Chapter Text
-Prologue-
The haunting swell of the music of Swan Lake engulfed the concert hall. Every pair of eyes was focused on the stunning vision on stage. Watching a professional dancer perform was like witnessing superhuman ability blended perfectly with effortless grace. That description applied perfectly to principal dancer Ryan Wilder. Ryan was the American Ballet Theatre’s Prima Ballerina, the child prodigy who had become a dance icon.
Ryan exited stage left, only slightly winded. She rushed over and took a quick sip of water. She only had about thirty seconds before she had to return to the stage. The stagehands and other dancers gave her a wide berth. It was a known fact that Ryan liked to remain in character until she was finished. They simply watched her; some with admiration and awe of the veteran, some with a hint of jealousy at her raw talent. Ryan took a deep breath and centered herself. When she opened her eyes, she was focused and ready. With perfect posture and smooth strides, she floated back on stage.
The sharp notes from the orchestra led into the final act. Ryan was in a zone. Her body had become a vessel for the story. Each floating pirouette, featherlike bourrées, and weightless arabesque was the result of years of discipline and practice. Professional ballet demanded nothing less in its search for perfection.
As she moved into the final series of turns, Ryan felt an odd pull that led to pain she’d never felt before shooting through her leg. It felt like her calf was shattering and being torn apart. Unable to maintain control of her body, her small frame went crashing to the hard stage floor.
Ryan shuddered in agony as the room began to spin. She hadn’t cushioned her fall. She was too dazed to hear the gasps and voices around her.
“Ryan! Ryan, can you hear me?! Don’t move. The medics are coming.”
Soon, the ringing in her ear drowned out all sound. The last thing she saw was the curtain falling as everything went dark.
Chapter 1
‘Nooo!’
The sound of a loud blast jerked Ryan awake. Her brow was covered in sweat. When she went to move, she realized she couldn’t. She looked around at her surroundings. She was in a hospital room. She closed her eyes as everything came rushing back. She’d traded one nightmare for another.
“Ryan?”
Ryan felt a warm hand covering her own, followed by the soft voice of her mother. She relaxed into the cool cloth she ran over her brow.
“Ryan, sweetheart…”
Ryan opened her eyes and met eyes almost identical to her own. She could read those eyes.
Ryan swallowed hard, her throat dry. “How bad is it?”
“Let me get you some water.”
Ryan tightened her hold on Jada’s hand, keeping her in place. “How bad?”
Jada swallowed. “You have several severe fractures to your tibia. Apparently, they’d been there for a while. You’re going to require surgery and…”
Ryan turned away, blocking out everything else her mother was saying. Ryan didn’t need to hear more. She knew what would come next. She shook her head. She couldn’t believe that after all these years, her career was going to end with an injury in front of the entire ballet world.
“I’ve arranged for the best orthopedic surgeon in the country to perform your surgery.”
Ryan never looked at her. “I’m sure you have, mother.”
Jada sighed at the chill in her daughter’s voice.
“You know, I’m not the enemy here, Ryan. I’m trying to be here for you.”
Ryan finally looked at her. There were times she thought she knew her mother and other times, Jada seemed like a stranger. Nothing between them had been the same since they lost Marquis.
“Sorry.”
“Ryan...”
“I assume you’ve informed ABT?” Ryan interrupted.
She didn’t want things to get overly emotional with her mother. She wasn’t ready for that.
Jada nodded. “I spoke with the company director, Walter Zaine. He wants to be updated on your condition. He wants you to know that they are behind you in this and there for whatever you need.”
“But?” Ryan needed to hear her say it.
“But…of course, your understudy will be taking over your performances for the time being.”
“And I’ve been let go from ABT, right?”
“No.” Jada shook her head. “Why must you always think the worst, Ryan?”
“Maybe I’ve been conditioned to,” Ryan said before she could stop herself.
Jada paused and took a breath. She had to remember that her daughter was devastated and in pain.
“This surgery is extensive. You will need help. I don’t know your situation with Angelique at the moment, but I would prefer that you come home where you can be properly cared for. She’s more than welcome to come with you.”
Jada had to force the invitation out. It took every ounce of restraint not to grit her teeth.
“There’s no need for the fake olive branch. We’re not back together.”
“So, does that mean you’ll come home?”
“Why not? It’s the perfect place to be miserable.” Ryan said sarcastically.
Jada shook her head and stood. “You know what? I know this is overwhelming and devastating, but if you take that tone with me again, you and I are going to have a problem.”
