Page 169 of Dance of Devils

“That’s my advice, motherfucker,” I say tersely. “Run far and hide well. When I find you, I’m going to redefine words likemiseryandinhumanefor you. Is that understood?”

He nods quickly.

“Good. Now fuck off. The next time I see you, Iwillkill you.”

Brooklyn looksup from her phone when I come storming through the back door and into the kitchen.

“H-hi?” she says, her brow furrowing. “Is everything okay?—?”

She gasps as I surge into her, grab her tight, and kiss her punishingly and brutally. I kiss her like I’m conquering her mouth and destroying her demons.

“I need to fuck you,” I rasp darkly.

Her eyes hood and her lip slips between her teeth. “Okay,” she breathes.

My eyes lock with hers as a devil enters my body. “I’m not going to be gentle,” I hiss. “I’m not going to let up. And youneedto remember your safe word.” My eyes narrow. “Do you?”

Brooklyn nods and lets out a moan as she sinks against me, rising up on her tiptoes and letting her lips brush my ear.

“Hurt me, sir…”

40

BROOKLYN

“Your attention,ladies and gentlemen. I have an announcement.”

I wince as Val pushes harder on my foot, stretching my hamstring as I lie on the ground. Then he lets go and helps me up as we all turn to Madame Kuzmina as she floats to the front of the studio.

“If this is the part where she pulls off her face to reveal the demon underneath,” Val mutters to me under his breath. “I’m fuckin’herefor it.”

“Something to share, Mr. Bancroft?” Madame Kuzmina barks.

“Only in private, Madame,” he grins wolfishly at her, lacing his hands behind his head and flexing his tatted arms. “Unless you’re into the public thing?”

I turn to stare at him, Milena giving him the same “are you completely fucking insane” look on the other side of him.

Madame Kuzmina doesn’t blink. She just smiles icily, her ringed fingers flexing.

“You’re looking a bitbloatedtoday, Mr. Bancroft.”

Milena snorts as Val’s jaw drops. “Excuse me?”

“Pudgy. Out of shape.Fat.”

Val blinks, both amused and shocked. “Is anyone else hearing this?”

“If my female dancers are to remain at a certain weight,” Madame Kuzmina sighs, “I see no reason for that not to extend to the men.” She smiles at him. “Why don’t you do a quick loop of Central Park. Running, of course.”

Val’s brows rise. “That’s like…eight miles.”

“So it is.” Madame Kuzmin’s smile fades away. “You’ll need to hurry if you want to get back before we’re finished today.”

The room is silent as we look at Val. His face darkens for a moment. But then, there’s that easy, smug grin of his again as he shrugs. “Guess so.”

He’s still smiling as he turns and mutters “fucking sadist” to me out of the corner of his mouth before walking out the door.

Madame Kuzmina clears her throat. “Unless there are anyotherjokes anyone is dying to get off their chest…”