Chapter 3 I want her

Our entourage entered the event for the party. We were met with low lights and thumping music echoing off the walls. The bar in the back was screaming for my attention.

"You owe me a drink," I stated loudly, interrupting my uncle's conversation. He widened his eyes and looked between me and the mayor.

"You're absolutely right!, I sure do. Excuse me for a moment. I will go grab us all a round of drinks with my nephew and I will be right back", As soon as he turned his back , his eyes scowled at me.

"You know better than to interrupt me", His jovial tone turned sour.

"Yeah, of course. Of course," I waved him off and we parted the crowd on our way to the line of the bar and wall of liquor bottles reflecting the low blue lights surrounding us . Without looking at him , I whispered, "Tell me about the ballerinas"

Nikolai rolled his eyes, but when we got to the bar, he waved over a bartender.

Getting closer, he exhaled and spoke without meeting my eye . "New York is an expensive place to live."

"Obviously," I scoffed.

"Well, ballet might pay well for the tenured dancers ,but for a lot of the newer ones they might need to supplement their income", He spoke as he smiled at someone he appeared to recognize down the bar. "My friend down there knows a trainer with the New York ballet who has a type of contract with some of the girls", He went on.

"Are you telling me they sell the ballerinas?", I was ready to buy the beautiful ballerina but I was kinda surprised at the revelation. The bartender quickly poured us two whiskeys after Nikolai stated the order. "Here he comes", Nikolai muttered before sipping his drink. "Ask him your self", He went on.

The man joined us at the end of the bar. I took in his dark leather jacket and slicked back hair. There was a gold chain around his neck and bulky rings on his fingers . He didn't quite fit in with the opulence of the other guests. Nikolai and the man leaned in to whisper in one another's ear as they mock embraced as if they were long time friends. I looked around the party , briefly wondering when the performers would arrive.

"Dax, this is my nephew Aleksander, he's interested in sampling the menu", As Nikolai introduced me, I shook the man named Dax's hand.

"Alright then, come over here where it's more private and we can talk more", A roguish smirk slashed across his face as he spoke. "I have got to get a drink to the mayor, I will trust you two to handle this," My uncle shook Dax's shoulder and angled back to the bar. Dax nodded at me to follow and we slipped through the crowd to a darkened corner.

"Alright, I trust your uncle Nikolai but I need to know that you will keep this information on the down low?", Dax pressed. "Of course," I shrugged nonchalantly. "Which of the girls are you interested in?", He got straight to the point.

"The one who was Odette tonight." As soon as the name left my lips, Dax sucked his teeth.

"She is but that is an expensive bird, my man," Dax ran one meaty hand through his hair and exhaled loudly.

"You know my uncle , so you know that money isn't a problem", I crossed my arms and narrowed my gaze. Just the thought of a night with that woman was driving me to a near insanity. The fact that I could ensure my dreams came true was making my blood burn with anticipation.

"Good to hear. Alright. That ballerina is available. I will get in contact with the handler and once we have payment, we will set up a meeting," Dax spoke while digging his phone out of his pocket. "When ?" The words rushed past my lips. I swallowed had and straightened my shoulders to keep my cool. Dax chortled but looked over the calendar on his screen.

"Hmmm, you can have her tonight if you pay extra", Dax seemed like he was musing to himself, but my heart leapt from my throat and I had to swallow it back down. "Deal, just tell me how much and I will send the funds", l spoke boldly. Dax slowly turned his head up to face me, his beady eyes were now wide. He looked me up and down, taking the time to examine me.

"You seem pretty serious. Normally we run tests and vet the guys before bringing in new ones , but since I know your uncle and you're willing to pay, I think you have got your self a deal." He stuck his hand out. I shook it, forcing myself not to show how eager I really was.

"What's your name, then? I will send you the information",

"Aleksander Makalov", A minute later my phone pinged and we completed the deal. My body was inferno of heat and I needed a drink as this became real.

"We will send you the instructions to meet the girl tonight. If you see her at this party , don't talk about this out loud or try to avoid her," Dax advised. "save it for tonight, yeah?", He went on with his eyebrows raised up.

"I can do that", l responded with a forced smile on my face. Just then the volume of the crowd increased. A few people clapped or hollered as a group across the venue walked in through the entrance.

The dancers were here.

"She might be here", Hunger roared to life with in me, and it wasn't the kind for food.

"Oh, and Aleksander," I turned to look at Dax, "Her name is Rhea", He winked then he vanished through the crowd.

I surged forward the moment he was gone. My limbs moved on their own accord to head towards the gathered dancers who just arrived. I was brimming with untamed energy at the thought of seeing her again.

My eyes scanned every face joining the after party. She wasn't here yet . I kept looking but she never showed up. Half an hour went by and the star of the show didn't come but then my phone all of the sudden pinged with a message.

"This is the time and place where you going to find her. To have her tonight"

Rhea