Chapter 11
Bella
“What do you want most out of life?”
Jonas had asked me that several times. Why I was thinking about his question right now was beyond me. Maybe because I’d been doing nothing but questioning my entire life over the last few weeks. I’d finally gotten the dream job I hoped would catapult me into a fantastic career, but I wasn’t certain I could hold onto it any longer.
It wasn’t simply about my mother and the expenses of her care. It was also because I felt out of place around the younger girls. Maybe I was being silly. After the night’s success, I should be on cloud nine. Even if I continued to question why Gregor had opted to give me the roles in the first place. I hadn’t earned my stripes, which was another reason so many of the other, more tenured dancers hated me.
But the prevailing feeling of being a failure, something my mother had promised I’d be my entire life weighed heavily on my mind today. It was days like today, seeing my mother so vindictive and nasty that I wished I knew who my father was. Maybe I had sisters and brothers somewhere? The warning she’d issued had been unusual, but had she been in another moment of delusion and nothing else?
Maybe my mother had indulged in an affair with a married man, which was the real reason she’d told me nothing about him. If so, how had she managed to keep the affair out of the press? They ate shit like that up. Maybe she’d had an affair with a glorious director, a man so gorgeous she’d been smitten by his beauty alone.
Yeah, right. There I went again making up stories about a father I doubted I wanted to know like I had since I was a child. It had been less traumatic than accepting the fact he’d wanted nothing to do with me or my mother.
The same foreboding washed into me all over again, my stomach tight from nerves and fury that my mother had attacked me. I pressed my hand over my face, wondering if I would look like one of the walking wounded.
I couldn’t get over the feeling I’d been followed as I’d made my way to the ballet company in one subway car, then another. The creepy crawlies were so bad I’d looked over my shoulder several times.
When I got off at the stop closest to the dance studio, I waited as the subway doors closed scanning the area as soon as I had. Passengers came and went, pushing past me brusquely. While I couldn’t see anyone from the crowd of people coming and going, I was positive he was there.
Watching me.
Waiting for me.
Hungering.
Oh, God. I only hoped that what I was experiencing was exhaustion and not giving in to the heartache and delusions like my mother. I started to laugh in an ugly tone as I headed for the stairs. I still had the five-million-dollar check, which made me very nervous. It was Sunday, our off day, especially after the spectacular performance, but I knew Marcia and her crazy work ethics. She would be working, trying to capitalize on the success from the night before.
I kept my head down, moving around the corner to the back of the building, the employee entrance the one used when anyone on the administrative team arrived before or after hours. Meanwhile, the students weren’t supposed to be able to get inside. I stopped just after making it hallway down the side of the building, taking a deep breath and glancing toward the corner.
While I didn’t see anyone watching me, the hairs on the back of my neck were still raised. He was there. I was certain of it. I continued chastising myself as I jogged toward the alley, hating both the stench and the fact the area looked so disheveled. There were dumpsters and crates from shipments of several businesses, and small tables set up for various employees to take a smoke break. The alley was even more terrifying at night, even though it was well lit.
I wasn’t certain why I felt so uncomfortable, allowing my mind to drop into the macabre, but I couldn’t seem to calm my nerves even as I climbed the short set of stairs leading to the back door, thankful to find it open. I’d only been here once before when the building was basically empty. It seemed odd to hear my footsteps on the tile floor instead of the usual music coming from the practice rooms and chatter coming from the dancers.
A slight pinging sound forced me to stop halfway down the hall. It reminded me of all the horror movies I used to like only it was daylight outside, albeit clouds were covering the rather ominous-looking sky. I took a deep breath, shifting my head over my shoulder toward where the noise had come from.
There was nothing there and it was an older building with a vastly aging heating and cooling system. Maybe just pipes expanding. I tugged my purse closer, laughing at myself as if someone was going to pop out from one of the rooms, grabbing my purse knowing what I carried inside. As I headed to her office, I thought about the night all over again, still shivering to my core.
I’d felt like a princess at first, basking in the glory I’d longed to achieve. But with Creed, everything had spiraled out of control. I moved down the second corridor, already noticing her office door was open. But as I got closer, I realized there were voices coming from inside. Loud voices.
I took a few more steps, trying to decipher what I was hearing. Maybe Marcia was on the phone. It was another surreal moment when I realized what it was: Marcia and Gregor were arguing. Again. As the voices grew even louder, I slunk against the wall, trying not to make a single sound.
“No, Gregor. I don’t give a shit who you are. You’re not going to mistreat the dancers any longer. I am going to talk to the owner today. I’ve had enough. What you did last night was… When I’m finished with making a full report, you’ll be lucky to get a goddamn job in Siberia.”
I’d never heard Marcia’s voice so animated or so full of rage.
I also didn’t expect to hear her screech seconds after a loud thud echoed into the hallway.
