Chapter Eighteen
“Demi-plié right foot forward, à la quatrième devant,” Armand called out to the room of dancers. “Men, relevé, arms fifth to the front.” He seemed distracted as he repositioned Scarlet for the fourth time that hour.
The principals lined the wall, waiting for their entrance, but Armand kept starting the entire piece over after the intro. Victoria kept a piercing glare on Scarlet, tapping her pointe shoe on the floor. She rolled her eyes and sighed loudly like it was Scarlet’s fault every time Armand called a stop.
“Scarlet, execute one grand battement à la seconde, lowering to a pointe tendue.” Armand tapped her shoulder, reminding her to stay as erect as possible while Ivan stepped up to join her. “Arabesque penché. Remember: ethereal, not just desirable.”
Scarlet kept her expression blank as she slowly executed the moves.
“Watch your hips.” He turned his attention to another dancer.
The piano music kept Scarlet focused as she navigated the floor with Ivan. The day was fading, and she wanted to be done. It was only Monday, yet Scarlet’s energy waned. It was hard to focus on the dance. She could feel Victoria’s death glare, and wanted nothing more than to escape. People were talking, she knew. They were talking about her behavior, about Nora, about everything.
Her mind wandered, imagining an empty studio with low lighting. Instead of Ivan, the man guiding her was Alex. His hands stroked her bare neck and traveled down her arms before lifting her into his arms. She imagined wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her to the wall of mirrors. Then, he would sit her up on the barre, spread her legs…
“Merde!” Ivan’s obnoxious voice startled Scarlet out of her daydream and she stumbled over her feet.
He threw up his hands and sneered at her. “What are you doing? You aren’t even paying attention!”
Armand looked over at them and signaled for the music to stop. Victoria let out an obnoxious laugh and whispered to Lily.
“I’m sorry.” Scarlet blinked. “I was trying to keep my focus, and I lost—”
Ivan didn’t let her finish as an irritated huff of air escaped his lips. He turned and stormed away. “I’m done for the day. Why should I put in effort if everyone else gets to be distracted?”
Armand sighed and nodded in agreement. “I’m not entirely pleased with anyone’s progress. Please get a good night’s sleep so you will be ready to work tomorrow.”
Scarlet wiped the sweat from her brow and walked to her corner of the room, where her belongings were piled. She sat down and began to remove her pointe shoes.
“Stay alert, pretties,” Armand said. “Remember, safety in numbers.”
Victoria rolled her eyes for the tenth time that hour and continued to whisper to Lily. They laughed as they walked out of the studio.
“I don’t think Victoria takes this whole stranger-danger thing seriously.” Jason sat down next to Scarlet and stretched his legs. Armand raised an eyebrow their way.
“She has a penchant for idiocy,” Scarlet muttered.
“She hides a lot of pain,” Armand said. “It comes out as very enfant terrible.”
“Oh, is that her excuse?” Scarlet asked Armand. “Maybe we’re just not seeing the obvious.”
“Obvious?” Jason inquired.
“That she’s not concerned because she knows who’s behind it,” Scarlet said as she stood up.
Jason’s forehead crinkled. “That may be too obvious.”
Armand looked around the now almost empty studio. “Just do me a favor and be careful. Even under the watchful eye of others, stay sharp.”
“You mean, don’t count on the trained professional?” Scarlet chuckled.
Armand raised a finger to her. “I mean, trust your instincts. Make good choices.”
Scarlet gave him an exaggerated bow. “I’ll do my best. See you two tomorrow.” She made her way out into the lobby, and scanned the area.
Alex was waiting on the couch, reading a newspaper. Wearing a white dress shirt and gray herringbone vest, he reminded her of an old-timey detective waiting for a dame to pass by.
Scarlet couldn’t get Alex out of her head. They hadn’t spoken much about what happened, but she got full-on butterflies when she saw him. He had infiltrated her world, and her imagination was having a hard time staying in line. Yet, she wasn’t positive her fluttering stomach was all for Alex. The grueling rehearsals and Armand’s sour mood could have been a nerve-wracking factor. She tried to shake off the uncertainty about becoming prima. She welcomed the challenge, but there was a lot being thrown at her, and now it was affecting her friends. It didn’t help that Victoria was still being as nasty as ever.
