Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 52178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
“No,” I say, casually, as I pick at my fries. “He watched me dance and asked me to join his show. It was my choice.”
“Are you two involved?”
“No,” I answer, quickly. “Marek doesn’t have a heart big enough to be involved with another person other than himself.”
“You know,” Aleksander murmurs, “when he was a boy, he was the sweetest thing.”
My eyes widen. “Marek?”
“Yeah. He was constantly trying to please everyone. He loved momma, even though she was an abusive piece of shit. He always tried to make her happy. She beat the soul out of him.”
That breaks my heart.
It really does.
“Why don’t the two of you speak?” I question, wondering if he’ll answer me truthfully.
“I left him,” Aleksander explains. “I was fucked up, too. I didn’t want to deal with him, and I was hooked on drugs. I disappeared and when he finally tracked me down, I wanted nothing to do with him. I was in a bad place, real dark. By the time I cleaned myself up, Marek had gone down his own dark path and wanted nothing to do with me. We got into a massive brawl one night, and that was the last time I saw him.”
Is that why Marek thinks Aleksander is evil? Because he left him.
I can understand why that would do damage. If your brother is the only person you have, and they leave you, then you’re going to resent them. Especially after the life they lived. I hope one day they can find their way back to each other.
“It’s a shame,” I say, exhaling. “You two are all the other has.”
“Which is why I’m back,” Aleksander answers. “He hates me, but I think he’ll come around.”
Has he met Marek?
“You’re wishing for the impossible,” I point out. “Marek doesn’t care about anyone.”
“You’re wrong about that, I saw the way he looked at you when I asked you out.”
I scoff. “Because I’m his little treasure, without me his show isn’t to the level he wants. That’s the only reason he acts like that.”
Aleksander grins. “I think you’re wrong, but we’ll agree to disagree. I’m fine with you two not being an item, it means I get more of a chance to get to know you. Tell me, Ellie, what made you want to dance?”
Aleksander and I spend the next hour talking about my career, how I got into dancing, and what I’m going to do with the show tomorrow. He is easy to talk to, and so wholly different from Marek. He’s friendly, funny, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes, too.
He tells me about his life, and how hard they had it growing up, and how he was on a dark road until he decided to change. He got a corporate job and is now doing well for himself, living on the East Coast in a big, beautiful house. He seems confident and eager to tell his tale, unlike his brother.
We’re soon reminded that our hour is up by Fred, who is glaring at Aleksander as he mutters that it’s time to go.
“I shouldn’t be out too long anyway,” I say, placing my napkin down and standing, “the show will be huge tomorrow night, it has already sold out being free. I need to make sure it’s perfect.”
“I’m eagerly awaiting it,” Aleksander smiles as he escorts me out.
We chat the entire ride back to the lot, and I barely notice the commotion when we get out of the car. There is a heap of men around, some outside, some inside, and there is a whole heap of yelling and what sounds like gunshots. My eyes widen as I leap out of the car, but Fred is quick to stop me from running inside as he scans the area, before calling one of the guards over.
“What’s going on in there?” He asks, not releasing me.
“Marek is having it off with a dealer who fucked him over. The dealer brought backup, which we all know was a bad fucking idea. She should not go in there.”
He nods his head at me, as my eyes widen.
“There was a gunshot!” I cry out, trying to pull my arm from Fred’s grip.
“It ain’t none of your concern, girl. Back to your caravan.”
I glance at Aleksander, who is watching the commotion coming from the large tent at the back. A few of the men lingering outside don’t look as though they’re too thrilled about going in, not when Marek’s men are standing at the entrance with guns. They stay back, as they should.
“I’ll take her,” Aleksander offers, finally looking at me. “Doesn’t seem safe.”
Fred hands me over, clearly too distracted by the shouting happening in the tent. Is Marek going to get hurt? What are they doing in there?
A man's shrill scream pierces the air and I flinch, pressing a hand to my chest as I stare in horror and confusion. “What is happening in there?” I cry out.