Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“If you choose not to associate with him, I understand. But take his offer. I suppose in his own way it’s an apology. Which we don’t do very well.”
I twist in my chair and look at her, but she’s examining her nails.
“I’ll send you the details. The audition’s tomorrow. Good luck.”
She grabs the doorhandle and goes to leave.
“Anya,” I say, and she pauses.
“Thank you. Truly. I don’t think you’re all that bad.” I wink.
She offers a barely-there smile. And again, it’s forced, but she’s trying. “Don’t tell anyone and ruin my reputation, or I’ll have to kill you.”
She leaves, and I’m not entirely sure if she was joking.
CHAPTER 35
Lena
I’m nervous because this feels different. The theater is beautiful, and it’s in the center of Manhattan. As I wait, I wonder how this might change my life. This is what I’ve always wanted, yet I’m hesitant because I’ve gotten it with the aid of the Ivanov siblings; more specifically, Alek.
But Anya’s right. I need to stop thinking it would be just because of them if I get this role. I need to believe in myself. Not for my parents or for the Ivanov siblings. Simply because I know I can.
“Ah, Miss Love, it’s lovely to finally meet you,” Steven, the show producer, says as he walks toward me and offers his hand. I’ve been shown around backstage by his assistant for the past twenty minutes, and a thrill runs through me with its potential. I shake his hand.
“Likewise, I really appreciate you taking the time to let me audition.”
His eyebrows furrow slightly. “Oh, I’ve already seen you perform. There won’t be any need for an audition. Though, if anyone asks you, tell them you did. I don’t want a lawsuit about not being fair.” He offers a charismatic smile.
“You’ve seen me perform already?”
We both realize we seem to be having a miscommunication, and he chuckles. “Did Alek not mention to you that he brought me to your show two weeks ago? My lead performer’s mother is ill, and she has to move back home. I only have a few weeks to replace her. I mentioned this to Alek at…” He clears his throat, and I realize he almost let slip mentioning one of their auctions. I wonder what type of auction he attends. “Dinner. He mentioned his woman is a phenomenal singer, so he took me to see your show.”
My stomach swirls at the insinuation of me being Alek’s woman. Because I’m anything but. Aren’t I?
“Whether or not I discovered you because of Mr. Ivanov does not take away from your talent, Miss Love. Someone such as yourself was always going to rise to fame. As luck would have it, I found you first.”
I bite my bottom lip in a haze of mixed emotions. How many times have I received rejections? It’s just not your time yet. You don’t look the part. You’re just not the right fit.
And now… Is it really okay for me to take this? To have this?
A smile breaks across my face, and a nervous but excited energy crackles around me. “I have to let my boss know first, but I’d be honored to be a part of your show. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
He smiles in response. “I must confess I was surprised to hear Mr. Ivanov had a wife.”
I choke. “Oh no, we’re not married. It’s not like that between us.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Apologies. A partner in crime, then?” His eyebrows furrow at that. “What I mean to say is, in your best interest, you might want to be careful. This role will bring you a great deal of fame. Just be careful not to be caught in a scandal, if you understand what I mean?”
I nod. Because I understand exactly what he means. He himself is involved in less-than-savory business dealings if he attends the Ivanov’s auctions. Not that I’m dating Alek, but if it was discovered that he’s a murderer, it’d wipe away my career in seconds.
“Steven! We need to make adjustments to this,” Claire, his assistant, says, but then she looks up from her clipboard and realizes we’re still talking. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“No, we’re done here,” Steven says to her with a satisfied smile. Then he turns back to me. “I’ll send over the contract and script. You’ll only have a few weeks to learn the part. Are you up for the challenge, Miss Love?”
A thrill runs through me, and I grin. “I love a challenge.”
Because this isn’t a challenge, getting here was.
Despite our differences, there is one person I have to thank for that.
CHAPTER 36
Aleksandr
Iwatch from the edge of the room as Anya showcases her recent submissive on stage. The woman’s wrists are cuffed in leather, a bar between them. Anya clips the restraints to the end of the stage, demonstrating how the contraption works, seeming all too pleased with the flogger she’s holding as she brushes it over the submissive’s skin.