Page 45 of Ruinous Need
Months ago, but still. I hate to let people down when they’re relying on me. I power-walk down the street, bracing myself against the cold.
I’m not escaping forever.
That much is certain. I don’t want my family to be killed. With my family’s lives on the line, I’ll be making my way back to Viktor’s apartment after the show.
Although the more time I spend with Viktor, the less I can imagine him carrying out that brutal order. Hurting me. He might be cold, but he’s not a monster.He seemed shaken when he had to tell me about Marianne.
From a pay phone, I dial the number of my best friend.
“Kyle?” I can’t stop my voice from cracking with joy when he answers. “Are you going to the show tonight and can you pick me up?”
He squeals with excitement.
Kyle used to be in the City Ballet with me, until he got in trouble for being too vocal. He now has a budding reality TV slash influencer career. He isnotthe kind of person I ever thought I would be friends with after my sheltered upbringing. But he’s a damn good dancer and just as committed to pole fitness as I am.
Kyle picks me up in his bright-green Beetle and we head to the nearest diner.
I might have been lying to Daria about the pumpkin spice latte, but I am ravenous for food that I didn’t cook at home. Waffles are always more delicious when someone else made them.
He hugs me tight when I get in. “I’m so sorry about Marianne. Our teachers are like our second home in this world.” My heart thumps in my chest and I will myself not to cry. At least no one else knows it’s my fault that she’s dead.
As we chat in the car, I find out the supposed cover story the Bratva have made up for my sudden disappearance — I’m volunteering, teaching dance in impoverished communities in Latin America. Apparently I sent a mass email to everyone and left the next day, and wasn’t able to travel back for Marianne’s funeral.
“It’s been eye-opening. The people there are so vibrant,” I improvise when we flop down into the booth, praying that he doesn’t ask exactly where I’ve been teaching.
“It was wild how you just up and left. But I love that about you. Starting a more chaotic phase of life, right?”
Then he gives me a long look, arching his perfect eyebrows. “There’s something different about you. A man. I can always tell.”
I try to deny it, but my blush gives me away.
If only you knew, Kyle, I think as he updates me on his dating life.
“Have you gone insane?” Daria grabs me backstage at the pole show when I’ve finished my performance.
Phew. I made it through before they tracked me down.
The manager of the studio, Kryssi, had been so excited about having another City Ballet alum performing. They’d even advertised the show with my name in the program.
I would have felt so bad if I’d let her down. This whole place has been absolutely critical to my recovery after my ballet career crumbled around me.
“Seriously, do you want your family killed?” Daria asks me.The look on her face reminds me of a teacher at school telling me off.
“They’re okay, right?”
I can’t help the edge of panic creeping in.
Her face softens and she pulls me to her in a hug. “They are. But if we were following the Pakhan’s orders, they would be dead.”
All I can feel is relief. “Good.”
“You’re just lucky we made it here before the Irish or the Albanians.” She brandishes the program at me. “This was so stupid, Lisette. Your name is right here. It would have been so easy for them to track you down.”
I shrug. “But they didn’t. I was fine. It’s almost like you’re being way too paranoid about this. I don’t think all of New York is out to get me.”
She looks furious while she grabs my things from the dressing room. “You really don’t understand the kind of trouble you’re causing. Or how much danger you’re in.”
“I just wanted to feel like a normal person again and not let down my friends.”
