Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
He said it like she’d taken an unapproved vacation, and I clenched my jaw.
She hadn’t blown off her obligations. She’d been busy helping the marshals search for a killer, during which she’d been shot at, assaulted, and kidnapped. I knew just how badly she would have preferred to have been at rehearsals instead, and it pissed me off once again that she’d had to make this sacrifice.
I listened to the chatter in my monitor about checks and personnel while the dancers stretched, and when the comments in my ear got too friendly, Caroline came on and told everyone to stay off the comm unless they had something fucking useful to say.
She’d have big shoes to fill if she was going to replace Bill, but I was beginning to believe she could do it.
I’d never felt more out of place in my whole goddamn life while watching the rehearsal.
“Softer landings, children,” the director yelled. “You are not a herd of elephants. Choose to stop dancing like one.”
The dance they practiced required one of the male dancers in the company to put his hands all over Laurel in a series of lifts. It didn’t bother me until the director stopped the routine and the dancer left his hands on her waist. Comfortable. Some of the other couples did the same, and she acted like she didn’t notice or care.
I wasn’t the possessive type, and while this was harmless, every second the guy stood with his hands on her brought me closer to making a passive-aggressive comment.
Imagine how thrilled she’d be about that.
“Late, Beast,” the director said. “That happens on six now. You’d know that if you’d been here.”
Well, fuck him.
I didn’t want to be near the man now. It was dangerous for us both, but more so for the pale, weak-looking director who continued to berate her throughout practice. Yet at one point while they were stopped, her focus found me and she smiled. Like she was happy, regardless of what the director said.
The pain in my chest was tight and made it hard to breathe.
“Dismissed,” the asshole director finally said.
I straightened from the wall I’d been leaning against and watched her hug several of the dancers fiercely. A few of them seemed confused.
They didn’t know she was saying goodbye.
She pulled off her shoes and padded over to me. Whatever expression I wore, it made her worry. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
She fell in step beside me back to her dressing room, pulling the pins and rubber band out of her hair, shaking the blonde waves free. When we got into her room, the Russian dancer was gone, and I was grateful to have another moment alone with her.
Her vibrant blue eyes were full of questions. “You seemed upset out there.”
“I didn’t care for the way he talked to you.”
Her lips curled up into a faint smile. “That? That’s nothing. When he starts throwing shoes, that’s when I take it personally.”
My jaw tightened once again, but her soft hand was there, turning my head down. Pulling me to her kiss. It was slow and passionate and about the connection strengthening between us. I wanted to enjoy each moment, but we were already on borrowed time.
The kiss ended just seconds before an older woman entered, without knocking, mumbling Polish and carrying a massive, white wreath. Wait. Not a wreath.
A tutu.
The woman passed it, along with a glittering costume on a hanger, to Laurel. She continued mumbling Polish to no one in particular as she went, shutting the door behind her.
“She’s the head of the costuming department. Do you mind turning around again?” Laurel said softly. “There’s nothing less sexy than putting on tights.”
It was unnecessary, but I complied. She hadn’t figured out yet that everything she did was sexy. Even the way she breathed was sexy to me.
I ran a hand through my hair then rested it on my hip, staring at the blank wall before me, listening to her move around.
“I take it there hasn’t been any sign of Frey?”
“No,” I said.
“I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing anymore.”
“You not being in danger is a good thing.”
I knew what she meant, though, that this route would split us up.
Shit, she deserved so much more than this. I would give everything to pretend none of it had happened and neither of us would have to give up our careers. That we’d met in some normal situation, dated, and then fell in love.
To be sure it was her feelings for me that bonded us together and not her fear or trauma.
“If it comes to it, and I can’t stay here, will you do me a favor?” The costume hanger rattled as she dressed. “Will you look for my sister and make sure she’s okay?”
“Of course.” I’d leave absolutely no stone unturned in my hunt for Frey, but even if her sister’s disappearance weren’t related, I’d still follow through.