Chapter 6
Bella
“Soon, I will make you a star.”
Creed’s words burned into me the entire time the cabbie drove to the posh hotel where the party was being held. I’d indulged in the ride instead of walking the six blocks because of the light mist as well as the fear I had that my mystery man would creep from the shadows, making good on his promise. Plus, I was wearing heels, something I wasn’t used to.
The dress fit perfectly and as the cabbie made a left turn, I took a quick glance out the window, brushing the palm of my hand down the silky material. I’d spent way too much on it, almost a hundred dollars, which wasn’t like me at all. Not when every dime had to go to my mother’s care. However, it was the nicest gift I’d been given my entire life.
I’d earned it.
And this night.
The group of expensive hotels loomed in the distance, their bright lights reminding me that for all the luxury my mother had amassed over the years, she’d lost it all because of bad decisions. Maybe that’s why I hated the limelight most of the time. Maybe I’d had my breakthrough after all. I sat back, nervous as a kitty cat and I wasn’t certain why, other than I couldn’t help wondering if Creed was going to be at the event.
Why wouldn’t he be? It was obvious he was someone of importance in the ballet world and not just because he and his brothers were funding a building. I had to admit I was impressed by that. I pressed my hand across my lips, thinking about his, which were rosy red and very delectable. The man was what fantasies were made of.
It was so very wrong of me to remain tingling all over since meeting Creed in the dressing room, but I couldn’t seem to get the delicious and powerful man off my mind.
I closed my eyes, the vibrations of the engine humming between my legs. As soon as Creed’s face washed into my mind once again, I bit my lower lip to keep from moaning. Why was my pussy was throbbing so much? A tiny bead of perspiration was threatening to trickle down the side of my face. Suddenly, the dark visions of a sultry fantasy played out as if it was happening at this very moment.
“Come to me,” he growled from the shadows, the flickering light of the dozen candles barely illuminating his sculpted features.
I found myself obeying his command, longing for his touch. As I crept closer, I could feel his desire intensifying, the look on his face utterly carnivorous. When he gripped my jaw, I was floored at his electrifying touch, my legs quivering as he’d promised they would be. “Oh,” I moaned, wishing I could control myself around the dangerous man, but it was impossible.
“I can’t wait to taste you all over, my sweet Bella. My perfect dancer.”
“I’m not perfect.”
“Yes, you are. In every way. And I’m going to keep you that way no matter what I need to do.” He lowered his head, crushing his mouth over mine. I was immediately swept up in the roar of passion, the burning desire that I knew couldn’t be denied.
He shifted his other hand over my shoulder, crawling his fingers slowly down my back. As he cupped my buttocks, dragging me onto my tiptoes, I shivered from the feel of his thick cock pressing between my legs.
As he’d promised, he wasn’t taking no for an answer, the kiss an explosion of fire and animalistic hunger. He wasn’t holding back, taking what he believed belonged to him. As he thrust his tongue inside, I was captivated by the hold he had over me. Every cell was on fire, every muscle aching.
When he pulled away, we were both breathing raggedly, his expression of lust and unbridled need keeping me hypnotized. As he fisted my hair, yanking me back into a deep arc, I issued a series of whispered moans. Using his teeth, he ripped down my dress, exposing both nipples. Another laugh rushed from the depths of his being, the primal sound unlike anything I’d ever heard.
And just before he growled, engulfing then biting down on my nipple, he whispered words that I would never, ever forget.
“You will surrender to my every need.”
“Miss. Did you hear me? Are you okay? You’re not having a seizure, are you?”
“What?” I’d been so lost in the dark fantasy that I hadn’t realized the cab had stopped moving. The bead of perspiration times two slowly rolled down the length of my cheek as I blinked to try to focus once again. The fantasy had seemed so real, so raw.
“I said we’re at your destination.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Do you need me to call someone?”
At first, I couldn’t speak, my entire body shaking as I touched my lips. Only as the images started to fade was I able to open the door and climb out, fumbling to find money in my purse. Why was I so nervous? So excited? It wasn’t like me in the least.
“No, I’m perfectly fine. Thank you,” I said to the man after paying the fare and tipping him, standing on the sidewalk for a few seconds and basking in the moment. The ballet company, in conjunction with a couple of investors had gone all out for the party, renting the ballroom and providing the guests with the most fabulous treats. I’d seen the menu, shocked at what was being served. The open bar already called to me, even though I shouldn’t be drinking.
I was nervous for no apparent reason other than Creed’s face haunted me, his eyes still burning into my skin. I was flushed and aching, my nipples still hard. Why? Why had the man pulled complete arousal from the darkness of my being?
