Page 2 of Tainted Love

“Lucy, calm down—”

“Are you fucking insane?!”

My voice echoes through the hall. The other dancers pause mid-plié, gawking at me through the mirrored walls as if something exploded. I ignore them.

“Keep your voice down. He’s down the hall—”

“I don’t care where he is! I’m not going!”

My father snatches my arm and pulls me away from the balance beam. I let him tug me along until we enter the dressing room then I slide from his grasp and cross my arms.

“Lucy, I’m begging you,” he says, whispering with bite. “Just go out with the guy for one night.”

“Why the hell would I do that?” I ask.

He hesitates. “I owe some money to… some bad people.”

I roll my eyes. “Big freakin’ surprise. Not my problem.”

His face fills with overt fear. “If you don’t go tonight, he’ll kill me.”

I snort. It’s not the first time I’ve heard him say this. His paranoia has gotten old. “How unfortunate.”

“This entire company will crumble, Lucy,” he claims, desperation straining his words. “You might not care about me, but you don’t want that, do you?”

I sigh. “No, I don’t want that.”

“I’m sorry, Lucy, but…” His eyes wither in his head.

“What?”

He leans in closer. “You’re probably going to have to… sleep with him.”

“Yeah, I picked up on that.”

“He promised not to hurt you.”

“Because gangsters are totally known for their honesty and integrity.”

“Please, just do whatever he wants, and I’ll never ask anything of you ever again.”

I scoff. “Yeah, I believe in an honest gangster more than I believe that.”

“Lucy, please. He asked for you specifically.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Why?”

“He saw your photo in my office. I think he likes you.”

Bile rises in my throat. “Ugh…”

“Just go with him, show him a good time. And for god’s sake, don’t mouth off to him. Mind your damn manners for once.”

“I’m supposed to thank him for the privilege of sucking his dick?”

“Yes, sir. Please, sir. Thank you, sir. That’s all you gotta say. It all goes well, I’ll make sure you get Black Swan next season.”

“No, thank you, sir,” I bite. “I’ll earn that myself. I don’t need your help.”

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