by Kenya Wright
“This is a great story.” Pavel’s eyes went dead. “Why don’t you finish telling me on the plane?”
“You have two options.” I held up one finger. “First, walk out of this alley, head to the airport, and leave my city. I’ll see you in Paris in the morning. We’ll laugh about this over a nice stiff vodka.”
“I don’t like vodka and you’ll leave with me now.”
I held up a second finger. “Or the next option is for me to shoot you. It won’t be deadly. I like you too much for that. You’re comical.”
“You won’t shoot me.”
I checked my watch.
Ava should be on stage now.
“Goodbye, Pavel. I’ll see you in Paris tomorrow.” I walked past him.
He grabbed my arm. “I don’t care about how many men you have in this alley. The Lion asked me to get you. I won’t leave without you.”
“Kazimir chose his lapdog well.” I frowned at his hands on me. “And I don’t need my men.”
“You do, Mosquito.”
I gave the gun to Maxwell. “Hold this for me.”
Maxwell took it. “You sure you don’t want to just shoot him?”
I shook my head. “He needs a short lesson.”
Pavel smirked.
I glanced back at my men. “Put your guns up and step back. Give us room.”
Pavel fisted his hands at his sides. A small breeze brushed through his long tresses.
I scowled. “I won’t slap you. It’ll be like hitting a female.”
“I prefer a nice punch to the jaw.” Pavel pointed at his face. “If you can get your hand there fast enough I might let you stay for a few minutes to watch your ballerina.”
“Interesting.” I tilted his way. “And what if I can get you on the ground?”
“Then I’ll give you the whole evening.”
Pavel’s men appeared confused. They were all tensed up in a shallow semicircle around him.
Fast, I punched him in the gut. Grunting, Pavel hunched over from the impact and then grabbed my balls in one hard grip.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” I slammed his arm.
He kept his grip on my balls but loosened the pressure. “Relax or I’ll rip your cock off.”
I kept my hands in the air. “Have you lost it?”
Smiling, Pavel gestured at my cock. “No. It’s right here.”
“What type of man grabs another’s cock?”
“A smart one.” Pavel tightened the grip on my testicles.
Pushing through the pain, I lowered my voice. “If you wanted to touch it, all you had to do was ask.”
“No way. Sometimes, I like to take what I want.” He twisted them a little.
I grunted in pain.
He tightened his hold, squeezing the shit out of my balls. “Many men don’t think of the testicles as a weak spot for men. I find it to be the number one spot to bring down an opponent.”
“Yo.” Maxwell handed me the gun. “This is getting weird.”
I grabbed it.
Pavel squeezed some more. “Drop the gun.”
I pointed the gun at his leg and shot. “Fuck you.”
The bullet hit him good.
“Ah!” He let go of my testicles and fell to the ground. His men went to him.
I rubbed my balls. “Get his perverted ass out of here.”
“Give me a gun!” Pavel yelled at his men. “Give me one now!”
I signaled at my men. “Take their weapons. If they don’t hand them over, shoot them in the head. I’m done with this.”
Pavel looked my way and gradually rose. But he couldn’t do so in a normal fashion. It was a slow-motion affair, lasting several seconds, and complete with a hair flip of mega proportion. His strands rose and flowed in the air as if someone had a blow dryer in front of him. And only when those strands gently fell past his shoulders, did he glare my way. “You shot me.”
“You grabbed my balls.”
Someone helped him stand.
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.”
I held my roses. “Thank you, Misha.”
His friend Maxwell was on his side with an excited expression on his face as he drank in all the ballerinas. “Yeah. We should party and invite all your friends too.”
I couldn’t tell him that they weren’t my friends in front of them. In fact, all I wanted to do at this moment was spend alone time with Misha.
Alyssa came over. “Do you mind if we all hang out, Ava?”
“Hell no. She doesn’t mind.” Maxwell held his hand out to Alyssa. “Nice to meet you, by the way. My name is Maxwell. What’s everyone’s names?”
I smirked as they crowded around Maxwell and told him their names. The whole time Misha gazed at me with so much intensity my panties moistened. Tenderly, he took my hand and led me away. “Do you want to hang out with them?”
“Yes and no.” I sniffed the roses. “Yes, because this is the first time they’ve invited me out. And all of these women have defended me in the past. I think they’re attempting to be friends and. . .”
“After Olesya’s death, you would like a friend in the company?”
“Yes. You know me well.”
He slipped a strand of hair behind my ear. The contact brought delicious shivers to my skin. “And the reason you would say no?”
“No because. . .my panties are wet and you look so damn good in that tuxedo.”
He hissed, but no words left him.
I gave him a wicked smile. “Thoughts?”
“I wanted to stuff my cock in you when you called me before the performance.”
People rushed around us.
He guided me away. “However, since spending time with Maxwell, I’m learning friends are important. We need them in our lives. Sometimes they stop us from doing stupid things. Other moments they help. But most of all, they make each day a little bit more interesting than the last.”
“You’re right.” I nodded. “I miss that.”
“And you miss Olesya too.”
My voice went weak. “I do.”
“Allow me to take you and your new friends out to my favorite spot. We’ll drink and eat with the best of St Petersburg. And then when you are full, drunk, and partied out. . .” He stepped closer to me and whispered, “I’m going to take you somewhere quiet, tear off whatever gown you choose for this evening, pick you up, and bounce that beautiful body on my cock.”
