about my school?”

  “A little bit, I keep up with the stats for the top one hundred.” I’ll have to look into it farther. If the kid was a fan, and more importantly was himself a player, I can use that.

  I was also thinking that I now knew where she came from. That should make it easier for my guys to hunt down any information on her. The kid had already helped me and he didn’t even know it.

  Where his sister was quiet and reserved, he talked a mile a minute. Something that would usually make me want to run an electric drill through my eardrums. But I was all ears.

  Once in the apartment I didn’t waste any time. It was obvious that he was here to spend some time with her, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. He can have one of the other guest rooms for the weekend, which is what I thought he was here for.

  Standing in the middle of the living room, he looked from me to his sister and back with a questioning look. It was obvious from the look on his face that he didn’t like this place any more than I did. That could work in my favor.

  “Annabelle, go pack your stuff.”

  “Huh? What stuff?”

  “Whatever you need. I’m taking you out of here. Travis can come with us.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I told you, I don’t like this place it’s not safe.”

  “He has a point sis. Even I can tell that this place is all wrong.” Way to go kid!

  “You stay out of it.” He held up his hands and backed away from her with an eye roll sent in my direction.

  “Fine, if there’s nothing here you need we can just go.” I reached for her hand but she evaded me. “I’m not going anywhere what’s wrong with you?”

  I wasn’t falling into that trap again. She’d have me arguing in circles if I stepped into that one. I used a different tack this time, going around her instead.

  “Travis have you eaten?” He shook his head no at me. She looked like she wanted to strangle him. It was good to know that I’m not the only one at the wrong end of her wrath.

  “Come on, I was going to take your sister out for a late lunch, you can join us if you’d like.” I knew what his answer would be before I asked and was proved right when he headed back for the door.

  “Sweet, maybe you can give me some pointers huh!” Typical kid. Annabelle looked at him like he’d betrayed her. “We don’t need to go to lunch, I was going to make something here. Thanks anyway.”

  “Aw come on sis, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” He held the door open and I knew I had her when the look of indecision on her face warred with sisterly love.

  “Fine, but we’re coming right back here when we’re done.” That’s what she thinks. From the way the boy quirked his brow at me it was obvious he thought different. He had more sense than his damn infuriating sister.

  “Travis, leave your bag you’re not going to need it.” He looked from her to me again at her suggestion. All it took was a slight shake of my head for him to get the message.

  “Ah, I have some stuff in here that I might need. I don’t want to go through it right now. Come on sis I’m starving.” He rubbed his gut with a sorry look on his face.

  “You are? Why didn’t you say something before?” She met him at the door and patted his shoulder before looking back at me. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  Pain in the ass! I was the last one out the door and I fixed the lock so it wouldn’t close. Once downstairs I helped her into the backseat while letting Travis take the front next to Tony.

  I gave him the name of one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The kid kept up a running conversation, this time about the car. The two siblings were like night and day, since I couldn’t get a peep out of this one.

  She sat as far away from me as was possible, holding on to her gripe. From the way she was tapping her foot and biting into her lip I knew she was telling me off in her mind. Probably just waiting for the chance to light into me once we were alone.

  When we reached the restaurant I helped her out of the car and got my phone out. I sent Tony a quick text, which he read right away. I looked at him through the car window as he shook his head before driving away.

  Inside the restaurant she was back to being fidgety, but her brother’s presence seemed to put her more at ease. I sat next to her in the booth while he took the seat across from us.

  I could see from the way he watched us that he had read the situation well enough. I couldn’t tell from his expression whether he approved or not, but time will tell. I already had him half in the bag though, I was sure.

  “Order whatever you like Travis.” I’d seen his reaction to the prices on the menu. I was pointedly ignoring his sister who still had her face set in a frown. I had no doubt that she’d protest because of the prices, but I forgot about her and food. She doesn’t play around when it comes to food.

  After we placed our orders she excused herself to go to the restroom and I saw my chance. I waited until she was well out of earshot to get started on him. “So Travis, are you just here for the weekend?”

  “Uh!” He looked to where his sister had disappeared before turning back to me. “Not really.” He looked down at the bread basket the waitress had placed on the table.

  “Oh? Then you plan on going back to Ohio tonight?” He fidgeted around on his seat before looking up at me and away again. I could tell that he was trying to gather the courage to say something.

  “What is it? You have something on your mind?”

  “What do you want with my sister?”

  “Come again.” He lifted his head and looked at me this time. I had to give him points for guts.

  “I see the way you look at her. I watched you two in the car on the way here. You look at her a lot. I just want to know what your intentions are. My sister’s not like those groupies who follow athletes around.”

  “I’m aware of that.” I didn’t give him any more,

  waiting to see what else he had to say. I couldn’t fault him for looking out for his sister, after all I still vet anyone who gets too close to my mother, male or female.

  “That’s good then. It’s just….Annie acts tough but she’s really not. At least she didn’t use to be, but in the last year and a half or so she’s changed a lot…” He stopped talking and I could almost feel the sadness coming from him.

  I looked towards the hallway where she’d yet to reappear. “What happened a year and a half ago?” He too looked in the same direction before picking at one of the bread rolls and pulling it to pieces.

  “I’m not sure if I should be telling you this stuff. Annie…”

  “I’m not going to hurt her, but I can’t help if I don’t know.” He studied me now as if trying to see into my head.

  I guess he liked what he saw because with one last look to make sure she wasn’t coming, he opened up. “Back then everything was fine. Sis had just left to come to New York.”

  “Did you know she got accepted to six Ivy League schools? The only reason she didn’t get invited to the others is because she didn’t apply I think. Anyway, she was accepted to six schools and Juilliard.” I knew my girl was smart.

  “Have you ever seen her dance? She’s great. That’s all she’s ever wanted to be is a dancer. My parents allowed her to choo
se to follow her dream, so she denied the other top level schools and went to Juilliard.”

  “Then right out of the blue, almost overnight, everything changed. Our dad left us for his assistant who isn’t much older than Annie. He took everything, the house the cars, everything.”

  “By the time mom knew what was going on he’d already cleaned out the bank accounts. He hid his money in offshore accounts and the lawyers claimed they couldn’t find it.”

  Again he clenched his fists and his anger was plain to see. “Mom took it really hard. Annie wanted to come back home, but mom wouldn’t let her.” He stopped there and that sadness was more evident now.

  “I thought at least dad would take care of the two of us, but no dice. His new fling wouldn’t let him have anything to do with us apparently.” He looked for his sister again before continuing on.

  “I was too young to be of much help.” He swallowed hard and there was a sheen of tears in the eyes he kept turned away from me. He wasn’t fast enough to hide them.

  “Then one morning I went to wake mom before heading out the door for school and…” His hands trembled and he hid them in his lap while I got a bad feeling in my gut.

  “She didn’t wake up. She’d taken a whole bottle of sleeping pills the night before.” Well fuck!

  “Anyway, after the funeral where dad didn’t even show up, Annie changed schools.”

  He spoke faster now as if afraid she’d return before he got it all out and I tried to stay in my seat and not go after her. His words cut me to the core and the thought of my sweet girl going through something like that only made me want to take care of her even more.

  “She talked to me about it. She said going to Colombia and studying Chemical Engineering was more stable than being a professional dancer. Did you know she’s a prodigy? I wish I had half her brains, then I’d be able to help her.”

  It was almost as if I was no longer there, he was just talking to get shit off his chest. “I tried talking her out of it because I know how much dancing means to her, but she wouldn’t listen.”

  “Anyway, because she was too late accepting she missed out on housing and some other expenses that would’ve been covered if she’d gone there in the first place.”