by Jayne Frost
“Something like that,” I replied.
A barely there smile curved her lips as she tossed back her vodka. “You are equivocating.”
It wasn’t a question and therefore didn’t require a response. But still, she waited, blue gaze digging into mine as she turned her glass round and round on her cocktail napkin.
“It’s complicated.”
What the fuck are you doing?
My closest friends didn’t know my secret. Gelsey didn’t know my secret. And here I was playing chicken with a woman I’d never met, daring her to excavate some long-buried truth.
“Everyone is entitled to their privacy, I guess.” Her tone belied the point, but I nodded anyway. “And, truthfully, I do not care what bad habit you have. But I do care about Gelsey.”
A bitter retort crawled up my throat. Did she think she was alone in that?
“I’ve already gotten the speech from Ivan,” I said coolly. “And I’ll tell you the same thing I told him. I love Gelsey. And I’m not planning on doing anything to hurt her career.”
A chuckle parted her lips, and she shook her head, looking down into her empty glass. “Nobody ever ‘plans’ to hurt the people they love.” When she lifted her gaze, her expression was soft. Almost mournful. “But sometimes, they cannot help themselves.”
Her honeyed tone did little to mask the blunt force of her declaration. Coercion was still coercion, even wrapped in silk. And that’s what this was.
Leave now, before you hurt her.
Like it was a certainty.
I could’ve told her to fuck right off. But something held me back.
Tatiana, like Ivan, had something rare. The courage of her convictions. She didn’t see me as a prize. And I wasn’t invited to this soiree so she could reach a hand into my pocket for a large donation. In fact, if I were reading her correctly, she’d just as soon never see me again.
Before I could make my case and tell her all the things I’d do to insure Gelsey’s happiness, my phone buzzed in my pocket. It shouldn’t have mattered, since I hadn’t answered the damn thing in days. But I reached for it without thinking. A lifeline I’d gladly take.
“I have to get this,” I said, already looking for a quiet spot.
Tatiana climbed to her feet with the same grace that Gelsey possessed. “You stay. I have to find Simon.” She patted my arm. “It was nice to meet you, Miles.”
A lie. The only one she’d let slip in the short time we’d been speaking. I let her have it and offered one of my own.
“You too.”
Gelsey
Glancing over my shoulder as I waited for Simon, I searched the room for rich, brown hair. With his height, it was usually easy to spot Miles in a crowd. But he wasn’t where I’d left him.
Sasha leaned close, her arm brushing mine. And to the outside observer it might have seemed like we were friends. But her touch was as icy as her tone.
“What is the matter? Afraid your boyfriend got distracted?”
Turning my head, I met pale blue eyes. An ocean of hatred. Even with everything Tatiana had revealed, I still couldn’t understand Sasha’s intense hostility.
A moment passed before her lips flatlined under my scrutiny. “What are you staring at?” she hissed, already retreating a little from my space.
Sasha was a bully. A mean girl who wasn’t a girl at all anymore, but a grown woman. In the real world, she wouldn’t be allowed to act like this. But she’d never lived in the real world.
For once I was grateful that Ivan had never let me believe the sun rose and set on my ass. If he had, this is what I might’ve become.
“Nothing,” I replied in a light tone. “And I think that’s what you’re afraid of.”
While Sasha blinked, no doubt dumbfounded by my boldness, Jelena took up the mantle, inching toward me with eyes blazing.
“Who do you think you are?” she growled. “We are the principal dancers in this Company. Not you.”
I offered my blandest stare. “Is that what you’re worried about? That I’m here to take your spot?”
A cold wind whipped around us. And I swear I saw the sisters shudder. I’d hit a nerve. Good. Best to disabuse them of the notion that I would stand by and let them berate me.
Before they could splutter a reply, I shrugged. “Well, you’re right. That’s exactly why I’m here.”
It was true. But the same could be said for any apprentice. Every dancer dreamed of becoming a principal. For some reason, though, Sasha and Jelena believed it could happen. That I could ascend to that level. Even if I wasn’t so sure.
