Marek, page 12
Aleksander is grinning again as he turns to me. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”
I smile. “Sure.”
“She is not going alone,” Marek raises a hand and clicks his finger until one of his men approaches. “Fred will escort the both of you.”
Aleksander stares at his brother, with shock and slight disgust. “She’s a free woman, is she not?”
“Of course I am,” I say, holding Marek’s furious glare. “But for safety reasons, it’s best if Fred comes. He won’t get in our way.”
I can see Marek’s eyes flash, and part of me wonders if he was hoping I wouldn’t bother going if he made Fred come. I don’t mind, actually, because I don’t know Aleksander and I don’t want to just go off with him alone. Fred makes me feel a little safer. I know I’m pushing all the wrong buttons, but my strong determination isn’t wavering.
Marek deserves it for locking me in that damned cage.
“One hour,” Marek growls, before turning and disappearing out of the tent.
“He’s a moody one,” Aleksander mutters, before offering me his arm.
I take it.
I don’t know him, but I sure as hell know it bugs Marek that I’m going, so I’ll take it.
He can stew on that for a while.
“TELL ME, ELLIE,” ALEKSANDER asks, taking a sip of his coffee. “How did you get wound up with my brother? Were the stories true, did he kidnap you?”
I should tell the truth, but I’m not going to feed into the stories when we’re trying our hardest to stomp them out. Nobody needs to know that this all started in the darkest possible way. They only need to know that it is different now and we’re going to make something of this show.
“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.
“Come on,” Aleksander urges. “It’s not safe.”
He pulls me around to where the caravans are lined up, and most of them are closed, which means the girls have been sent back to them. Outside the tent where the commotion is happening, there isn’t a soul to be seen. I unlock my caravan, hands trembling, and step inside. Aleksander follows me, closing and locking the door, before moving the curtain from one of the small windows and staring out.
“Do you think he’s okay?” I ask, rubbing my hands together.
“Marek is fine, he’s the one causing all the screaming, not the one makin’ it.”
Oh, God!
I sit on the edge of the bed, waiting, wondering, unable to think about anything but what’s going on in that tent.
“I should go over there,” I say, pushing to my feet. “Someone might be hurt.”
“No,” Aleksander takes my arm, his tone firm. “I don’t mean to sound awful, Ellie, but no. Trust me when I say you’ll see things you will never be able to erase from your mind. Just let it be.”
Stomach sick, I sit back down.
What kind of things?
Does he mean I’ll see the real Marek?
The true monster?
14
Pounding on my caravan door jerks me from my position on the bed, where I have been staring at nothing for hours. My conversation with Aleksander has been sparse, but he hasn’t left me alone, and I’m grateful to him for that. He moves before I do, walking to the door and swinging it open. I can see who it is clearly, and when I take him in, I gasp.
Marek stands, covered in blood.
His fists are balled by his sides, bloodied and bruised, and I can’t tell if the blood on his face or slick in his hair is from him or someone else. He looks utterly terrifying as he stares up at me, his blue eyes stark amongst the coppery blood.
“Jesus Christ,” Aleksander growls. “What the hell have you done?”
“Leave,” Marek orders, not even giving Aleksander a glance as his eyes remain locked on mine.
“Seriousl...”
“Leave,” Marek thunders, and the tone of his voice has Aleksander turning to me, his face stoic.
“I’ll come and see you tomorrow – if you need me, at all, you call.”
“Thanks for staying with me,” I whisper, as he walks out of the caravan, shoving past Marek as he goes.
When he disappears into the night, I look back to the man standing on the ground, still looking up at me.
“What are you doing here, Marek?”
He holds my gaze, but I’m confused as to what it is he’s actually here for. Shaking my head as he takes a step up, then another, I move backwards, the smell of blood filling my caravan.
“I killed a man, tonight,” he growls, low. “Because he came in and tried to kill everyone in this camp in an attempt to get away with stealing from me.”
My body trembles as I press my back to the caravan wall. Marek keeps coming in until he’s in front of me, not touching me but close enough that I can see the flecks of silver in his blue eyes.
“Why are you telling me this?” I whisper.
“Did you hear him scream, Ellie Mae?”
What sort of sick, twisted game is he trying to play?
“Marek,” I croak, shaking my head. “Stop.”
“Are you afraid of me?”
His voice has a slight shake to it, and something inside my chest lurches. I want to throw my arms around him, as delusional as that sounds. I want to, but I won’t. I made a promise to myself, and I have to keep that promise, even though everything inside me is fighting against it.
“No,” I rasp, and it’s the damned truth.
“Why?”
“Because I’m just not. Why are you here?”
He studies my face, his eyes dragging over my lips. I can smell the strong scent of blood, and it makes my stomach turn a little. Mostly because I know it isn’t his blood. He’s staring at me like he wants to kiss me.
“You want me to kiss you, even though I’m coated in somebody else’s blood,” he growls, placing a hand on the wall beside my head and leaning down.
I hold my breath, shaking my head even though my heart is racing so hard I can’t focus.
“You’re wondering what it would feel like, to have my mouth on yours,” he taunts, his lips so close I can taste the coppery scent of blood.
I don’t turn away.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“You’re willing to give everything to me, even though you try so hard to act like you feel nothing...”
“I’m not the one acting,” I whisper. “You’re the only coward here, Marek.”
He pushes away from the wall and turns, as always, walking towards the exit of the caravan.
The moment I challenge him, the moment things get hard, he runs.
He can’t face it, the way he feels, and he leaves the very second things get tense.
“Marek,” I yell, and he pauses, but doesn’t turn.
“Seriously?” I yell, furiously. “Anytime the conversation gets hard, you run. Why don’t you turn around and face me, admit to whatever it is that’s going on here? I’m tired of the games. The moment I call you out, you run.”