I swallowed. “That sounds like a great plan.”
He kissed me, enticing my body to forget the celebration and rush to the bouncing on his length. When he pulled away, he licked his lips. “I’m going to order more limos for the evening. I’ll be waiting outside.”
I had to blink away the trance he’d put me in. “Should I tell everyone—”
He shook his head. “Maxwell and my men will make sure your new friends know the way.”
“Oh wait.” I looked around. “Where’s my grandmother?”
“She knew I was leaving soon for Paris and that we had a bumpy week. She’s heading back to her place to give us a romantic evening. My godfather is taking her.”
I widened my eyes. “Your godfather?”
“You’ll meet him tomorrow.” He lifted my hand and kissed each finger. “Get dressed. I can’t wait to start the celebration.”
My guards and I rushed back to my dressing room. I took a quick shower and chose a daring outfit that I wouldn’t usually wear. Just taking the dress off the hanger gave me an electric shock.
It was a seductive black dress all embellished in beaded lace appliques. It ended mid-thigh. The fitted sheer bodice supported a plunging V-neckline. Ostrich feathers decorated the shoulders and parts of the skirt.
When I put it on and gazed at myself in the mirror, my reflection represented exactly how I felt—irresistible and alluring.
I fixed my bun, put on some simple diamond earrings, and did my makeup. I checked my watch.
Thirty minutes. Not bad. I hope I didn’t take too long.
I left the dressing room, knowing that it would be a while before I returned to the theater. With that thought, I went back inside and grabbed the picture of my grandmother as well as my parents.
I hope the theater hurries back with opening.
When I stepped into the hallway, Yefim extended his hand. “I can hold those for you.”
“Thank you.”
“They’ll be in your condo by the morning.” He handed it to the man next to him who rushed off. “Let’s go.”
“Perfect.” I walked with him.
Yefim remained by my side.
Backstage was more quiet than usual. Most of the time, ballerinas chattered and hung around in the back, wearing their gowns and waiting for the company’s cocktail party to begin. Now I knew the truth of that event.
Hopefully, the theater is done with their hobby-prostituting.
The whole affair put a bad taste in my mouth. While I held gratitude for being the first black prima ballerina in Russia, I didn’t know if I wanted to stand with such an industry anymore. I loved the stage but despised the dark side of ballet—the stallions and forced rape, the auctioning of ballerinas, and the helplessness of women who just wanted to dance.
Yefim cleared his throat and spoke in Russian. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I thought you may have received another threat since going into your dressing room.”
“No. I’m just pondering my next moves.”
He held the front door open for me. “You’re good at moving, so I believe you will be successful.”
Walking out of the theater, I smiled at him. “Thank you, Yefim. You’re so sweet.”
It was the first time I witnessed a scarred man blush in embarrassment.
I strolled away.
With the door open, Misha stood next to the limo, but his gaze didn’t fall on me. He studied Yefim.
Stop looking at Yefim that way. He’s a cool guy. There’s nothing to be jealous about.
I waved my hand to grab his attention. Misha directed it back to me and then slowly moved his view from my face down to the end of my dress.
I stopped in front of him. “You think my guard is hotter than me?”
He twisted his face in confusion. “Excuse me?”
“Why were you staring at Yefim? When I walked out, your gaze should have been on me.”
“Yefim?” He glanced at the guard and then returned to me. “You two are on a first-name basis?”
“First, we discuss your attention.”
The line of his jaw twitched. “You know damn well you have all my attention.”
���Are you sure about that?”
“Don’t test me, Ava. I’ll have ostrich feathers all over this ground and you naked and bent over the limo. Would you like your new friends to see that?”
Smiling, I climbed into the limo.
He smacked my ass before I could sit down.
While I thought we would be alone, Maxwell sat across from me, pouring champagne for Alyssa, Ulyana, and Isabella.
He handed each one their glasses. “Ladies, I won’t say any more words until you teach me Russian.”
Isabella pouted. “But I love your accent so much. Say bullshit again, Maxwell.”
He winked. “Bullshit.”
They all giggled.
Laughing, I turned to talk to Misha and realized he hadn’t gotten inside. Instead, he stood a few feet away, talking to Yefim.
I leaned out of the limo. “Misha, what are you doing?”
“Sorry. I’m coming, Ava. Give me one minute.”
“I will not. Be nice to Yefim. I like him.”
An uncomfortable expression covered Yefim’s face.
Misha didn’t finish whatever he was saying and headed to the car. Maxwell said some more curse words among giggling.
I pushed their chatter out and stared at Misha when he climbed in. “What did you say to Yefim?”
“That tomorrow he will be guarding your grandmother from now on.”
“Absolutely not. He stays on my command.”
Misha shut the door and studied me. No expression showed on his face. “Is that right?”
“That’s correct.”
The limo sped off.
“There are two limos of ballerinas following us. Apparently, we are the party this evening.” Misha wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “You look captivating.”
“Don’t change the subject, Misha. I don’t want you to transfer Yefim.”
“Transfer.” He smiled. “Yefim is lucky he didn’t get a harsher end.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t like the way you smiled at him.”
“Too bad. All of my guards are terrifying—”
“That keeps others away.”
“Which I appreciate, but I would like to not be afraid of my own guards.”
He frowned.
“That means I know basic information about them.” I kissed his cheek. “Like their names. And I feel comfortable with talking to them because they’re around me all day.”
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