Sasha finally managed to pull herself together, her eyebrows an angry pale slash over icy blue ponds. “Dream on. You are nothing more than a novelty. If you possessed true talent someone would have taken notice of you before.”
“Someone did.” A smile curved my lips. Sweet as honey. “Ivan Volkov.”
She blanched, but not from disdain. Ivan was her hero. And he’d shunned her. Because of me. Digging the knife any deeper would be overkill.
Instead, I turned my attention over her shoulder to where Simon was wrapping up his conversation with the deputy mayor. He smiled and waved me over with a flick of two fingers.
“I’d really love to continue our chat,” I said with a flutter of my lashes. “But Simon is calling me. Do vstrechi.”
Bony fingers wrapped around my arm as I made to slip between them. “As soon as the shine wears off you will be out,” Sasha hissed. “Until then, do not cross me.”
My gaze dipped to the rocks glass in Simon’s hand, then up to his face. His cheeks were a rosy color, hazel eyes a bit glazed as he spoke to Kieran, his chief choreographer.
For the last half hour they’d been throwing names around, mine included, for some concept ballet they were planning.
Thanks to my dad, I was an expert when it came to deciphering that special brand of hyperbole that accompanied a few drinks. The alcohol-infused machinations that lost their luster in the morning light.
That’s what this was.
No matter how much I’d impressed my new artistic director, apprentices didn’t dance in principal roles.
But maybe someday.
Zoning out, I scanned the room for Miles, deflating a little when I didn’t spot him in the crowd. I’d been stuck here for the better part of an hour and I was hoping to catch his eye, so he could rescue me. If my phone wasn’t currently in the pocket of his suit jacket, I’d text him.
“Gelsey?”
Startled, my gaze whipped to Simon, eyeing me with an amused smile. The rest of the table was quiet as well, proving I’d missed something important.
Way to go, Gels.
Clearing my throat, I forced my lips to bend. “Sorry. I didn’t catch that.”
Kieran chuckled into his next sip of wine. “Most of the ballerinas hang on your every word,” he said to Simon, his gaze roaming south from my face to my shoulders and beyond. “But I have a feeling this one is going to keep you on your toes.”
I shifted uncomfortably under his intense stare as light peals of laughter rang out. Simon rolled his eyes, then lifted his glass to the server for another drink.
“Alexis Rowland has a stress fracture in her foot,” he said once his order was squared away. “She’s scheduled to perform a small part in the showcase we’re doing next month. Nothing major. About seven minutes, total. I think you’d be perfect for it.” A hush fell over the table and he clasped his hands in front of him, all his focus on me. “What do you say?”
I looked over at Tatiana, quietly scrutinizing me from her perch next to Kieran. She nodded, a slight tilt to her lips that was almost a smile. But not quite.
After a moment when I still hadn’t answered, Simon added, “It would require you to begin rehearsals immediately. If that’s not something you can do, feel free to decline. No one will judge you.”
That wasn’t exactly true, since I caught Sasha and Jelena’s identical smirks when Simon offered me the out. They would
judge me. Along with the other dancers in the corps.
Swallowing hard, I willed my voice not to crack.
“I’m honored that you’d give me the opportunity. And, of course, I’m ready.”
Something was wrong. I felt it. The stiff set of Daryl’s shoulders as his eyes dug into mine from the door confirmed it.
I stood behind Simon, my stomach twisting as his voice rocketed around the room. While he thanked all the patrons for their donations, my gaze combed every inch of the place searching for Miles.
But he was nowhere.
Only sheer force of will and Tatiana at my side kept me glued to my spot.
Hearing my name, I stepped forward on autopilot.
“For any of you who haven’t met Gelsey Howard, the newest member of our tribe,” Simon began, his hand finding mine, “she comes to us from Austin, Texas where she began her dance career under the tutelage of Ivan Volkov.” He paused for dramatic effect. “And if Gelsey looks familiar, your eyes aren’t playing tricks. She’s the daughter of famed prima ballerina Katya Orlov.”