Scarlet sighed and made her way over to the bodyguard, as she was instructed to do after her rehearsal. “Ready,” she said.
Alex looked up and smiled at her. “Early day,” he commented.
“Yeah, we weren’t doing great, and Armand was getting frustrated,” Scarlet explained. “It’s better if we just try again tomorrow.”
Alex nodded to her and got to his feet. “Did you need to go anywhere before I take you home?”
“No,” she responded. “My mother’s watching over Nora until I get back to the house.”
Nora had a concussion, and the doctor had ordered both physical and mental rest for at least four days. Nora wasn’t thrilled about not being able to do anything and didn’t want to be alone, so Mrs. Rush offered to keep an eye on her.
Scarlet smiled. “She’s cooking dinner. If you’d like to join us.”
Alex opened his mouth to answer.
“Alex,” Edward called from across the lobby, beckoning for him to come over.
Alex walked over, and the two of them talked in hushed tones.
She turned her attention away from them and looked at her phone. She walked out the doors, texting her mother to let her know she would be home soon.
Breakfast for dinner? Her mother texted back.
Scarlet smiled at the thought. Her mother knew comfort food was best, and that meant shakshouka and challah toast.
An accented voice invaded her thoughts. “Scarlet.”
Scarlet looked up into Isobelle Laurent’s eyes. She was leaning against one of the large stone pillars in front of the building, clutching a newspaper to her chest.
Scarlet’s face drained of color, unsure why the woman was lurking about. She frowned. “Isobelle?”
“I was just stopping by to speak with you, but apparently I’m not welcome in the building anymore, so says…” She motioned up to the door to where one of Alex’s men stood, wearing sunglasses.
“Kaminski,” he said. “Jim Kaminski… We have every right to stop anyone from entering the property, ma’am.”
Scarlet held up a hand to Jim and walked toward the woman. “It’s fine. I want to hear what she has to say.”
Jim threw her an irritated look then sighed. “Fine. If there’s any trouble, I’m right here.” He shifted his position to open his jacket, letting both women know he was armed.
Scarlet shook her head, turning back to Isobelle. She was as striking as ever, with her perfectly straight, long black hair and ivory skin. She was dressed head to toe in designer brand names, and an obnoxious, black wide-brimmed hat.
She pursed her lips at Scarlet and nodded. “Thank you.”
“What do you want?” Scarlet frowned.
Isobelle glanced at the building before turning back to Scarlet. She reached out, pulling her aside. “I’ve come here to warn you.”
“Warn me?” Scarlet’s eyebrows rose. “Warn me about what? That you’re planning to take me out? That your new love interest is sending people after my friends and me? Because I got that message already.”
“You’re mistaken about my involvement,” Isobelle said. “But not completely wrong.”
Scarlet looked the woman up and down. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Isobelle stressed. “That you’re in danger, and there are people close to you who mean you harm. I have nothing against North Pointe, and I never have. Unfortunately, I’m learning too late that neither company should be trusted.”
“That doesn’t exactly help me,” Scarlet said.
Isobelle took a deep breath. “You need to think about getting as far away from North Pointe as you can.”
“Isn’t that convenient.” Scarlet crossed her arms in front of her.
“Please listen to me,” Isobelle said. “At least for now. Something big is on the horizon. You and some of the other dancers at Pointe are targeted. I don’t know how to stop it.”
“Go to the police,” Scarlet said. “Hell, go to Edward, and he can go to the police.”
“You don’t understand.” Isobelle’s eyes flashed. “Even coming here has put me in danger. I value my life, too. No police could keep me safe from the danger under our noses.”
Scarlet blinked at her. “You’re telling me that you’re risking your personal safety to warn me? Why?”
“Let’s just say, I don’t wish the fate that awaits you for anyone,” Isobelle said. “It’s too late for me, but not for you.”
