“This is Maddalena,” Alek says.
I recognize the name.It’s hard for her to deny that she’s related to Barone, but I don’t point it out.I nod and smile at her.She returns the smile, and I notice they’re all dressed as nicely as we are.
“We are headed to the ballet.How about you all?”Alek offers, and I nod.
“So are we.It’s a tradition, but this year Ro demanded we attend opening night.”
“It’s going to be amazing.My daughter is dancing tonight.Enjoy it,” Maddalena says to Ro.
We excuse ourselves and move back to our table, where we enjoy an amazing dinner.I always forget how good the food is here, and the atmosphere too.I’ve only been here a few times, but I’ve never had a bad meal, and I like trying the Russian dishes the restaurant is known for.It’s nice that Andrei wanted to share his culture with Las Vegas and used his grandmother’s recipes and influence in the restaurant.
By the time we finish, I’m ready to relax and watch the ballet with my favorite girl.I’ve never wanted for a romantic relationship.The fact that I could lose someone I care about, like my father lost my mother, makes me shy away from them.
We arrive at the theater and settle into our seats.I watch the dancers onstage, then turn to Ro to see how entranced she is with the ballet.It doesn’t matter how many times I bring her, she loves it and never tires of coming.Maybe I should have allowed her to do dance growing up.
The music changes, and Ro slides forward in her seat.I turn toward the stage as The Sugar Plum Fairy steps out.I find myself lost in the dancer.The lights shine off the top of her hair, making her platinum blond hair glow.She moves across the stage with power and grace.Strong legs, perfect pointe work, every motion controlled and effortless.When the Cavalier takes her in his arms and they dance together, an urge I’ve never felt before hits me in the chest.I want to rip his arms from his body and beat him with them.I don’t like him touching her.She deserves to shine and dance without him.
The Fairy glides across the stage, telling her story, celebrating, and I’m finding myself lost in the music.As it crescendos, I’m on the edge of my seat, watching her body move, my body reacting to hers.She’s exquisite, and I want to meet her.
When her dance ends and the scene shifts, I slide back and open the playbill.I search for her name and freeze when I find it.It has to be a coincidence.Belyaev doesn’t have a sister.At least, I don’t think he does.
I wait frantically for her to come back on stage for the bows.When she steps forward, the room explodes with applause, and I’m one of the many people on my feet for the standing ovation.Whooping and hollering fill the theater as Maddalena, the woman who was at dinner with Belyaev, walks toward the stage and hands up a bouquet of flowers to the dancer.
She said her daughter was a dancer.Is it possible?I remember rumors my father mentioned, that Bogdan Belyaev was killed because he was involved with someone he shouldn’t have been.
“She was amazing,” Ro says with excitement in her voice.
I nod my head.“She was.”I pause, unable to find the right words to describe her.“Breathtaking,” is all I come up with, and it’s true.I feel like everything has shifted in my world.
We make our way backstage for the meet and greet.I watch as Belyaev takes the Sugar Plum Fairy into his arms.Under the normal lighting, she’s even more stunning than she was on stage.The group all hug her, but then, as if she’s drawn to me as much as I am to her, our eyes meet over the distance.I want to storm across the room and demand she only dance for me.That she be mine.This can’t be happening.
“She’s related to Belyaev?”JJ asks.
I know the answer without asking.It’s right there in front of me.Her white-blond hair, like his.The striking ice-blue eyes that are still focused on me, the same shade as Belyaev’s.I can’t stop myself from dragging my gaze up and down her body, memorizing everything I’ll never have.I can’t and won’t do that to either of us.
“Yes, she’s his sister.Their father was murdered before she was born.It’s a real Romeo and Juliet story,”AintínMorrigan supplies.“Lyric found her before she was kidnapped earlier this year.I haven’t gotten to meet her because she’s always busy, but Lyric says she’s a very sweet girl.”
“Can we go meet her?”Ro asks me, and I know I won’t be able to be close to her.My control is fraying the longer she stares at me.I break our eye contact first.
I pull out my phone and look at it, pretending I got a text.“Shoot, Ro.I have to run to the club.”I turn to JJ, hating that I’m going to lie to them all.“I need to go.Can you get the ladies home?”
“I’ll call in another car for us.You take Hayes,” he offers.“I’ll see you there as soon as I can.”
I’m about to tell him never mind, but then he’ll know something is up.
I turn away and walk toward the door but stop for one last look at the woman my body craves.She’s squatted, talking to a small child.Again, as if she knows I’m watching, she looks up at me.This time she blushes, and I force myself to walk out so I don’t do anything we’ll both regret.Her brother would kill me if he knew in the short time I looked at her, I fantasized about having her under me.That I contemplated everything I would do to her body.That I wonder if she’s really as untouched and virginal as she seems with her shy looks and smiles.
I wouldn’t blame him if he threatened me.If a man ever did that to Ro, I’d kill him without a second thought.
Daria
Iwatch as the tall, distinguished, dark-haired man leaves.From the moment I saw him, I was drawn to him.I couldn’t stop staring.It was as if my body demanded I focus on him and no one else.He was so tall he stood head and shoulders over most of the people in the room.He’s even taller than Alek.
The women and the huge guy he was with make their way across the room toward me.I stand there, wanting to know why he fled instead of coming to meet me.I know he felt the attraction too.He was openly staring at me.I could feel his eyes like a caress against my skin.
“Hello, I’m Roisin MacEvoy,” the beautiful, auburn-haired girl says.She’s a bit younger than me and very petite, maybe five-one, while I’m more than five inches taller than her.
Her name hits me, and I realize who the man who just walked out is.The elusive Patrick “Paddy” MacEvoy, head of the Irish mob.
