Sunday Snippet

 

My snippet today is from Bête Noir  a direct sequel to Torn, the first book in the En Pointe Series. The novels should be read in order to fully appreciate the dynamic of these complex characters.  

Snippet

From a safe distance, I watched Dion’s car inching toward the checkpoint. He paused to hand over the required paperwork for inspection, and after a cursory glance at the documents, he and Henri were waved through without a problem. Orders must have come through sometime in the middle of the night. My father might be the world’s biggest asshole, but he was good at his job, and he followed through when it suited his purposes.

On board the bus, I pulled out my phone to begin my long list of things to do in the next few days, but unshed tears made it difficult to read the small screen. I gave up the fight and let them flow, giving in to my desolation. Even though Henri and Dion were on their way back to Tallinn, I felt like I’d lost this round, a dismal outlook considering I was heading right back into the eye of the storm. Without a single source of support in St. Petersburg, I felt exposed and vulnerable.

The bus swayed to and fro, buffeted by strong northerly winds. The heating mechanism in this Soviet-era vehicle couldn’t keep up with the frigid temperatures outside, and I pulled up my collar and wrapped my arms around my waist, longing for an Afghan I didn’t possess. Our spur-of-the-moment exit last night with nothing but the clothes on our back hadn’t factored in the blasted weather. I would have to do better in the future if I planned to outwit the minister. I fell asleep at the halfway point and didn’t stir until the familiar sound of air brakes nudged me awake.

My first stop was the public restroom. After doing my business, I checked the time and realized I was still an hour early. Although I was dreading this meeting, I wanted it behind me, so I headed toward the minister’s office, hoping he was already behind his desk. I was greeted by his uptight gatekeeper who checked her appointment book and didn’t hesitate to mention I was early. Nevertheless, she ushered me into the private office without a problem. She was a lot more congenial this time around, and even offered a light breakfast. I opted for coffee and a sweet roll.

The flakey pastry stuck in my throat when I spied my carryall—the one I’d left at the hotel—on the floor near the massive desk. Henri had been right as usual. The FSB were the watch dogs of the nation and we would have been arrested if we’d stayed in town. I forced myself to swallow the roll, even if I’d lost my appetite. When the minister walked in at precisely ten o’clock, I was taken aback by his altered appearance. Normally smooth-shaven and dressed to the nines, today’s version was a rumpled mess. Gray stubble covered his cheeks and his cunning blue eyes darted left and right, expecting an ambush. After he ascertained that there was nothing amiss, he folded his arms over his chest and gloated with satisfaction.

“I see you made it back.”

“You left me no choice.”

“How about showing some gratitude instead of treating me like the enemy?”

I fought back the urge to kick him in the nuts. I was his prisoner, for all intents and purposes, and I needed to be on guard. On the other hand, I couldn’t let his supercilious comment go unnoticed.

“I should be thankful you ran my boyfriend out of town?”

“Don’t ever say Henri and boyfriend in the same sentence again. Forget about your bisexuality and behave like the Misha I used to know. Have some pride, for god’s sake. I didn’t stick my neck out for a useless pederast.”

“Excuse me?”

He waggled a finger at me. “You were a normal young man for years. I saw the way you acted around Talia—like a dog in heat—”

“I did not!”

“Don’t deny it, Misha. You were hot for her until Henri seduced you. He’s the one who splintered your partnership on stage and should pay for his depravity.”

“You promised to leave him alone.”

“Not my first choice, I can assure you. If I had my way, he’d be in a cell with the rest of the miserable scum who pollute this earth.”

“Where is this hateful rhetoric coming from?”

“My feelings reflect the majority of Russians. Your grandmother scolded me into accepting your sexual orientation, but now she’s gone, and there’s no reason to pretend I’m on board with this… abomination. It’s unnatural and demeaning,” he added. “I won’t condone it any longer.”

“Was your kindness in New York City all an act?”

“I had to do something positive after you discovered I was your father.”

“I’m ashamed to admit I fell for it. I detest your half of my DNA.”

“Like it or not, you’re my flesh and blood,” he remarked in a tired voice. He sank down in his chair and continued. “If you hope to be acknowledged as my son, you’ll behave like a man. Concentrate on your career and forget about romantic love for now. You don’t have the luxury to pick and choose the people who share your bed until you reach the pinnacle of success. And speaking of your career, I encourage you to find another partner. There are hundreds of women who are willing to dance with you.”

“I wouldn’t have to find someone new if Talia was back in St. Petersburg.”

“What makes you think she’s interested in partnering with you again?”

“The kidnapping might have changed her perspective on the important things in life.”

His lip curled in disdain. “Are we talking about the same woman?”

“Why do you dislike her so much?”

“She’s a thorn in my side.”

“Because we let her down.”

“We?”

THE EN POINTE SERIES IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT AMAZON, OR A FREE READ WITH YOUR KINDLE UNLIMITED SUBSCRIPTION. LINKS ON MY SIDE BAR.