Jada gave her a long look. Ryan remembered that look. She felt both chastised and guilty. She knew exactly what buttons to push with her mother. She wasn’t exactly proud of that.
“Sorry.” She mumbled.
“I’m going to get some coffee. I think you need a minute to yourself.”
Ryan sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
“What the fuck am I going to do in Gotham?”
Sophie Moore sat at the right hand of her father among a room full of men. Their monthly meeting had gone on longer than she would have liked, but she wasn’t in charge, at least not yet. As Elijah’s heir, this would all become her responsibility at some point. The thought always weighed heavily on her.
To most, they were the Moore family, known as the owners of Moore Holdings, which consisted of various businesses from textiles and construction to nightclubs. However, in smaller, more secretive circles, they were known as the Moore crime family; both were true.
Sophie tried not to roll her eyes as Francis Roselli droned on about honor and tradition. She looked around the room. They were all so predictable. They were all dressed similarly. They wore fancy suits with lavish watches and gaudy jewelry. These meetings weren’t all about business. It was also a way for each family to show off their wealth and power in an attempt to intimidate the others. Sophie had never cared for these meetings. There was too much posturing for her liking. She’d been taught that a person with real power didn’t have to show it. However, once it became obvious that Sophie would take his place one day, Elijah started bringing her with him to observe and learn. She’d been coming since she was a teen.
Sophie suddenly felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She slipped it out and discreetly checked the screen. It was a text from her little sister, Jordan. Jordan was eight and going on thirty. Elijah cleared his throat and gave Sophie a disapproving look. Sophie slipped the phone back into her pocket and focused on the meeting.
“Thank you, Francis. I think we can all agree that we are all on the same page. The families are united on the decision.” Vincent Rizzo of the Rizzo family said.
“I don’t know if we can say that, Rizz.”
Everyone’s eyes shifted to Tyler O’Donnell. He was the son of Collin O’Donnell. Everyone knew the old Irishman had recently undergone major heart surgery. Word on the street was that Colin wasn’t doing well. His son was clearly in charge now. Tyler was brash and cocky; two things Sophie had been taught were detrimental to their way of life. He also had a problem with the word no. Sophie had made the mistake of briefly dating him years ago as a teen, long before she had come to terms with who she was. These days, Sophie could not be clearer about her disinterest, but that didn’t stop Tyler from trying. Despite knowing she was a lesbian, he still tried to shoot his shot no matter how many times she turned him down.
“And why not?” Rizzo asked.
“Because, if you haven’t noticed, we are missing a family,” Tyler said, gesturing to the empty chair at the other end of the table.
“There’s no one to speak for the Jets.”
No one spoke up right away. The Jet family was one of the oldest and, unarguably, the most powerful families among them.
“You mean the Madam Queen didn’t switch her high-brow ass down from her ivory tower to meet with us, mere mortals? What’s new there? That dame wants nothing to do with our world, and that’s fine by me.” Tony Watts responded.
“Bet you wouldn’t say that to her face.” Rizzo laughed because he knew he was right.
It was a known fact among the families that Jada Jet had gone legit and wouldn’t be caught dead at one of these meetings unless it was absolutely necessary. In less than ten years, Jada managed to turn a once money-laundering shell business into one of the leading tech companies in the country. Jeturian was clean and legit. More importantly, she’d managed to successfully cut ties with the underground, which took balls because it was almost impossible to do so. She’d negotiated a truce, ensuring the families that their secrets were safe as long as they let her family be. So far, the truce had been upheld.
Elijah grew irritated at the shift in conversation. He’d been in the game a long time. Beautiful women were a dime a dozen. He wasn’t fooled by Jada’s charm and good looks. He knew better than anyone that Jada was not to be toyed with.
“I see no reason to cause disruption where there is none. I’ve never concerned myself with other people’s business. As long as the truce is upheld, what the Jets do is no longer our concern.”
Elijah’s voice came out raspy and cool. He tapped his gold cane on the floor. His cool eyes fell to Tyler’s. The warning was hidden behind the casual rubbing of his gray beard, subtle yet seen. Everyone allowed his words to settle. Elijah was no slacker. He’d earned his bones and respect early in life. When he spoke, his words carried weight.
“I agree with Elijah. If there is no other business to discuss, I have a play to attend.” Rizzo said, standing and adjusting his poorly fitted blazer.
“You into Broadway now, Rizz?” Tyler attempted a joke to break the tension.