He doesn’t turn.
“So big and strong,” I growl. “Yet when it comes to matters of the heart, you’re weak. It’s pathetic, Marek. Face me. God dammit.”
He doesn’t face me.
He just walks out until he disappears into the darkness.
I exhale, releasing the breath I was holding, and push away from the wall. Marek’s bloodied handprint is stark against the cream paint, and I can’t help but stare at it, reaching my hand up and splaying my tiny fingers out. They’re so small against his. My heart aches because I don't understand why he came here tonight.
Was it simply to torment me?
To remind me that he’ll never change, and I’ve let myself fall for him?
I might feel some type of way about him, but I’m never going to let it go any further.
I have the strength to stay away, I do, but dammit, he makes it so hard.
Swiping my hand down, the blood smears on the wall, marring his handprint.
It’s for the best.
It’s all for the best.
THROUGH THE AIR I SOAR, music playing loudly in the background as my legs stretch out, the ribbons tied around me enough support that I won’t fall, but I can still twist and turn. I flip and roll, losing myself in the moment. The crowd below is quiet as they watch me in awe, and I know the show we’re putting on is spectacular.
The best part is when the cages are lowered from the ceiling, and the girls all climb out of them in a beautiful motion. Then we’re all moving together, ribbons tangling, our bodies moving in perfect rhythm around one another, an act we spent so many weeks working on. Little by little, we’re lowered to the ground, where we continue our dancing under the stark blue lights.
By the time we’re done, not a sound can be heard in the crowd.
Then, they stand.
I watch, panting, my skin slick with sweat, as one by one the crowd pushes to their feet and then all we can hear is applause. Roaring applause. It’s almost deafening it’s so loud, and I can’t help but gasp, pressing a hand to my chest as all the girls take a bow, sending the crowd into an even bigger frenzy. This is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before in my entire life.
It’s exhilarating.
I want to experience this until the day I die.
Heart racing, adrenalin pumping, shivers running up and down my spine as people cheer and bellow, kids jump up and down, no doubt ready to go home and tell their parents what they want to be when they grow up. It’s a moment I’ve worked for, for so long. A moment that simply cannot be explained. No school in the world could give me this feeling.
I’ve just opened a door, and now, I have a whole road ahead to explore.
Bonnie, Acacia, and Alexis are in the crowd, and they’re all squealing with delight as they wave at me. I return the wave and blow them a kiss. Flowers are being thrown onto the ground, confetti explodes as the music blares, a finale like no other. Then, Marek is there. He stands in the middle of the spotlight, his eyes flashing with shock and appreciation, as he takes it all in. I think he’s absolutely stunned because he was skeptical. He didn’t think I could pull it off and pull it off I have.
Emotions unlike anything I’ve ever felt swirl in my chest as Marek thanks the crowd. I turn to walk off the stage when his strong Russian accent calls out my name. Pausing, I turn back to him, confused. He strides towards me, the spotlight following him, and I’m not certain what it is he’s going to say or do, but I don’t move. All eyes are on us and when he stops, he blows me off my feet.
He reaches out, curling a hand around my neck, and he pulls me to him.
Then his mouth is on mine.
The crowd goes absolutely wild, sparklers explode, the smoke machines flare to life, and I drown out to it all because my legs get weak, Marek is forced to hold me up as I melt into him. The kiss, it’s explosive. I grip his arms, terrified I’ll fall, as our mouths move together in the most exquisite dance of my life. His hand remains firmly around my neck, and his other hand cradles my lower back as he presses my body to his.
The roar of the crowd can’t drown out the roaring of my heart as our tongues dance and our bodies press together.
It’s the best moment of my life.
As quickly as it begins, it’s over.
Marek pulls away, disappearing among the dancers, and I’m left standing, completely stunned.
The lights dim, the crowd roars, and just like that – the first show is over.
A massive success, in more ways than one.
The moment it’s over, I spend about an hour congratulating the girls and making sure they’re all good for the night. Then, I rush out into the changing room to get out of my leotard. Once I’m changed, I go on a hunt to find Marek. I want to know what that kiss was about. I would like to know why he picked that moment. I want answers, but mostly, I intend to push him against a wall and kiss him until he’s breathless.
I want to taste him again.
A giddy, elated feeling rushes through my chest as I walk up the steps to his RV.
I open the door without knocking, stepping inside, a massive smile on my face.
That’s quickly removed when I see him sitting on the edge of his bed, a woman on her knees in front of him, sucking his cock. It’s so shocking, so startling, that for a moment, I wonder if I’m imagining things. Surely, this can’t be real. After what he just did? I know it’s childish to do what I do next, but I lose it. I see red. My vision blurs. My heart races and a rage unlike anything I’ve ever felt in my life rips through me.
I rush forward, jerking the girl back by her hair.
She screams as she tumbles to the ground, her eyes wide, her mouth slightly agape and red from sucking his dick.
“Get out,” I screech.
Her eyes flash, and she scrambles out of the RV, not even attempting to argue with me. By the time she’s gone, I turn back to Marek, and he’s already got his jeans back up and is standing, staring at me. There is an expression in his eyes, something I can’t read, but if I were to guess, I would say he’s taunting me. He wanted me to see that. He wants me to hurt.
He's trying to push me away.
“What is wrong with you?” I yell, throwing my hands up, jealousy consuming my body. “You just kissed me, and now you’re in here getting your dick sucked?”
“I kissed you for the show,” he murmurs, his voice low, “it had the effect I wanted. The crowd loved it.”
Hurt rushes through me, and any rational thoughts leave my mind.
I react out of pure emotion as I charge forward, slamming my hands into his chest so hard he’s forced to take a few steps back.