As I walked inside, I could swear eyes were on me, or maybe I was just imagining it. But I could tell as I headed for the elevators, the various men standing in different locations inside the massive lobby were paying very close attention to what I was doing.
And where I was going.
Maybe Creed had bodyguards who went with him everywhere. I had read somewhere that he was a multibillionaire. What would a man like that, someone who was an obvious catch for any woman want with me? I was just a simple girl, not even that attractive. At least in my mind.
Or maybe because that’s what my asshole boyfriend had said to me.
“You’re nothing special. You’re not even pretty. You’ll never find what I have, you little bitch.”
The words had stung for a long time after he’d walked out of my life. I’d thought I’d been in love with him, but I lived and learned. Men were users. I threw my head back as I walked into the empty elevator and the turned heads of the men confirmed they were watching me.
A cold shiver skittered to my toes as I waited for the slow-moving steel box to rise to the top floor. Why was I suddenly thinking about the elevator being a coffin? I laughed to myself, closing my eyes briefly as I clutched my tiny purse against my chest. I’d been forced to leave my beautiful flowers at the theater, but they’d be safe.
It was me I was worried about.
When the elevator pinged, I jumped but as soon as the doors opened and I heard the lively music coming from the party, I was able to smile and relax a bit. Maybe this would be fun after all. With slow steps, I finally made it to the set of double doors, taking my time before stepping inside.
I wasn’t certain I’d seen anything so magical in my life. The room was transformed by twinkling lights coming from everywhere, strings of them hanging from the tall ceiling. The tables were adorned with black or red tablecloths, every round top layered in a shimmer of gold. The music was big band style, candles flickering on every table. There was glitter everywhere, including on the floor and the tables, helium balloons in several locations. There was a dance floor with people already enjoying themselves, others camping out at tables with flutes of champagne in their hands. And the tables of food were incredible, the scent of chocolate and various spices making my mouth water.
I’d never been to such a lavish party.
I was so out of place, uncertain of what I was supposed to do. Yes, Marcia had reminded every dancer that patrons of the art would come and seek us out, but right now, all I could think about was him. Creed. The sinful man with the dazzling eyes. Had he been invited to the party? Was he one of the rich possible investors that would keep our art afloat or was he nothing more than some asshole determined to use what he’d seen earlier in the day to get what he wanted?
Me.
I noticed the closest bar and made a beeline for it, almost making it to the short line when Jonas bounded out of the shadows.
“The prettiest looking woman in the room.”
“You scared me half to death,” I barked back, taking a moment to scan what I could see of the room.
“I’m sorry. What took you so long?”
How was I supposed to tell him I was avoiding leaving the theater, terrified I’d run into the man attempting to claim me? “I just wanted to look nice. Do you know who we need to suck up to?”
“My, aren’t you jaded tonight. I think you need a drink.”
“I do and not watered-down champagne either.”
“Ouch!” Jonas huffed. “Does this sudden attitude change have something to do with Mr. Hottie?”
“Maybe. I thought you were going to be late?”
He shrugged, obviously not ready to talk about dinner. “Just be glad you don’t have a family.” While he wasn’t trying to be rude, he had no idea how often I’d wished for a loving family to enjoy holidays and celebrations with. When was I going to get over the fact there were no knights ready to make me a princess?
“I’m sorry. Do you know anything about Creed Saint?” At least there was only one person in front of me by this point. My entire body was trembling, even though there was no reason for me to be nervous at all.
He backed away a single step, studying me intently. “Was that man Creed Saint?”
“Yeah, so he said. Why? I know he’s some hotshot corporate guy. He and his brothers are building the new art facility?”
As he scanned the ballroom, I sensed he was nervous. But why? “Yeah, I’ve heard that too but they’re just trying to hide who and what they are.”
“And what are they?”
“Honey,” he said as he pulled me out of the line. “Stay the hell away from him. He’s a bad man.”
“Why would you say that?”
“You really don’t know?”
“It’s not like I have time to pay attention to Chicago politics.”
Jonas glanced around the perimeter for a second time, pulling me further away from the bar. I grabbed his drink, taking a huge gulp then wincing.
“What the hell is this?” I asked, half laughing but I could swear my friend was troubled by the fact Creed had singled me out.
“Lighter fluid. Look, he’s not just a powerful man in aspects of business. He owns the largest and most profitable weapons company in the world, selling to various military operations and governments. That’s all fine and good but the rumor is that he also sells to the countries who are trying to rule the world. And not in a good way. But that’s not what makes him dangerous. He and his two brothers have massive influence over law enforcement and government operations from here to New York. And let’s just say when their orders aren’t followed, they’re not nice people.”
“You’re scaring me. What are you alluding to, that they kill their enemies?”