The tall glass doors of the front entrance opened and Alex walked out.
“Just think about what I said.” Isobelle nodded at Scarlet, then turned and hurried off.
Scarlet wanted to ask the woman more questions, but she disappeared around the side of the building.
Alex was at her side a moment later. “Sorry about that,” he said, not making eye contact. “Let’s go.”
Scarlet didn’t know what to say as she followed Alex back to the SUV. She remained silent as Alex situated himself and began the drive back to Scarlet’s house.
“So,” Scarlet finally spoke up. “What did Edward want?”
Alex gripped the wheel and kept his eyes forward. “Nothing. We had a disagreement earlier, and he wanted to clear the air.”
Maybe because he’s hiding something? Scarlet wondered.
“Edward’s on edge,” Alex said. “I think he wants to downplay it, but there’s a lot going on that doesn’t make sense. On top of that, the media is twisting things around, which doesn’t help the situation.”
“Anything I should be worried about?” Scarlet asked.
Alex turned his head and locked eyes with her. “Not as long as I’m around.”
Scarlet nodded and turned her gaze to the window. She wanted to trust the man, but two people that day had insinuated that the only person worth trusting was herself.
Even under the watchful eye of others, stay sharp, Armand has said.
The words dug at Scarlet. Her instincts were doing battle. Her urge to be close to Alex was undeniable. She wanted him more and more with every passing second, but the encounter with Isobelle began to plague her thoughts as well.
As the SUV pulled up to the house, she spied a police cruiser stationed outside. Two officers sat inside, drinking from disposable coffee cups.
Police, she noted. Not the usual night guy.
“What happened to Uly?” Scarlet asked, pointing at the police car.
Alex regarded the car a moment before giving her a shrug. “I had to assign him to another job. He’s gathering some information for me.”
Scarlet frowned. “So… now it’s just cops?”
“They’re just as good as any,” Alex responded.
Scarlet realized Alex hadn’t turned off the car, so she let herself out, then turned to Alex. “I take it you don’t want dinner?”
“Can’t. Thanks for the offer, but I’m tired, I still have some paperwork to get to Lance, I have an early morning, and Edward is being … Edward.”
Scarlet lingered with the door open. “Can I ask you something?”
Alex nodded.
Scarlet fidgeted for a moment before gesturing between them. “What’s going on here?”
Her eyes searched his face, wondering what he thought and wouldn’t say. “I don’t know.”
Scarlet cringed. “Not exactly what I was hoping to hear.”
“I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “Things are complicated.”
“Ah. I really hate that word.”
“I just need to focus on keeping you safe,” Alex said. “What happened the other night…”
Scarlet let out a slow breath. “Yeah … bad timing.”
“Edward isn’t happy with me,” Alex admitted. “He’s under a lot of stress. I overstepped his boundaries, and I’m sorry.”
Scarlet raised an eyebrow. “Ouch.”
Alex threw her a look. “I’m not going to deny I have feelings for you, Scarlet. I just… If I get out of this car, I’ll kiss you again. I want to. It just can’t happen right now. Everything…”
Scarlet tilted her head. “Is complicated.”
“Yeah.” Alex tore his gaze away. “I need to focus on the job I was hired to do.”
“I understand.” She forced a smile. “Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Scarlet wanted to tell him how she felt, but it appeared he’d already checked out. With everything happening, she just needed one night to not think about anything.
She closed the door, then walked quickly up the stairs. She watched the SUV drive off and stood there a moment, wishing she’d said something different. Maybe she should have just told Alex how she felt. She could have told him to get out of the car and kiss her. To hell with what Edward said.
Too late.
Scarlet walked into the house and immediately smelled the familiar scent of her mother’s cooking. She inhaled the air, taking in the different spices.
“Mom,” she called. “I’m home.”
“In the kitchen, Udiya,” her mother responded.
Scarlet walked down the hall to the living room and into the open kitchen, where Sarit was taking a pan out of the oven.
