Page 41 of Lyrical (Academy of Stardom 2)

“Right.”

Sebastian’s phone pings with a new message. “Damn, I completely forgot that I need to be at a meeting with Madame Tuillard in five minutes. We’re discussing the end of year show. She wants to bring in some experts to help with the choreography.”

“Doesn’t she like what we’re putting together?” I ask, bristling a little. It’s not like we haven’t been busting a gut in rehearsals lately or anything.

“Oh no, she loves it. But there’s always room for improvement, no?”

I pull a face. “Have you seen what we’ve come up with? It’s pretty fucking good.”

“Good is wonderful, Pen.Greatis what we’re aiming for. There’s no room for pride in dance. Don’t take offence.”

“I’ll try not to,” I mumble.

Sebastian pulls a face. “You wouldn’t do me a favour, would you?”

“Sure.”

“I need to grab a quick shower. Could you just let Madame Tuillard know that I’m running a little late?”

“Sure. Her office is on my way to my next dance class anyway.”

“Fabulous!” he calls, rushing off with a little wave.

* * *

Madame Tuillard’soffice is tucked down the end of a corridor just off the first floor. I’ve never had any need to go there, but remember where it’s situated from orientation week. I lift my hand to knock on the door when I hear raised voices. The door has been left slightly ajar and I can see Madame Tuillard with her arms folded across her chest. She looks pissed off.

Uh-oh, lovers tiff.

I consider backing away slowly and letting Sebastian deal with being late, but something D-Neath says makes me pause.

“It’s a solid plan,mi cielo. I’ve got this covered.”

“Duncan, this is an establishment fordance. I have not built this place from the foundation up for it to be bulldozed by some man I’ve never met. No. You promised me that the Academy would be kept out of this. We are already under scrutiny in the press. I do not need the police on my doorstep too.”

“It’s just for a short while. No one will know. It’s a watertight plan,” he cajoles. His voice is smooth, velvety, and I can see Madame Tuillard falling for his charm despite the tightness of her lips and the way her arms are crossed over her body. He leans in close, his finger running over her cheek and down to her jaw, where he lifts her chin, so she meets his gaze.

“I’m doing this forus,” he says, his voice rough with intensity. He might sound and look sincere, but I’ve been around enough bullshitters to know when someone’s getting played and it pisses me the fuck off. D-Neath is using her love for him to get what he wants. It makes my blood boil.

I knock on the door loudly, not bothering to wait for permission to enter. My sudden appearance has the desired effect and Madame Tuillard is shocked out of his spell. D-Neath, however, just steps back casually and smiles at me. He’s a real pro at being a dick, that’s for sure. He’s just gone down in my estimation. I knew he was shady, the guy just got out of prison for fuck’s sake, but I’d kinda hoped he’d turned a new leaf and was here because he loves dance. Then again, maybe I’m just fucking projecting. My thoughts immediately go to the Breakers and whythey’rehere. This is all shady as fuck.

“Oh, shit, sorry to interrupt,” I say, pulling a face and plastering on a sweet smile. “Sebastian asked me to deliver a message. He’s running late for your meeting. He’ll be here in ten.”

Madame Tuillard seems to pull herself together and nods. “Thank you, Pen. I appreciate it.”

“Sure,” I fire back, looking between the two.

“Anything else?” D-Neath asks, raising his brows.

“Actually, yes,” I state, stepping into the room. “Sebastian said you’re bringing in some experts to help with the choreography for the end of year show. Is that correct?”

Madame Tuillard nods and D-Neath just glares at me. Screw him, this is a dance academy first, not some sideshow for his underhand dealings. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“Can I ask why? Do you not like what we’ve come up with?”

“This shouldn’t come as a surprise, Pen. I told you all in your first week here that I would be bringing in the best of the best to help with this performance.”

She’s right, she did. “Yeah, but I thought…”

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