Page 72 of Stripped

"Christ." Pim rubbed her hands over her face. Wraith moved to stand behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"There's more," Irina continued. "Angus sent your father to Edinburgh to work. It was to keep us separated. A week later, your father was killed, and I was named principal dancer. I have no proof, but I know it was all Angus' doing. He held it over me. He knew I couldn't go home, that I was no longer welcome there. He threatened me, and when I still wouldn't oblige him, he did the unthinkable. He found out about my child and bought her, like some piece of meat from the market."

"Natasha," the name escaped Pim's lips as the realization of Irina's story hit her like a ton of bricks.

"Natasha," Irina said surprised. "You know about her?"

"Only for a few days. She came to the reading of the will. But I didn't know she was yours."

"I have not met her, but Angus used her against me. He ruined her, sending me pictures of her in bed, posing for him. My sweet doch'. I gave him what he wanted. For years, once a week, I met him and played the whore to him. He rewarded me by letting me keep my position in SNB. He bought me expensive gifts, gave me pain pills to keep me dancing, and all the while he was using my daughter. It stopped when you joined the company. I should have been thankful for you, but he threw me aside like an old dog. I knew it was just a matter of time before the company would let me go. I saw your talent. I knew I couldn't compete, especially when you became a soloist and I no longer had his supply of drugs to keep the pain at bay. I was desperate. I tried making up to Angus, but he refused me, so I reached out to my stepbrother."

"Viktor Sokolov," Pim said.

Irina nodded. "Your grandfather and he are two of a kind. Cruel men."

"And Thomas, how did he play into all this?"

"My dear Thomas. So loyal. He thought he was doing me a kindness. He wanted to be out of your grandfather's control more than I ever did. He wanted us to leave Scotland and start a new life together in America. He was the one who put the grease on the floor, so I would slip. I had gone to Angus the day before, begging him for another chance, for more pills, but he said my time was over. Apparently, he approached Thomas and threatened him to get me to quit or he would see me ruined forever. Thomas was afraid. He knew I wouldn't leave Scotland because of Natasha. He thought if I went out on an injury, it would be better. He didn't know how bad I would be hurt. He was riddled with guilt. He went to the theatre the night of the performance in Inverness to kill your grandfather. He was the one dressed as Rothbart, but he said someone beat him to it."

"Viktor," Wraith said.

"I'm sure it was." Irina looked up at him.

"She's told you everything. You should go now," Zora said.

Pim looked at Irina and gave her a pained smile. "She's right. We should go." Wraith gave her his hand, helping her up. She turned to Irina. "For what it's worth, I am sorry. I know I can't undo what's happened, but I am truly sorry. I had no idea."

Irina stared directly at her, however, whatever sympathy she had shown before was gone. There was no warmth in her eyes. "Really," she said coldly. "I think we choose to see what we want to, but somewhere deep down, we always know the truth. Your turn will come one day when you are no longer the star, and you will be left with absolutely nothing."

---