Scarlet hugged her mom tightly, making her laugh and put the pan down on the stove. “Thanks for cooking.”
“Whatever it is, it smells good,” Nora said from the living room archway.
“Bourekas.” Sarit pointed at the pan she set down. “Shakshouka and baba ghanoush with pita bread. Breakfast in my country.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Nora said.
Scarlet walked to her friend and gave her a hug as well. “How are you feeling?”
“Well, now that I’m allowed to sleep, better,” Nora answered. “I’m not even supposed to watch TV … something about giving my mind a rest as well. So, I’ve just been sleeping, and taking baths with those bath bombs you buy but never use.”
Scarlet nodded distractedly.
Nora pushed her playfully. “You didn’t invite Alex in for dinner?”
Scarlet tried not to look as disappointed as she felt. “I invited him. He declined.”
“He’s playing hard to get.” Nora closed her eyes and made kissing noises.
Scarlet sighed. “I never should have told you what happened.”
Nora walked to the kitchen table and sat down. “I think it’s romantic that you’re falling for your bodyguard,” she chirped. “Even if he’s an emotionless fence post.”
Scarlet cast a quick glance to her mother. Sarit placed a glass of water in front of her and patted her shoulder. Nora gave her a smile of appreciation.
“You like this man?” Sarit asked.
“Sort of.” Scarlet shrugged. “I mean, yes, but…”
“Oh please,” Nora said. “Why hide it? The man shows up, flashes some mystery, you spend an evening at the club, he kisses you under the stars, and now you’re wandering aimlessly with this love-struck look in your eyes.”
“Nora!” Scarlet’s cheeks flushed a deep red.
Her mother watched her closely, her lips pursing. She let out a sigh. “Please be careful. You’ve been through a lot recently. I don’t want you hurt.”
“Oh, don’t you start.” Scarlet folded her arms across her chest. “I have to deal with the overprotectiveness from Dad. I don’t need it from you, too.”
Nora took a long drink of water to avoid eye contact. Sarit bagged the kitchen trash, a troubled look on her face.
“Please take this out,” she said. “It smells.”
Scarlet sighed, grabbing the bag. She was somewhat relieved the conversation stalled there. She didn’t want to talk about Alex or the ballet, or her weird run-in with Isobelle.
Maybe I should just go to bed, she thought sourly.
She walked down the back kitchen stairs to the side door leading out. She switched on the dim porch light, and looked both ways down the narrow alley between the houses. Suddenly the trashcan seemed too far away.
Scarlet hurried over and threw the bag into the larger bin. The next-door neighbor’s dog barked from their backyard.
The wind picked up, sending a chill through the late August evening. She hurried back to the door, and as she was about to retreat back inside, she heard a voice.
“Evening, Ms. Rush.”
Scarlet tensed, turning to the voice down the alley. It belonged to the chubby reporter from the gala. He had curly brown hair, a cherubic face, and a messenger bag slung over his shoulder.
He held up a hand in surrender. “Didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m sure you must be jumpy.”
Scarlet frowned. “Can I help you?”
“Barry White.” He took a few steps forward. “San Francisco Chronicle. I was at your big party, but we weren’t introduced.”
Scarlet looked him up and down. “Your name’s Barry White?”
The man smiled. “I know. My mother always had a lot of unrealistic expectations where I’m concerned.”
Scarlet didn’t laugh, but she took a step away from the door. “What do you want?”
“I want what every reporter wants.” Barry smiled. “A good story.”
Scarlet pursed her lips, looking down the alley. She wondered where the cops were, and if she should yell for them.
“I’m not a good story,” she said. “So I’d appreciate you leaving me alone. I don’t have anything else to say about my attempted kidnapping.” Scarlet turned to the door once more, reaching for the doorknob.
“I don’t want to talk about the kidnapping, Miss Rush,” he said. “I want to talk about Alex Strong’s involvement in the death of Lena Pace.”
Scarlet’s hand froze in place and a chill crept up her spine. His words didn’t make any sense, yet they still made her entire body shudder with emotion.
“What did you say?”
