I looked at her in confusion.
“Tell Sergei I’m done,” she spat at me before shoving something into my lap.
My eyes widened at Sergei’s name. “Done with what?”
“Everything,” she told me spitefully. “I’m no longer of use to him anyway.”
I stared at her, at a loss for words. I was betting that it had been Natalya who tracked Nina down. I said a silent thank you to her because she may have just saved my life. I doubted that anyone else would have taken the extra steps to contact Nina after Sergei decided it was my job to obtain the map from her.
“How do you think I got a modeling contract?” Nina asked as if I were slow in the head. “Sergei opened doors for me, and I held them open for his people to follow through. He got access to celebrities and their people, and I got a career.”
“And now?” I asked with a frown. “Aren’t Richard’s connections even more valuable?”
“Sergei is a little fish compared to the sharks Richard swims with,” she said proudly.
“If we’re safe from him, why are you giving him this?” I held up the package that I was guessing held the map he was asking for.
“We aren’t safe, my darling girl,” she said with an evil laugh. “I have a feeling he’s just getting started with you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so willing to let me go.”
I paled at her words.
“Well?” she demanded. “Get out of my car.”
“No breakfast?” I asked sarcastically before getting out and slamming the door on her. If she had an answer for me, I didn’t want to hear it.
I gave up on my idea of the cafeteria and headed right for the gym. My mother had once again abandoned me when I needed her. She could have made sure I was protected under the same umbrella as Richard and herself, but instead, she sacrificed me to save herself. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’d been the one to suggest I take her place under Sergei’s thumb. How else would he have known so much about me the first day we’d met?
I let my bag drop on the floor of the ballet room and let the silence of the empty building echo around me. Here I was, alone and hurting yet again. Why was I weak enough to continuously let people cause me pain? I should be tough enough to be immune to the constant rejection and abandonment.
At least I still had ballet. I knew I was still pushing myself too hard, but I needed the physical pain to drown out everything else in my head. I stared at myself in the mirror. Regardless of what anyone said or did to me, I wasn’t going to give up on my dream. As soon as I was eighteen, I’d be auditioning to every ballet company who would give me a chance. I’d be a prima ballerina, even if it killed me.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
This book is fiction, but eating disorders are a serious issue. Everyone is different, but sometimes it can start with being overly critical about body image and using diet restrictions to cope with overwhelming emotions. In the beginning, it seems you are in control of the process, or engaging in a reasonable weight-loss plan. Over time, lines get blurred, and many people have a difficult time realizing when they get into dangerous territory.
At times the darkness may seem overwhelming and the situation hopeless. Reaching out might seem like an impossible task when you are the deepest in it, but please remember that you’re not alone. There are others who will stand by your side and battle the darkness and despair alongside you.
Books have always been a source of escape and enjoyment for me, so I hope that my work can help others in the same way.
Books by C.C. Masters
Seaside Wolf Pack Series
Book 1: Finding Somewhere to Belong
Book 1.5: Finding Anna
Book 2: Finding the Fire Within
Book 3: Finding the Power Within
Book 4: Finding Truth Beneath the Lies
Book 5: Finding My Breaking Point
Sam's Book: Finding Buried Secrets
Book 6: Finding Hope
Hollow Crest Wolf Pack Trilogy
Book 1: New Beginnings
Book 2: The Struggle
Book 3: A Place to Call Home
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