Page 18 of Controlled
“What the hell is this?” I asked, half laughing but I could swear my friend was troubled by the fact Creed had singled me out.
“Lighter fluid. Look, he’s not just a powerful man in aspects of business. He owns the largest and most profitable weapons company in the world, selling to various military operations and governments. That’s all fine and good but the rumor is that he also sells to the countries who are trying to rule the world. And not in a good way. But that’s not what makes him dangerous. He and his two brothers have massive influence over law enforcement and government operations from here to New York. And let’s just say when their orders aren’t followed, they’re not nice people.”
“You’re scaring me. What are you alluding to, that they kill their enemies?”
He rubbed his jaw, his chest rising and falling. “Yeah, possibly. Plus, it’s rumored that Creed and his two brothers killed their own father, burying him on some property that has been in the family for years.”
“Where the fuck did you hear that?”
“My dad. Evidently, he had something to do with their father’s empire right when he was starting out his practice. I don’t know the details because my father mentioned it once, and only because I asked a question about the family. I can’t even remember why. My dad is a powerhouse. You’ve met him.”
I had and all three times before tonight, the man had scared me, as if he lived in the darkness, barely coming out to face the light. He was so different from Jonas that I’d questioned whether my friend had been adopted. “Yes. What does that have to do with what you know?”
“When my father warned me to stay away from the entire family, he was scared and my father isn’t scared of anything.”
I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. Jonas was a jokester, a kid who loved life and could make any grump laugh, but for a few seconds, I noticed how anxious he was just talking about the family. “Anything else?”
“I don’t know about this but it’s rumored Creed is like the Don of the family.”
“The Don?”
“You know, mafia?”
I swallowed hard and polished off his drink, ignoring the disgusting taste. He opened his eyes wide and grinned. I gave him a mischievous look, even though butterflies were swarming my stomach from what he’d told me about Creed. “You owed me a drink.”
“Hey. You finished mine.” He laughed and took the glass from my hand. “Uh-oh. Don’t look now but Mrs. Wellington is headed in your direction. She has more money than God, but she’s a pain in the ass and a penny pincher. Still, if you can win her over, we’re gold. I’ll get drinks. You charm the old bat.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Then make whatever you bring me strong.”
“You got it, partner.”
Partner. My mind was still swimming from what he’d said about Creed. Was it true? People could easily exaggerate, especially with social media these days. But Jonas? I found myself searching the expansive room, uncertain whether I was hoping to see Creed or fearing the possibility.
“Bella. Bella. Bella,” Mrs. Wellington said as she studied me from head to toe. While she’d given money to the theater, she’d had reservations about doing so for the Joffrey Ballet. The great dancer grapevine had whispered that she and Marcia had experienced a falling out years before, long before I’d been offered a role. While our director had never mentioned the woman directly, Marcia had alluded to the fact there was as much politics within the arts world as there was in city government.
“Mrs. Wellington. How nice to see you.” I’d met her briefly once before, another fund-raising dinner during the first month after arriving in Chicago. Sadly, the memories were hazy given I’d been working hard to get my mother into a facility and away from rehab in LA, which hadn’t worked at all. Four years had gone by in a blur.
“Twirl for me, Bella.”
Twirl? I suddenly felt like a trained seal required to perform tricks, but I did as she asked, even striking a ballet pose at the end.
“Delightful. It’s such a shame your talents are wasted on such a low-level ballet company.”
Now I was incensed. “Low level? You must have your information wrong or whoever provided it to you was an idiot.” I sounded haughtier than normal, but I was more than just angry with the woman. I was enraged like some fucking beast. I took a step closer to the prissy woman whose dress likely cost in the neighborhood of fifty thousand dollars. But it was still as ugly as she was. I gave her the same hard onceover, wrinkling my nose after doing so.
“I beg your pardon?”
“The Joffrey Ballet was founded in nineteen fifty-six and ranks as one of the most premier dance companies in the entire world. Were you aware that our company roster is comprised of extremely talented and highly sought after men and women from thirteen different countries? Thirteen. We are diverse, our music both classic and eclectic and several of our dancers have won international awards over the years, something I hope to do in the future.”
The loud clapping sound sharply drew my attention and I glanced to the right. There he was in all his glory, the most handsome man on the face of the earth. And perhaps the most dangerous. He’d removed his classic bowtie, unbuttoning his shirt enough to allude to his sculpted abs and highlight the most incredible tattoos I’d ever seen. Suddenly, I had the need to drag my tongue along the various dark lines, tracing them over and over again.
I blinked several times, trying to rid myself of the ridiculous vision, but the way he was looking at me as if he knew exactly what I was thinking prevented me from shoving it aside entirely.
“The lovely ballerina is correct, Adelaide. The Joffrey Ballet has proven itself to be exemplary in every manner, providing the most incredible dances that the world has ever seen. They almost invented the word eclectic, their talents unequaled. Unfortunately, as with many of the incredible artists and companies that are trying to provide such amazing entertainment, they are suffering. Not just ballet and modern dance but classical music, orchestras, galleries, and art studios. It’s our jobs as patrons, those who truly enjoy the professionality and talent to help in every way we can. That is one reason the Saint family has put millions into developing additional training facilities, studios, theaters, and educational advantages for every student of the arts. That also begs the question, Adelaide, as to why you’ve yet to unclench your pearls and strike a check to the ballet, which you frequent often? Perhaps to the tune of five million dollars?”
I was floored at his audacity, but I had to admit I admired his brazen style. But it was the look on her face as she studied him, as if she’d just walked into the lair of a carnivorous beast or the devil himself. I watched in fascination as a single bead of perspiration trickled down the side of her face. Even her lower lip was quivering.
Creed kept a smile on his face, but it wasn’t a happy or joyful one, more as if he held secrets on the woman.