Shifting my feet at the smattering of applause, I fought to keep my smile in place. I wanted to tell them I wasn’t Katya. That I’d never be her.
What I really wanted was Miles.
He was the only one who made me feel adored for just being me. A queen in my own right. Not a pretender to the throne.
Another glimpse at Daryl only ratcheted up my concern. Because his eyes were on me, his attention solely focused on the patch of real estate where I stood.
Miles wasn’t here.
It was only thing that made sense.
I took a blind step in Daryl’s direction, but Simon squeezed my hand, snapping me out of my fog. I couldn’t just leave. Not with everyone looking at me.
Smiling, I took the flute of champagne the server offered, praying that Simon would be quick.
After ten minutes that felt like ten thousand, he finally raised his glass. Kieran and Tatiana joined our circle while Jelena and Sasha lingered behind. Even though I felt their resentment like sharp blades against my spine, I wanted to step back. Out of the spotlight.
But Simon held firm, his fingers locked around mine. “Cheers to a great season.”
As the crowd echoed his sentiment, he brushed a kiss to my cheek that I wasn’t expecting.
“Welcome to your new home, Gelsey.”
Gelsey
“Gone?” I repeated, blinking at Daryl like he was speaking a foreign language. “What do you mean he’s gone?”
Fear stole my rational thoughts, a tight band around my chest squeezing until I couldn’t breathe. Or talk.
Other people left. Disappeared. Disappointed.
But not Miles.
Taking me by the elbow, Daryl maneuvered us away from the small knot of people showing a keen interest in our conversation. “He’s on his way back to Austin,” he whispered. “Some kind of emergency.”
Forcing myself to concentrate, I pushed aside the ramblings from the child inside my head who always feared the worst.
Daryl was here. If Miles had taken off for no reason, the bodyguard would be combing the streets looking for him. Not standing in the middle of a party trying to keep me from freaking out.
“What else?” I asked, sure that he knew more than he was letting on. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Daryl scanned the crowd without really looking. “Not here.”
Whatever he was hiding, it was bad. Bad enough he didn’t want anyone to overhear.
“Let me go tell Tatiana I’m leaving.” As I turned, the anxiety hit me full force, and I grabbed his arm. “Please. Don’t go anywhere, okay?”
The crease between his brows disappeared for a moment, and he squeezed my fingers. “I’ll be right here.”
Infusing steel into my spine, I wove through the crowd, ignoring anyone who tried to get my attention. My stomach pitched when I spotted Tatiana, Simon, and Kieran schmoozing one of the bigger donors. An heiress with ties to Walton family.
Hovering right outside their circle, I tried to catch Tatiana’s eye. But it was Kieran who saw me first.
“Gelsey.” At his greeting, all eyes swung in my direction. “Join us. Tiffany has been dying to meet you.”
The platinum blonde flashed a brilliant smile. But even as I stepped forward, offering my hand, her gaze was all over the place, like she was looking for someone. Miles. Women had flocked to him all evening. Flirting. Undressing him with their eyes. Not that I could blame them.
“Pleased to meet you, Tiffany,” I said through a clenched smile before turning to Tatiana. “Can I speak to you for a moment, please?”
Her lips pinched with annoyance, but just as quickly it faded. “Certainly.”
After a quick nod to the others, she fell into step beside me, grabbing a glass of champagne off one of the server’s trays as we walked.
“Leaving so soon?” she asked as we tucked into a quiet corner.
The truth threatened to spill out, but at the last second, I thought of Ivan. All the lessons he’d drilled into me about discretion. And only telling someone as much as they needed to know.
“Yes. I’m heading back to Austin first thing in the morning, so I need to get some sleep.” Suspicion shrouded her features, but before she could voice her concerns, I added, “Simon said I’d need to start rehearsals immediately, so I decided it would be best to go now before things get too busy. I’ll be back in a couple of days.”