That forced an involuntary yelp from my throat. I slapped my hand over my mouth, but I knew it was too late, the hesitation followed by the pounding of heavy footsteps heading toward the door putting the fear of God into me. I took a look around, immediately shifting to one of the doors, praying it wasn’t locked.
It was.
I scurried to the second door, holding my breath. The asshole was almost to Marcia’s door.
“Just get the fuck out of here before I call the cops.” Marcia’s voice was full of terror. My hand was shaking as I tried the doorknob, thanking all the heavenly stars it was unlocked. I moved inside, slowly closing and lightly latching the door. The prayers continued as the footsteps came closer.
And closer.
And stopped right in front of the door. I slunk further against the wall, still holding my breath. Finally, I sensed Gregor was moving away. When I heard another muffled sound later, I thought about calling the police myself. I would if the bastard didn’t leave. As I returned to the door, the muffled sound of their loud voices continued. I was risking my own safety, but I had to hear what was going on.
I opened the door just a crack.
“I’d be very careful if I were you, Mrs. Casper. I’m certain you won’t like what happens if you cross me or my organization.”
“You’re threatening me now, Gregor? Isn’t that beneath you?”
He laughed, the sound unlike anything I’d heard from him, entirely too evil.
“Don’t fuck with me, Mrs. Casper. I know all about you and your lovely family. You should have learned by now that I get exactly what I want.” He elongated the last few words for emphasis, laughing once again afterward.
“And don’t fuck with me, Gregor. I have information on you that you won’t like exposed.”
He chuckled, obviously amused. When he spoke something in what sounded like Spanish, I was reminded of the rumors I’d heard about him. What if he was a member of some crime syndicate? What in the world was he doing in the United States?
I heard another sound, something being thrown against the wall seconds before his footsteps pounded in my ears all over again. I closed the door, backing away as I’d done before. This time, Gregor didn’t stop, moving in a perfect rhythm down the hall. When I could no longer hear his footsteps, I took a deep breath.
What in the hell was going on?
I waited for at least two additional minutes before daring to open the door, popping my head out and considering walking into the hallway. There was no one in sight and Marcia wasn’t making any sounds. Nervous, I shifted out of the room, taking another look over my shoulder before heading to her office. The door was still open and she was sitting at her desk, her head in her hands.
“Mrs. Casper?” I kept my voice low, but my sudden appearance still scared her to death.
She jerked up her head, terror unlike anything I’d seen crossing her face. Her expression softened a few seconds later. “Goodness. Bella. You scared me half to death. What in the world are you doing here on a Sunday?”
“I wanted to bring you something that was given to me last night from one of our patrons.”
“Oh?” She was obviously doing her best to compose herself, glancing around the room and grimacing. When she did that, I scanned the other side of her office, realizing Gregor had tossed her phone against the wall. It was in a dozen pieces on the floor. I tried to act as if I hadn’t seen it, my hand still trembling as I pulled the check from my purse, placing it on her desk.
“I didn’t see you last night or I would have handed it to you then.”
Her eyes lit up when she saw it. “Oh, my goodness. She’s only donated a few token dollars before. How did this happen?”
“I honestly have no idea. She just told me she adored the performance and hoped we could succeed.” How could I tell her the lady had been threatened much like she had been?
“This is amazing. And you did a lovely job last night. Or so I heard.”
That meant she hadn’t been at the show. I was surprised but by the odd look on her face, I had a feeling I shouldn’t ask.
“Well, thank you for dropping this off. Now, go enjoy your day off.”
“I will.” As I’d done before, I moved toward the door, stopping before leaving. “Mrs. Casper? Is everything okay? When I was walking down the hall, I was certain I heard loud voices.”
She seemed startled, studying me intently. “Everything is just fine, Bella. Go home. Forget what you might have heard.”
“But if Gregor is dangerous…”
“Go home, Bella. That’s where you need to be.”
I was surprised she was dismissing me, but I could tell she had something else on her mind. “O-kay. Just be careful.”
As Marcia narrowed her eyes, lifting her head once again to glance in my direction, she tried to smile. But there was no doubt she was terrified of what Gregor could do. I backed out, smiling back at her and heading down the hallway. I continuously paid attention to the sounds and my surroundings, certain Gregor would suddenly confront me for invading the space. There was nothing, no other sounds, no mysterious noises of any kind.
But then moment I rounded the corner, I bumped into a hard body.
“Shit.”
The hard shove almost drove me into the wall. “Jesus. Jonas. What the hell are you doing here?”
He gave me the same dopey grin I’d seen a half dozen times. “I forgot my iPad yesterday. You know I can’t live without it. The question is, what are you doing here? And what the hell happened to your face?”
