MAFIA'S ANGEL

CHAPTER 15

A/N: Next chapter will be out on Sunday or Monday because of a family trip. Thank you all for reading and supporting me! It really means the world to me. Hope you enjoy this chapter! :)

Days rolled by in a blur and eventually marked a week since she first arrived at Ivanov mansion. Time had an odd flow there. It dragged during the lonely days and flew by in a flash when Nikolai and her had dinner. It had become a tradition of sorts. When he wasn't off running the club, he made sure that they had meals together. Sometimes they barely exchanged a word, but sometimes they talked for hours like two normal people, like she wasn't his prisoner and he wasn't her cruel captor. 

Angelique had learned things about him she had never expected to know. Nikolai hated pickles and always kept a gun under his pillow. Somewhere along the lines she had slipped a story or two about her own life. He always listened intently, even if he never commented on any of them. It was an odd exchange. 

While he never let the mask fall, she was beginning to see signs of human nature. He got irritated when she asked one too many questions and he was pleased when she wore white and let her blond hair loose. 

He had even allowed her to attend school again, but only if Dog was following her. Everyone had freak out at the sight of her new bodyguard at first. Honestly, she couldn't blame them. That man always wore a scowl as part of his all-black attire and never spoke a word unless it was absolutely necessary. 

The day of the competition had arrived before she had the time to blink. People were bustling around the backstage, rushing about and arranging the props. Groups of dancers were gathering around, chatting among themselves and warming up. 

To think that after she had stripped naked in front of a horny crowd, she would feel a tad less nervous now. Hell no. Her nerves were wrecking havoc inside her. Angelique shifted her weight from one leg to another, practicing the silly, yet oddly helpful breathing expertise she had picked up from the internet. 

"Calm down. We're going to nail it." Dale spoke up besides her, offering a small, comforting smile. It had been a while since they last talked. Since she took off running things had been awkward between them. He had apologized and they had set thighs straight. It was fairly obvious when things weren't quite as they should be between the two lead dancers. Both of them were grown ups and professionals. Mulling over what had happened would ruin their act. 

"Where's your scary bodyguard?" 

"Somewhere around here I think." Angelique let a soft chuckle slip past her lips. Dog had wandered off somewhere, and she finally felt that she could breathe. 

"That dude is scary. Why is he here anyway?" Dale questioned, mix of concern and curiosity playing through his sunny tone. 

"Dad hired him. I got mugged and he overreacted." A lie. She had learned to tell this story swiftly. What else could she possibly say? 

I got myself in shit with Russian mob and now their boss or whatever is keeping me on leash? 

Bah. She could only imagine what face Dale would make at that. 

"That's awful. I hope you're okay." Gently, he took ahold of her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. His hand was so warm, his skin soft like he hadn't worked a day in his life. Dale's touch was nothing like Nikolai's. His hands were callous and his gentlest touch could be considered rough. It never failed to make her shiver. 

Speakers came to life, announcing the next group to come up on the stage. Dale squeezed her hand tighter. "Here goes nothing." He mumbled. 

Angelique breathed out a nervous sight, letting her partner lead her up on the stage. The white lights were near blinding. Loud applause filled the hall. The gathering crowd was larger than she had anticipated. Jury set at the front, already taking notes when the dancers flowed into their spots. 

Angelique leaned over Dale's arm, arching her back and pointing her toes. Her eyes dropped close and with the first beat of music, she swirled into motion. All stress seemed to dissipate. She knew the routine by heart, allowed her body to move and her mind be free. 

Everything went smoothly until....

She glanced at the crowd. There, leaning against the wall, shrouded by shadows was a man with piercing grey eyes; watching. Her breath hitched and her body stammered. Just like the first time she danced in the club, her movements stalled and her heart pounded. 

He's here.

The thought bounced back and forth in her head. Her chest suddenly felt tight, illusion of freedom shattering like brittle glass. 

It was already too late to fix the slip up. Dale rushed to her aid, pulling her into the next swirl. Her body obeyed, but her head was no longer in the dance. When their act came to an end, and wave of applause sounded through the hall, she didn't enjoyed the attention. 

Something in her had twisted. When she looked back at the place where he was standing, Nikolai was gone as if he wasn't there in the first place. Was her mind playing tricks on her? 

"What happened?" Dale questioned the second they got off the stage. "You froze." 

"I-" She swallowed. "I don't know. I'm sorry." 

"You're so pale. You didn't see a ghost did you?" He teased, attempting to lighten the mood. "Come here, let's get you some water." Before she could protest, he took her by the hand and lead her into an empty changing room. "This was your first big performance. Things like that happen. Seriously, are you okay? You look spooked." 

Angelique took the glass of water he offered. "I'm fine. I just...thought I saw someone. I should go apologize to others. We might've lost because of me." 

"Wait," Dale once again took ahold of her hand. "There's something I want to tell you..." He trailed off. "I like you. A lot."

Oh, no, no, no.

"Dale-" 

"Hear me out, please." The grip of her hand tightened. "I have had feelings for you since I first saw you. You are a gorgeous girl, and you're sweet and kind. I could go on and on. I want you to be my girlfriend." He tugged her closer to his body, his other arm wrapping around her waist. "I haven't felt this way about anyone else. Please....go out with me." 

This was the moment she had dreamed about since she first met the collage sweetheart. Things would be so easy if she was his girlfriend. They would make a good couple. It had felt so right before, and she had imagined it more than once; them walking down the street holding hands and eating ice cream. 

But now, when he was looking down at her with hopeful eyes it felt....wrong. 

His grip tightened on her waist, his face drawing nearer. "Please....Angelique..." 

"I'm sorry-" 

BANG!

Both of them flinched when the door to changing room slammed open. The noise of the handle smashing against the wall reverberate through the air. 

Her heart fell to her gut when her gaze flashed with stormy grays. 

"Nikolai...." 

His teeth were grit, muscles in his jaw taunt. His eyes swirled with something she hadn't seen in them before. Raw, bloody anger.