Lifting the flute to her lips, she searched my face. “You are eager to begin, then?”
“Of course. I can’t wait.”
My response flew out too quickly, even though it was the truth.
“And Miles? He is on board with your sudden move?”
I nodded weakly, afraid my voice might betray the apprehension churning in my stomach.
Tatiana smiled, then folded me into a quick hug. “Safe travels, then.” Just as I began to relax, she took me by the shoulders and looked me square in the eyes. “But know that if you are not back in three days to begin rehearsal, your spot will be forfeited.”
Daryl remained tightlipped, scanning for threats as we trekked the quarter mile from the Plaza to the Ritz. I knew better than to distract him, so I kept my eyes glued to the sidewalk, counting the cracks in the concrete.
Miles was gone.
Even though I knew it was true, my knees threatened to buckle when I entered the suite and surveyed the devastation. It looked like a tornado had ripped through the place. Every drawer was open, clothes on the bed and the floor.
Sinking onto the mattress, my heart slammed against my ribs when I spotted two empty mini-bottles of Jack on the nightstand next to a paper flower. A cherry blossom, fashioned from a scrap of the New York Times, perched atop a note on the hotel stationary.
The bloom all but fell apart in my hand, the folds coming undone as I ran my thumb over the uneven petals and read Miles’s note.
Gelsey,
I’ll explain everything later. Please, do what Daryl says.
I love you.
Daryl.
I’d almost forgotten he was there until I found him staring at me from his spot next to the door.
Dashing a tear from my cheek, I wobbled to my feet.
“Tell me everything you know. And don’t you dare leave anything out.”
Miles
The plane banked right, heading west. Away from Gelsey. And the life I thought was within my reach.
Outside the tiny window, the lights of the city grew fainter as we gained altitude, until all that was left was a shimmering pool of gold in a sea of black.
Snatching up the mini bottles of Jack I’d pilfered from the cart before takeoff, I pushed out of the plush seat. Years of sobriety and the three shots I’d sucked down in the hotel room made me a little unsteady on my feet.
“Mr. Cooper.” The lone flight attendant curved a hand around my bicep. “The captain said we should stay in our seats. There’s a storm over West Virginia
, and it might get a little bumpy.”
Spinning around, a bitter laugh rumbled low in my chest. “Well, if God is intent on finishing the job he started, I don’t think a seat belt is going to save me.”
Her eyes widened to the size of saucers, alarm etching her features as she took a step back.
One thing I knew from years of travel, it didn’t matter if I was paying for the private jet. Or the fucking crew. The pilot’s word was law up here. If he decided to ground this baby, I was fucked. One word from the nervous flight attendant and he just might do it.
Darting a gaze to her name tag, I plastered on an Oscar-worthy smile. “Sorry, Ella. My sense of humor takes a bad turn when I’m tired. I’m going to splash some water on my face, then I’ll be right back in my seat.”
Concern I didn’t deserve creased her brow. But she didn’t know me. Or what I’d done. Why I was flying to Austin in the middle of the night.
She only saw the smile and the aura of celebrity.
And I wasn’t above using it.
A ding rocketed around the cabin, followed by the captain’s announcement about cruising altitude and the turbulence in our path.
Ella stepped out of the way. “Guess you’d better hurry, then.”
With a nod, I brushed past her, my smile melting as I thundered toward the bedroom at the back of the plane. Once the door was locked behind me, I flopped onto the mattress and turned my face into the pillow. It still smelled like Gelsey. Like lavender and promise.
Blowing out a breath, I rolled onto my stomach, my phone in my hand. A string of Blake’s messages littered the screen. Long rambling notes that I’d never opened because I was too busy. But it was the last one from Dr. Sheppard that pierced me like a sharp blade.
Call me.
My eyes stung as I tapped out a reply.
I’m in the air. Any news?
