Page 127 of The First Taste
My eyes narrow. “I’m sure that someone could be lured away if the money is right. I’ve been pushing for someone to replace Mikhail for a year now.” I pause, tilting my head. “What about Stein? He seemed less than enthused about the Royal Ballet when I talked to him last year.”
“He was already scooped up by the Paris Ballet,” Chase sighs.
I lean forward. “You have tried whoever Stein replaced at the Paris Ballet, then? Who is it, Berger?”
“We were hoping that we would pull in someone closer to hand, actually.” Emma gives a rueful little smile. “I know that it’s been five years since you last worked as a stage manager?—“
My eyebrows shoot up. “You’re kidding. Are you joking?” I give a startled chuckle. “You just finished telling me that you don’t have any stars and you are essentially rudderless without Mikhail. Which, by the way, I specifically warned you both about.”
I fold my hands against my stomach and sit back, angry that they would even bother to ask me.
“Look, Calum—“ Chase begins.
I shake my head. “After I hurt myself dancing, I moved on with my life. I started Indica Tech. I started Indica Charity. The last three years alone, I’ve been insanely productive.”
“We would donate your salary to your charity, obviously,” Emma says.
“And a portion of the ticket sales as well,” Chase says. He shoots Emma a glare.
I level them both with a glare. “You would be doing my charity a disservice, because my salary here would be just a fraction of what I normally earn.”
Emma holds up a hand. “When you were a dancer here, didn’t you have to pull out of a show at the end?”
I squint at her. “I was hurt doing a production of Sleeping Beauty, if that’s what you mean.”
She bobs her head. “And you never got to stage manage a production of Sleeping Beauty, as far as I am aware.”
“No.” I lean forward again, engaged. “Is that what you are offering as bait? The lure of doing something new?”
Chase smirks. “Yes. We would need you for Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, two of the hardest ballets to dance or direct. And not that it matters, but there would also be some other smaller showcases, I imagine.”
I sit back, pushing my cheek out with my tongue. None of what they are saying moves me in the least. But a lightbulb does go off in the back of my head. “If I took the position, you would have to inform the other patrons of the transition, wouldn’t you?”
Emma and Chase share a glance. Emma clears her throat. “I suppose.”
I smile a little. “I’m interested in doing business with one of your donors. Jack Schwartz.”
Chase raises his eyebrows. “We could… maybe notify all the patrons? I mean, it wouldn’t be very hard to put together some sort of elegant engraved card or something.”
“It would have to highlight how much I’ve given over the last few years and how grateful the company is for my continued good works.”
“Of course,” Emma says. “We’ll state that we are very grateful to you.”
I purse my lips. “I think that someone in my office will gladly put together a thoughtful reflection on my career and more importantly, on my charitable nature.”
There is silence just then as Emma and Chase look at each other. It goes on for a little too long.
I drum my fingers on the table, trying not to be offended. “I need you two to agree that I’m known for my good works above all else.”
“Of course,” Emma says, eager to please me.
I stare her down until she flushes a little.
“Well?” Chase prompts. “Will you do it?”
My mouth flattens. I raise a finger. “I’ll think about it,” I allow. “And I do mean think. I have a lot to consider.”
Emma looks vaguely pleased. “We would so appreciate it, Calum.”