I rubbed my hands on my jeans before touching my cheek. “Just a scratch. I went to see my mother. And I had to drop off a check I was handed last night. A beautiful donation.”
“Oh, fantastic.” He kept the grin then cocked his head. “Your mother was agitated?”
“Yeah, not sure why.” He’d been the first person I’d told about my mother. He’d allowed me to cry on his shoulder more than once, telling me everything was going to be alright. I wasn’t certain that was the case.
“Oh, girl.”
“It’s okay. I’m sorry I ran out last night. You never told me what happened at the dinner with your parents. Out with it. Come on.”
“Shit. It was one of those… festive dinners. Dad was in rare form, talking about his conquests in business and his future in politics.”
“And you?”
He nodded. “My profession came up, which is why I left after pretending to go to the bathroom.”
“Ugh. That bad.”
“Yeah, what happened to you? I looked and you were rushing out the back door.”
“I went by but didn’t stay very long. I just… I wasn’t feeling very well.”
“Uh-huh. You’re a terrible liar. Let me guess. Creed Saint showed up to the party. Right? I don’t like that guy hovering around you. And the damn flowers? What did he think he was going to accomplish, seducing you?” When I didn’t say anything at first, he reared back. “Ah, shit, Bella. Please do not tell me you went out for a drink with him.”
“You were listening in on the conversation.”
“Hell, yes, I was. I told you that guy is bad news. I even asked Daddy dearest about him last night before things got out of hand.”
“What did he say?”
“He glared at me like usual before grilling me on how I knew him. After I lied through my teeth, he mentioned he was once on a case when his office tried to bring down all three brothers. I think it was all about their father’s disappearance. Anyway, they couldn’t get anywhere because the evidence suddenly went missing. However, to this day everyone does believe there are multiple bodies buried on the estate Creed inherited. I got the feeling my father had more than a run-in or two with the family.”
“Ugh.”
“Yeah, a black mark on the office for not managing a conviction. Anyway, good old Dad told me to keep my distance at all costs. I’m telling you to do the same.”
I nibbled on my lip nervously as we walked toward the main practice room that had a perfect view of the street below. I found myself gravitating inside. I wanted to see if I was out of my mind or right that I’d been followed.
“So Creed wanted to spend time with you. That’s why you’re acting all weird.”
I laughed but the sound was hollow. “He did but he helped get the donation and nothing more, so it was okay. Now, about the ugliness at dinner and no, you’re not getting out of telling your best friend.” I could tell he wasn’t buying a single thing I said about the merciless man. I still had the creepy crawlies. What if Gregor was watching from the shadows? What if Creed was standing outside waiting for me?
Jonas rolled his eyes. “It was typical, at least at first. My mother was over the moon with compliments and my father had his phone out all through dinner. Then he announced during dessert that my days as a dancer were over and that I’d been sponsored to go to law school. And that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. After that, the typical jabs at my chosen profession and my sexuality began.”
“What? He can’t do that. There are days I want to punch your father in the nose.”
“Me too. However, you don’t understand, sweet girl. My father can do anything he wants. He’s become a very powerful man in Chicago. He even bragged after our conversation about Mr. Saint that he had evidence against the family that he would use to advance his career.”
I headed to the window, my stomach still in knots. “Are you considering your father’s demand?”
He was quiet for a few seconds. “I don’t know if I have a choice. He has control of my trust fund, which he will keep from me if I don’t do what he wants. The money allows me to pay my rent and eat.”
“You cannot allow your father to rule your life. Why don’t you get a second job so you can be more on your own?”
“Oh, you mean in a hot little club like your sexy job?”
When I gave him a hard look, he laughed. “Don’t torment me.”
“This is Chicago, baby girl. You and I both know the reason you’re working at a hot little club is because you couldn’t pay your bills by being a lowly member of the ballet company and working at a fast-food joint. Not possible.”
“There must be a way. You are brilliant and the best dancer I’ve seen. Ever.” I glanced out the window and my entire body was instantly paralyzed. He was there. Right across the street. And he was looking up at this window. How would he know where I was? How could he possibly have any idea I’d be looking for him?
“I’m going to talk to my mom, but I don’t know. And what are you looking at?”
“It’s him. He’s right there. He followed me.”
“Who are you talking about?” Jonas peered out the window. “Creed?”
“Don’t you see him? He’s right there across the street.” I pointed but at that moment, a huge truck rolled by blocking the view.
He narrowed his eyes, still searching, shaking his head when the truck passed. “Are you certain someone was following you? I don’t see anyone standing and staring.”
Blinking, I pressed my hand against the glass as I scanned the sidewalk, one side then the other. He was gone.
No sight of him.
But I wasn’t crazy. He’d been right there. Right there. I knew it.
As I continued searching, a cold chill trickled down my back. There was no doubt what would happen.
He was coming for me and when he captured me, he’d never let me go.