He rubbed his jaw, his chest rising and falling. “Yeah, possibly. Plus, it’s rumored that Creed and his two brothers killed their own father, burying him on some property that has been in the family for years.”
“Where the fuck did you hear that?”
“My dad. Evidently, he had something to do with their father’s empire right when he was starting out his practice. I don’t know the details because my father mentioned it once, and only because I asked a question about the family. I can’t even remember why. My dad is a powerhouse. You’ve met him.”
I had and all three times before tonight, the man had scared me, as if he lived in the darkness, barely coming out to face the light. He was so different from Jonas that I’d questioned whether my friend had been adopted. “Yes. What does that have to do with what you know?”
“When my father warned me to stay away from the entire family, he was scared and my father isn’t scared of anything.”
I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. Jonas was a jokester, a kid who loved life and could make any grump laugh, but for a few seconds, I noticed how anxious he was just talking about the family. “Anything else?”
“I don’t know about this but it’s rumored Creed is like the Don of the family.”
“The Don?”
“You know, mafia?”
I swallowed hard and polished off his drink, ignoring the disgusting taste. He opened his eyes wide and grinned. I gave him a mischievous look, even though butterflies were swarming my stomach from what he’d told me about Creed. “You owed me a drink.”
“Hey. You finished mine.” He laughed and took the glass from my hand. “Uh-oh. Don’t look now but Mrs. Wellington is headed in your direction. She has more money than God, but she’s a pain in the ass and a penny pincher. Still, if you can win her over, we’re gold. I’ll get drinks. You charm the old bat.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Then make whatever you bring me strong.”
“You got it, partner.”
Partner. My mind was still swimming from what he’d said about Creed. Was it true? People could easily exaggerate, especially with social media these days. But Jonas? I found myself searching the expansive room, uncertain whether I was hoping to see Creed or fearing the possibility.
“Bella. Bella. Bella,” Mrs. Wellington said as she studied me from head to toe. While she’d given money to the theater, she’d had reservations about doing so for the Joffrey Ballet. The great dancer grapevine had whispered that she and Marcia had experienced a falling out years before, long before I’d been offered a role. While our director had never mentioned the woman directly, Marcia had alluded to the fact there was as much politics within the arts world as there was in city government.
“Mrs. Wellington. How nice to see you.” I’d met her briefly once before, another fund-raising dinner during the first month after arriving in Chicago. Sadly, the memories were hazy given I’d been working hard to get my mother into a facility and away from rehab in LA, which hadn’t worked at all. Four years had gone by in a blur.
“Twirl for me, Bella.”
Twirl? I suddenly felt like a trained seal required to perform tricks, but I did as she asked, even striking a ballet pose at the end.
“Delightful. It’s such a shame your talents are wasted on such a low-level ballet company.”
Now I was incensed. “Low level? You must have your information wrong or whoever provided it to you was an idiot.” I sounded haughtier than normal, but I was more than just angry with the woman. I was enraged like some fucking beast. I took a step closer to the prissy woman whose dress likely cost in the neighborhood of fifty thousand dollars. But it was still as ugly as she was. I gave her the same hard onceover, wrinkling my nose after doing so.
“I beg your pardon?”
“The Joffrey Ballet was founded in nineteen fifty-six and ranks as one of the most premier dance companies in the entire world. Were you aware that our company roster is comprised of extremely talented and highly sought after men and women from thirteen different countries? Thirteen. We are diverse, our music both classic and eclectic and several of our dancers have won international awards over the years, something I hope to do in the future.”
The loud clapping sound sharply drew my attention and I glanced to the right. There he was in all his glory, the most handsome man on the face of the earth. And perhaps the most dangerous. He’d removed his classic bowtie, unbuttoning his shirt enough to allude to his sculpted abs and highlight the most incredible tattoos I’d ever seen. Suddenly, I had the need to drag my tongue along the various dark lines, tracing them over and over again.
I blinked several times, trying to rid myself of the ridiculous vision, but the way he was looking at me as if he knew exactly what I was thinking prevented me from shoving it aside entirely.
“The lovely ballerina is correct, Adelaide. The Joffrey Ballet has proven itself to be exemplary in every manner, providing the most incredible dances that the world has ever seen. They almost invented the word eclectic, their talents unequaled. Unfortunately, as with many of the incredible artists and companies that are trying to provide such amazing entertainment, they are suffering. Not just ballet and modern dance but classical music, orchestras, galleries, and art studios. It’s our jobs as patrons, those who truly enjoy the professionality and talent to help in every way we can. That is one reason the Saint family has put millions into developing additional training facilities, studios, theaters, and educational advantages for every student of the arts. That also begs the question, Adelaide, as to why you’ve yet to unclench your pearls and strike a check to the ballet, which you frequent often? Perhaps to the tune of five million dollars?”