“It’s my granddaughter’s play, you buffoon. She’s into all that theatre stuff. They sound like drowning cats to me, but it makes her happy.”
“Family is a beautiful thing, Rizzo. Please send my regards to Claudette and the girls.” Elijah said.
He lifted his cane and stood. Sophie followed his lead.
“I certainly will, Elijah.”
Rizzo shifted his attention to Sophie. His eyes traveled up and down her tall, lean frame in obvious appreciation. She was dressed conservatively in a professional pale blue pantsuit. That didn’t stop him from looking at her with clear lust in his eyes. He held out his hand. Sophie gave him a stoic look before placing her hand in his. He kissed it with a sly grin.
“You get more beautiful every time I see you, Sophia.”
Sophie’s jaw clenched slightly. The only person who ever called her Sophia had been her mother. She showed no reaction. She was used to the gaze of men. She knew they found her attractive, but it was more than that. They often looked at her like a prize to be won. She knew the game. Having Elijah Moore’s daughter as a wife or even mistress would add to their power dynamic.
“Mr. Rizzo. Do give my regards to your lovely wife.” Sophie said smoothly.
Elijah’s lips twitched. He’d raised his daughter not to be fooled by the flattery of men. It also helped that she was a lesbian. He didn’t exactly approve of her lifestyle, but he knew he couldn’t change it.
Rizzo chuckled and nodded. “I certainly will. Elijah, until next time, old friend.”
A fleet of armored SUVs were waiting as they exited the warehouse.
“Hey, Sophie!”
Sophie paused at the door. She clenched her jaw and turned around.
“Yes, O’Donnell?”
“Why so formal? It’s Tyler, remember? How about you let me take you to dinner tonight?”
“I’m busy.”
“Tomorrow night then?”
Sophie gave him a patient look. “My answer is no. It will always be no.”
Tyler grinned as he adjusted himself. Sophie had to refrain from rolling her eyes.
“You’re still on that lezzy shit, huh. You know, all you need is…”
“Let me guess? All I need is some good dick?”
He grinned salaciously. “You said it.”
“O’Donnell, if all I wanted was some good dick, why would I come looking for you?”
Her eyes trailed down until they reached the baggy crotch area of his pants. One of the nearby guards coughed to cover his laugh.
“I wouldn’t need to go looking at all. My pretty red one is more than enough.”
Tyler squinted his eyes and sucked his teeth. Sophie slipped into the SUV, firmly closing the door in Tyler’s face. She sighed with annoyance.
“It is not wise to antagonize O’Donnell. We have deals with them.” Elijah spoke evenly.
“It’s unwise for a man not to understand the word no.” Sophie’s gaze was ice cold.
Elijah waved the conversation away for the nonsense it was to him.
“Have you spoken with our connection in the Caribbean?”
“I have. Everything is set and on schedule. I don’t foresee any issues.” Sophie said evenly.
“Good. I don’t think I need to remind you that paying attention to details at these meetings is crucial.” He said, referring to her phone use.
“I am, and I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that I am always paying attention. I am capable of glancing at a text from my sister and listening. It’s similar to chewing gum and walking.”
Elijah gave her a look of warning and grunted. He’d raised his daughter to be strong-willed enough to take over for him. It was his own fault.
“And how is Jordan?”
“She’s been isolating herself again. Her instructors say she spends a lot of time alone in the dance studio. She’ll be home in a few weeks. I think she’s homesick. Time being around family will be good for her.”
Jordan arrived in their lives, courtesy of one of Elijah’s many liaisons with women he bedded over the years. Charlotte Norris died in childbirth, leaving Jordan without a mother and in the care of a father who was simply fulfilling an obligation. Jordan attended an exclusive boarding school upstate, mainly for her protection.
“As much money as I pay for that school, she should be happy to stay there.”
“She’s a kid, and she's miles away from her family, Pop. I would think you would want to see her, too.” Sophie said with a little bite.
Sophie didn’t snap at Elijah often, but Sophie didn’t play about her sister, even with her father. Jordan hadn’t had it easy. Sophie understood what it was like not having a mother. They’d lost Diane to cancer when Sophie was barely eleven. Elijah never remarried, just moved from woman to woman for companionship, nothing more. She thought that when Jordan came into his life, she’d fill that hole left by the loss of Diane. She now realized nothing ever would.
He nodded. “Send me the dates. I will make sure to make time for her.”
Before Sophie could respond, Elijah was already on a business call. Sophie simply stared out the tinted windows as the rest of the world passed by, wondering if there was more to life than this.
TBC.
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