Page 186 of Dance of Devils
My jaw sets. “Because as much as I want to bury the hatchet…” I shrug. “Love, Dimitri,” I say plainly. “Love is why.”
A curious smile pulls at his mouth.
“Innnteresting,” he says, slowly nodding. “You know, I was at the charity ball the other day…Viktor Komarov’s fundraiser?”
“Really.”
He keeps nodding. “And I have to say…” He smiles a crooked grin. “Your date looked familiar. She’s with the Zakharova, isn’t she?”
When my eyes narrow, he raises his hands apologetically.
“I mean nothing malicious by that. I’m just quite dialed in to my Inessa’s dancing, and I knowallher top competition for that apprenticeship. Including Ms. Ellis.” He looks at me pointedly. “She’s very talented.”
I nod. “They’rebothextremely talented, Dimitri.” I exhale. “Look, I spoke with Ivan this morning. He’s just got one opening for now, but there may be another in a year and a half. I’m sorry, Dimitri, but I have to do what I have to do, and I hope you can understand that.”
Dimitri nods quietly, his eyes meeting mine. “You know walking away from this deal could mean war?”
I nod. “I do.”
“It could mean me burning your empire toash,” he says bluntly.
“I know that, too.” With a sigh, I push my chair back, stand, and button my jacket. Dimitri also rises, and I shake his hand. “I’m sorry that this is the way this has to play out, Dimitri. Truly.” I smile ruefully. “The things we do for love, hmm?”
He just nods quietly as I turn to head for the door.
“You wouldreallygive it all up for this girl?”
I pause, turning to look at him. “And then some,” I murmur.
“Kir.”
Dimitri walks over to me, a bemused expression on his face as his eyes lock with mine. “You’re serious? You would risk losingall of itfor her?”
“I am, and I would,” I say quietly. “It’s not even a tough choice.” I draw in a breath as I extend my hand. Dimitri takes it, the look of bewilderment still on his face as I shake it firmly. “I’m sorry, Dimitri. I really am.”
Then I walk out the door.
I’ve only taken five steps before my phone rings with a call from Ivan.
“Your ears must have been burning, my friend,” I chuckle as I answer. “Just the man I was about to call.”
“Twice in one day?” Ivan says with a smile in his tone. “Another question about the openings in my company?”
I shake my head. “No. This time, I’d like to formally call in that favor we always joke about.” I sigh. “There’s a dancer I’ve been mentoring—Brooklyn Ellis. She’s already auditioned once for Liliya, and I believe she has a callback?—”
“The same Brooklyn Ellis who just called me?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not sure what’s going on, Kir. But as much as I’d love to honor the favor I owe you…well, I can’t here. Brooklyn just called me and bowed out.”
“Shewhat?”
“She bowed out. She thanked me for the opportunity, I asked if she was sure, she said she was, and that was that.”
What the FUCK, Brooklyn.
Just then, the door to the restaurant opens behind me.