Barry stepped closer. “Your father and Charles Pace headed up a counterterrorism campaign in Istanbul three years ago. There was an attack on the consulate by radicals—”
Scarlet turned to face the reporter, narrowing her eyes. “I’m aware of what happened,”
“So, you’re aware that the military contracting company in charge of the evacuation was Code Four, led by Alex Strong—the man now in charge of protecting you.”
Scarlet opened her mouth a couple times, unable to form a rational thought.
Barry’s eyes brightened in the darkness. “So, you didn’t know.”
Scarlet clenched her eyes shut, shaking her head. When she opened them, Barry’s smug face was still staring back at her.
“I’m … I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” she stammered. “Marines saved Mr. Pace and my father. They couldn’t get to Lena in time.”
Lena died, she thought. She died, and Dad had a goddamn heart attack.
Barry tilted his head. “No, Miss Pace,” he said. “That’s just what the media reported. Marines were stationed at the consulate, but once the threat was accessed, Code Four was called in to resolve it. It didn’t go as planned. The group was ill-informed, unprepared, and it cost a few Americans their lives … including Lena.”
Scarlet’s entire body began to shake. The mention of Lena’s name took her right back to the night she found out what had happened. When there was nothing she could do but sit and think that she’d never see her best friend again.
No. She pushed the memory away, refusing to think about it.
“A few of the men left Code Four, and now work for the security agency,” Barry went on. “I guess it’s good they moved on, but … fact remains that Edward North hired Strong Protection knowing the history involved. Doesn’t that strike you as strange?”
Scarlet clenched her fists. The reporter was trying to get a rise out of her. It would work if she didn’t walk inside and lock the door. “Maybe he has no idea. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”
And the Fates laughed as Cassandra went insane.
“I know it’s not,” Barry insisted, lifting a mini recorder in Scarlet’s direction. “Just give me a statement.”
Scarlet took a deep breath as something deep within her mind snapped. She gritted her teeth. “You know what you don’t know? You don’t know that Lena was one of my best friends. She was going to follow in her father’s footsteps. You don’t know that her death not only ruined her father, it also ruined my father. It almost ruined me. You don’t know, and you don’t care. You just want my statement for your shitty paper because now I’m some big-deal prima set to make waves in Edward North’s pristine ballet company.”
Barry’s eyes dropped to the ground as he lowered his mini recorder.
Hot tears burned Scarlet’s eyes. “So, no.” She shook her head. “I didn’t know about Alex’s life before I met him a week and a half ago. I guess he didn’t think it was my business to know. Hopefully that’s good enough for your article.”
With that, Scarlet walked inside, slamming the door shut behind her. Once inside, she gasped for breath, her knees weakening. She felt disjointed and dizzy—like she’d been ripped from herself as her trust crumbled into oblivion.
She placed a hand on the wall in front of her to keep her balance.
Impossible, she thought. The reporter was obviously lying. There was no way his story was true. It was too much.
“Scarlet,” Sarit called. “Dinner’s ready.”
There are people close to you who mean you harm. Isobelle’s words echoed through her brain.
Scarlet had no reason to trust anything Isobelle said, but the doubts and frustration nagged at her. Maybe, out of everyone, Isobelle was the one person whose warning she should heed.
She took a deep breath as she walked into the kitchen.
“Nora,” she said. “Call your father. I need you to go stay at the mansion. I’m going home.”
Nora sat with her fork full of food halfway to her mouth. “What?”
Sarit looked over at Scarlet from her spot next to the stove. “Udiya?”
“I want to leave now.” Scarlet clenched her fists. “I don’t want to answer questions. I’m leaving with my mother.”
Nora put the fork down. “Home? Now? But you have rehearsal tomorrow.”
Scarlet walked to the doorway that led to her bedroom. “I’m not going.”
Nora stood up, shaking her head. “Wait a minute. Slow down. You aren’t showing up? What am I supposed to tell everyone? What am I supposed to tell Edward?”
Scarlet looked back over her shoulder before retreating to her room.
“Tell him I quit.”