Dancing in Circles (Circles Trilogy) by Victoria Adams Read Free Book Online

before ya do."
    "You're so right. I've known them since we were babies and I swear, I've talked to you more about my dancing in ten minutes than I ever have with them." Ever.
    The two rode on in silence. Julie watched Robert. He was relaxed, so different than at school. She urged her horse alongside his. "How long have you been working here?"
    "Off and on for six years."
    Wow, did he ever just brighten up. That grin is so sexy. "You like it there?"
    "I love working with the horses. Carl swears I can communicate with them. This is where I wanna stay. Eventually I'd like Carl's job. I think I can run this place, but who knows." He shrugged. "Carl's taught me everythin' from this-is-a-horse to how to ride, train and breed. I'm in charge of deliveries. Messy job." He shook his head. "And they always deliver in the middle of the night."
    "It's my turn for a question, but it's changing subjects."
    "Fire away." Robert knew he had to let her ask almost anything to get her past his Shore reputation.
    Enjoying herself, Julie suspected her instincts about Robert were right that there's a compassionate human under his gang member skin. "Wednesday, when Steph and you fought. He went white as a ghost. He instantly knew you're Shoresmen." She raised her eyebrows. "Major surprise to me. And how did your...friends know to show up?"
    "I called 'em. I knew I needed backup. Figured Stephan would bring the whole friggin' football team."
    "How did he know you're…Shoresmen?" She tried to say the word without any obvious disgust.
    Robert looked at his saddle then held up his right hand with his knuckles facing Julie. A tattoo of a serpent coiled around a dagger started on his middle finger's last knuckle, circled around and its open mouth stopped at the base of his fingernail. "Shoresmen markin'. Can't lay down our colours. That means quit the gang."
    "Why did you become a gang member?" Julie mentally crossed her fingers hoping she wasn't pushing Robert too far. She just wanted to get to know him.
    "I…uh…needed a home, friends, family. The guys became all that." He held up his other hand and showed a black dagger tattoo. The hilt started at the base of his fingernail and ran along the length of his middle finger. The point was red with droplets trickling down the back of his hand. "The markin's of a leader."
    "Francine said gang initiations are pretty violent."
    "I don't wanna talk about it. Ya can't understand why I joined. It's got nothin' to do with drugs or an easy buck."
    "That's not what I asked."
    His eyes darkened as his brow tightened. "It's what ya implied."
    Julie's horse tossed his head and stamped. She reached down and patted his neck then turned her attention back to Robert. "I didn’t imply anything. You're being a bit defensive. Which I can completely understand. Let me try again. A straight question, no hidden meaning, why did you join?"
    Did she just tell me off? Robert let his thoughts tumble around for a moment, then urged his horse forward. "Total survival. You're involved in your gang of dancers because of some urge that's gotta be filled. I joined this gang to survive. Very basic here – life or death." He heaved a deep breath to calm his anger. "I won't condemn them, and I won't make excuses for runnin' with'em. This ain't no lady's tea party. We're a gang and we do gang stuff. Can we change subjects, please?" He pulled on the reins and turned his horse.
    Not good. Just made him mad . She followed him back towards the stable. "One more question. No, two more."
    Robert halted his horse. "Can I guess the first one? What the hell am I doin' at Westland?"
    Julie nodded. "I know it sounds rude. I mean, you can go wherever you want, but why Westland?"
    His horse snorted and stomped his hoofs. "Whoa. What's wrong?" He reined up his horse and patted its side while checking the ground and area for what startled it. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he turned his attention back to Julie. "Short version. Either do time at