Chapter 48. The Ballerina

"This place is crazy, Aleksander." When I tugged her hand and she turned to face me again there was a frown on her lips stressed by her furrowed brow. "I shouldn't be here."

"No, you should." I yanked her hand and pulled her against my side. "You're with me, and this is where I am. We're just going in for dinner. It's nothing big."

"Easy enough for you to say." She grumbled under her breath and the front door opened.

"Aleksander, my boy!", Nikolai's booming voice pulled my eyes back to the front door. I draped my arm over Rhea's shoulders and turned her away from the fountain.

When Nikolai saw the woman under my arm, his eyes went as wide as dinner plates. He froze and after a beat he narrowed his gaze on me. It was only for a second, but long enough for me to know he had something he would say later.

"Well, don't just stand there! Come on in! Don't leave your lady friend in this chill!" My uncle opened his arms and welcomed us into the gigantic house.<