Page 1 of Dancing With Desire
TORI
The cab ride to Phoebe’s seems to take forever, even though it passes by in a blur. I didn’t even think about warning her, and I left my mobile phone at Dmitry’s. The last thing I need is him messaging me, or worse, tracking me.
I pay the driver and drag my bag from the cab, staring up at the building I once called home. It seems like so long ago, when in reality it wasn’t at all.
I head up the steps to the main entrance and press Phoebe’s buzzer. She answers, and my body sags in relief. “Phoeb’s, it’s me,” I mutter, and she unlocks the door, allowing me in.
I head up to her place, staring at my old flat door as I pass, shuddering at the memory of when I was last in there.
Phoebe’s already at the door waiting with concern etched on her face. “Jesus, what the hell happened?” she asks, taking my bag. “You’ve lost weight.” I burst into tears, and she immediately drops the bag and wraps me in her arms. “What happened?”
“So much,” I sob, “I don’t even know where to begin.” She guides me to the sofa and pulls a fluffy blanket from the back, wrapping it around me. I snuggle into it and wipe my eyes. “Everything is such a mess.”
“I saw Dmitry. He was supposed to update me. He said you’d been put into a mental hospital. I told him it was bullshit.”
I offer a small smile. “You didn’t think I was crazy?”
She smirks. “A little, but not enough to be sectioned.”
“It was Vivian and his father all along. They took me to a house, and I think they wanted me dead.” I sob again, and she stares wide-eyed. “And then Dmitry found me and took me home . . .” I sob harder. “Only that’s not my home. I don’t have a home. I don’t have anyone.”
“You have me,” she says, taking my hand and gently stroking it. “I know about Marcus.”
I inhale sharply and my mind races to think up excuses. “What?”
“Dmitry gave me his file. It had all kinds of criminal charges. Fuck, Tori, why didn’t you tell me?”
I wipe my eyes, even though it’s pointless and the tears keep falling. “I tried. He made it hard to trust people, and if he saw me getting close, he’d worm his way in, just like he did with us. You wouldn’t hear a bad word about him.”
She looks away, her face full of guilt. “I’m so sorry.”
“Since Marcus arrived here, everything’s gone wrong,” I tell her. “I should have moved on the second he showed up.”
She tucks some of my hair behind my ear and smiles. “I’m glad he’s done a runner. I hope he never comes back. Fuck him, and fuck Dmitry.”
“He isn’t,” I whisper. “Coming back, that is.”
“Really?”
I nod, taking a deep breath before adding, “He’s dead, Phoebe.”
She gasps, her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide. “Oh my god, why didn’t you tell me? How did he die? When did he?”
Pictures of Marcus flit through my head, causing the sick feeling to return. I stare down at my hands, picturing the sticky blood, and I subconsciously wipe them down my joggers. “Don’t ask me questions, just know he’s gone and he can’t hurt anyone else.”
She stares for a long moment before giving a nod. “And what about Dmitry?”
“I can’t be with him. Things are too crazy when we’re together and I’m done with it. I can’t take any risks now.”
Phoebe stands and moves to the window, staring out at the night sky. “Fuck, Tori. When did shit get so messy?”
“It’s a lot to take in,” I agree.
She arches a brow. “Have you told Dmitry you’re here?” I shake my head, and she bites on her lower lip. “Do you think I should call him?”
I frown, my heartbeat slamming hard in my chest again. “No. Why would you do that?”
She sits beside me, gently taking my hand in hers. “The last I heard, Tori, you’d hurt yourself,” she says sadly, and I automatically pull my hand free and tug down the sleeves of my shirt. “And then you were getting help in the hospital. Now, you’re here telling me Marcus is dead but not to ask questions and that Dmitry’s ex and his father tried to kill you.”