Broken People (Serial)

Fifty-One

With a cup in her hand, Anya waited for him outside when Nicholas left Big Dino's car. "What did he say? Did he fire you?"

The cup in Anya's hand trembled slightly, so Nicholas took it and drank from it. Hot coffee was exactly what he needed to get him through the rest of the night. "No, actually, he promoted me ..."

She blinked. "Oh?"

Nicholas frowned, still puzzled by the recent turn of events. "He made me manager."

"That's wonderful!" A genuine smile lit up Anya's face before suspicion filled her brown eyes. "Did you accept it?"

She knew him so well.

"He didn't leave me much choice." Nicholas laughed, shaking his head.

"Don't worry about it. You'll do great." Anya patted his arm, her long fingers gliding up and down the jacket sleeve as if wanting to prolong the contact.

Nicholas wasn't so sure, but for once, he didn't mind the challenge.

"Will you keep your magic act?" she asked.

"I don't know. I didn't have time to think about it ... Of course, all of the acts will have to go through a strict revision. We'll make it a class act, less of a freak show." If he wanted to do it, this was the proper time. Big Dino would spend most of his time sleeping, and he had access to the funds. It would be less stressful for the Nightingale, too.

"Then you and I have lots to talk about," Anya said. "I'll make a list with my demands." Her eyes glinted, but she kept a straight face.

"I'm afraid the circus's finances can't accommodate your needs. Trust me, I know. I used to be the accountant, too. But tell you what. I'll be busy tonight with packing up the circus, but in the morning, after we take off, I'll be in my car if you want to ... discuss your acts." He smirked. "Hey, if you're convincing enough, we might get rid of the blasted butterfly act."

The grin that curled up the corners of Anya's lips, probably at the thought that it was one of their games, turned quickly into a pout. "Don't tease a poor girl, Nick. It's not nice."

"I wasn't joking about the butterfly act." It was the first thing to get rid of on his list, whether she asked him to do it or not.

"I wasn't talking about the butterfly act." Anya's gaze held his, daring him to acknowledge the challenge.

Still holding the cup, Nicholas's arms slipped around her delicate waist, and he pulled her closer until only a thin layer of air separated them. "I know."

Her hands rested on his chest, making no attempt to push him away, and dark chocolate eyes peered up at him, waiting for his next move. Her lips parted as she inhaled.

What the hell? He was doomed either way. He lowered his head and kissed her. Anya melted in his arms.

Some kisses were worth waiting an eternity for, and this one had been due for too long. He marveled at the softness of her lips. Why hadn't he tasted them before? He'd been such a fool.

Her small sigh brought him back to reality, and he checked her eyes for signs of sadness. What was wrong? He caressed her soft cheek and pushed the brown locks behind her ear. She still wore the show earrings, which were shaped like orchid stems in full bloom, wrapped around her ears—a reminder of her former life. Those weren't decorated with colored glass, but precious stones. Like him, Anya hadn't been poor before joining the circus.

"I wish I could give you all of those things, but you know my situation." Being appointed manager didn't instantly make him rich. Most of the time, magic barely paid enough to get him through the day.

"Nick, it's true that I want a lot of things, but I don't need them. I live in a train car with a traveling circus. I'm used to little. But what I do need ..." She snuggled in closer to his warmth.

"You have that. You've had it for a long time. I wish I could give you my name to prove it, but I don't have that anymore." He'd left it behind when he left France.

"I don't need your name to be happy, Nick." Her fingers fisted in the lapels of his jacket, and her smile warmed his insides.

The door at the distant end of the corridor opened, and Jacko stood in the doorway. "Are you coming? They're waiting for you."

"Who?" Nicholas asked, reluctant to let go of Anya.

"Oh, I forgot!" She bounced on her toes, agitated. "Serioja's ribs are shattered, and Rake and Spinner want you to hold his organs in place while they replace the ribs with temporary ones. It's supposed to be less invasive or something ..."

"So you didn't come just to bring me the coffee." Nicholas handed her back the empty cup, already walking along the corridor towards Jacko. One of his crew members was injured and needed his help.

"Just go and see what you can do." Anya waved him off with a smile. "I'll bring you a sandwich later on."

"Thank you. Jacko, go into town and get Armstrong. Big Dino wants to see him."

The clown saluted and moved out of the way.