Read Slave to the Rhythm for Free Online

usually too much drama, so I steer clear. One night stands where everyone knows the score is more my thing, but even then, not all that often. I’m always training, always taking classes. And if I’m not doing that, I’m working. Girls don’t stay around if you don’t pay enough attention to them.
    My dance coach, Lelyana, always said that the drama should be on the dance floor and not in your personal life. I wanted to win more than I wanted to screw around.
    But Sergei . . . I got the feeling that he didn’t care if I was gay or straight. And that could be a problem, especially if he was close to Volkov.
    I moved back to my seat, trying to relax the tension in my body.
    Volkov had already lost interest and turned his attention to Yveta and Galina, chatting easily in Russian.
    I wondered what was going on with Marta—and where was the other girl? If she hadn’t reminded me so much of Luka’s little sister, I probably would have kept my mouth shut.
    “There was a girl at the airport . . .”
    A sudden silence made me feel as if a spotlight was on me, and although the room was air conditioned, sweat trickled down my back.
    “With Oleg . . .” I rasped out, my throat dry despite the drink in my hand.
    Volkov laughed and glanced at Sergei.
    “Oleg has a girlfriend? Why did no one tell me? Should we prepare for a wedding?”
    His smile was wintry.
    “I’ll make enquiries,” he said without much interest.
    I wanted to say more, but I was nervous. The atmosphere turned arctic and those yellow lamp-like eyes burned coldly.
    The biker shifted in his seat, his hand tightening on Marta’s leg until she let out a small cry.
    Sergei stared at me, his face a wax-like mask, blank and expressionless, but utterly chilling.
    I felt my courage shrivel and my body screamed for me to run. Sitting still, meeting his gaze, those were the mostly insanely brave things I’d ever done in my entire life.

Ash
    THE MEETING WITH Volkov had left us all shaken. It was clear that Marta wasn’t in that room willingly, and she looked terrified. The biker guy had been creepy enough, but those Russians . . . not people you messed with.
    I hoped I wouldn’t see any of them again.
    Trixie was waiting outside the suite. She didn’t seem surprised when she saw our shocked faces.
    “Who are these guys?” I asked quietly as we rode the elevator back to the ground floor.
    She gave a grim smile. “Haven’t you figured it out yet?”
    I had. I just didn’t want to believe it.
    “Bratva.”
    Russian mafia.
    It was Yveta who had spoken. Trixie stared back, but didn’t answer directly.
    “It’s not always so bad. Mostly they just want to do business, you know.”
    Galina gripped my hand tightly and I gave it an encouraging squeeze although I felt just as worried as her and Yveta.
    “Sergei . . .” Trixie shivered and lowered her voice to a whisper. “He’s a sick bastard. Thank God I’m not his type,” and when she glanced at me, her expression was pitying. “And Oleg . . . he likes them young. Very young.”
    She swallowed and looked down.
    “They don’t usually come to the theater—that’s a legit business. You should be okay. Just keep your mouths shut and stay out of trouble. That’s the best advice I can give you.” She forced a fake smile. “That’s showbiz!”
    I shook my head, and her smile dropped away.
    “You do what you gotta do, kid. Which in this case is nothing. You’ll learn.”
    “But that’s crazy!”
    “Comments like that will get you killed,” Trixie snapped, dropping the ditzy blonde act.
    Galina and Yveta were having a silent conversation, although both of them looked scared.
    When Trixie left us in the lobby, I turned to them.
    “Can you believe this shit?!”
    Galina paled even further, swaying slightly.
    “Shut up!” Yveta hissed at me.
    “But . . .”
    “Listen,” she said, grabbing my arm and towing me toward the staff area. “Those are Bratva! You don’t mess with them. You don’t make