I was floored at his audacity, but I had to admit I admired his brazen style. But it was the look on her face as she studied him, as if she’d just walked into the lair of a carnivorous beast or the devil himself. I watched in fascination as a single bead of perspiration trickled down the side of her face. Even her lower lip was quivering.
Creed kept a smile on his face, but it wasn’t a happy or joyful one, more as if he held secrets on the woman.
“I, um… I’ll take care of that in the morning,” she managed, although her voice seemed swallowed. As soon as she started to turn to leave, he grabbed her wrist, easily pulling her back by a couple of inches.
Her gasp was met with a dark chuckle coming from the man. “Why put off what you can do tonight until tomorrow? I know you carry your checkbook with you in case you need to pay for all the naughty things your sugar baby purchases.”
She appeared even more horrified given her dirty little secret had just been revealed. “I… Of course. Tonight. Right now.”
He patted her on the cheek. “Good girl.”
Jonas took that moment to flank my side, giving Mr. Saint a nod and handing me a drink. But he didn’t stay around. It would seem his father had put the fear of God into him.
Poor Adelaide was shaking the entire time she was writing the check, almost ripping it in half when she pulled it from the checkbook. She shoved it into my hand, folding my fingers over it and her eyes were pleading with me. It was like she was trying to issue a warning. Jesus. Was Creed really the antichrist?
She walked away as quickly as possible, disappearing into the crowd. I took a deep breath, opening my hand and staring at all the numbers on the check before turning toward him. My mother had raised me on her own, and even though most of my childhood had been filled with various people coming and going from the house, she’d taught me to be very independent.
And opinionated.
I’d seen my share of men in action when my mother had still been a viable actress over fifteen years before. They’d acted as if they were something special because they were directors or producers, capable of making or breaking her career. In other words, they’d been users and blowhards.
“Do you always do that?” I asked without any sound of trepidation in my voice.
“Do what?” He was entirely too comfortable, acting as if he owned the entire room. Or maybe the hotel. For all I knew, he did. He swirled whatever drink he was having, his nostrils flaring as he looked at me as if I was caviar in a crystal bowl.
“Act as if you own the whole world and everyone included? Using blackmail to get what you want? Intimidating the fuck out of people. You terrified that woman.”
“Nonsense, Bella. Anyone who keeps a dirty little secret deserves to be reminded of it from time to time. If by doing so, that assists in providing a good deed, then all the better.”
“My god. You are an arrogant asshole. Aren’t you?” I wasn’t certain what had come over me, but I meant what I said. The man really did think he owned the world.
“Now, is that any way for such a beautiful woman to talk?”
I rolled my eyes and gave him a nod. “Thank you for helping to provide such a generous gift to the ballet that I love. However, I would prefer if the patrons gave of their own free will. Have an interesting night, Mr. Saint.” I turned away, determined to stay away from him when his deep baritone and the effect it had floored me into stopping short.
“Do not walk away from me, Bella. While I can be a reasonable man, disobeying me will only result in the harshest of punishments.”
“Punishment? You don’t own me, Mr. Saint.”
“Not yet, lovely Bella. But I will. There isn’t a single person alive who doesn’t hold a dark and dangerous secret like a tight vise.”
My lower lip trembled because I knew he was speaking directly to me. He knew exactly who I was and what I was hiding just like I’d believed. I dragged my tongue across my lower lip as my nerves kicked into high gear. “And decent human beings who have a conscience are smart enough and good natured enough to realize that often those secrets being held have a worthwhile or very painful reason for being kept. It’s not just about the ugly darkness I fear you thrive in but about trying to protect someone they care about.”
Why was I bothering? What was the point?
When he touched the side of my face, I flinched, immediately jerking my head to the side, but the striking feeling of lust could barely be denied.
“Secrets are powerful weapons, my beautiful creature. That’s something for you to keep in mind.”
The change in his tone was incredible. Still sensual and electrified while also being completely terrifying.
And I knew in my heart that defying him would be the worst thing that I could do.
The man both terrified and intrigued me, the longing for his touch indescribable and as he closed the distance, lifting his arm, I wanted nothing more than melt into his hold.
But I couldn’t do it. I knew better. The draw to him was incredible but the power he possessed, the way he was looking at me was enough to break the hold over me.
My fight or flight instinct swept through me, the reality that he was far too dangerous to be around turning the tide.
At that moment, I knew what I had to do.
Get as far away from him as possible. I had a feeling my life and my freedom were riding on it.
And so, I turned and fled.