War in the Boardroom

Bella POV

I pulled my hand back from Nikolai’s grip so fast my skin stung. My heart was slamming against my ribs, but I squeezed my fingers into a tight fist and tucked my arm behind my back before anyone could notice how hard I was shaking.

"So," my father said, completely ignoring the thick silence between us as he gestured toward the long glass table in the center of the room. "Let's get down to business. We have a few details to arrange before dinner."

We all sat down. Chloe took the seat right beside Nikolai, leaning close to him to whisper something in his ear. Nikolai barely nodded at her, his posture stiff, his eyes fixed entirely on me across the glass. I kept my face blank, opening my folder and spreading the paperwork out in front of me to give my hands something to do.

"To make sure this merger moves forward without any press problems," Mr. Volkov started, resting his hands on the table, "we need complete control over Nikolai’s public image during this hockey season. The media is already asking questions about the syndicate, and we cannot afford any mistakes."

"I agree," my father said. "Which is why Bella will be stepping in as Nikolai’s executive manager for the rest of the year."

I froze, my pen hovering an inch above the paper. "What?"

"You heard him, Bella," my father said, giving me a sharp, warning look. "You'll handle his schedule, his press interviews, and all the legal papers for the team. Since Nikolai travels constantly for games, you will be staying here at the Volkov estate and traveling with the team on their bus."

"Father, no," I said quickly, trying to keep my voice calm and professional. "I have my own work at our office. I can manage his files from my desk in the city. There's no reason for me to move into this house or travel on the team bus."

"It's already arranged," Mr. Volkov said, his voice flat and final. "Nikolai's temper on the ice is getting worse, and he needs someone sharp to handle the league off the ice. You are the best manager the Moretti family has. You start tonight."

I looked across the table at Nikolai. His jaw was set so tight I thought his back teeth might shatter. His hands were flat on the glass, his skin glowing with that faint, hot demon energy he was trying so hard to hide.

"Is there a problem, Nikolai?" my father asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nikolai didn't look at my father. He kept his eyes locked on mine, a dark, dangerous spark dancing deep in his pupils. "No problem at all. I think Bella and I are going to work great together."

"Wonderful," Mr. Volkov said, standing up. "Dante, let's step into my study and review the financial assets for the wedding venue. Kids, sign the manager contract on page four while we're gone."

Chloe stood up too, smiling at Nikolai. "I'm going to check on the dining room setup with the caterers. Don't be too mean to my sister, Nikolai!"

She gave his shoulder a gentle pat and walked out, following our fathers down the hallway.

The moment the heavy double doors clicked shut, the silence in the room turned sharp.

Nikolai didn't wait a second. He stood up from his chair, pushed past the glass table, and walked straight toward the doors. He threw the lock into place with a sharp snap, then turned around to face me.

"Are you insane?" I asked, standing up from my seat and smoothing down my dress. "Unlock that door."

He didn't answer. He crossed the room in three fast strides, his huge frame blocking out the light from the chandelier. Before I could take a step back, he slammed his hands down on the glass table on either side of my hips, trapping me against the edge.

"How did you do it?" he hissed, leaning in so close his hot breath brushed over my lips. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his eyes were flashing a bright, angry red. "How much did you pay the club owner to find out who I was?"

I tilted my head back, refusing to let him see me sweat, even though the intense heat coming off his body was making my skin prickle. "I don't know what you're talking about, Nikolai. Back up."

"Don't lie to me!" he growled, the low sound vibrating right through the table beneath us. "You tracked me down at the Den. You put on that silver mask, got me into a private room, and now you show up in my house as my new manager? Is this a game to you? Are you trying to blackmail my family?"

A sharp laugh broke from my chest. "Blackmail you? Are you out of your mind? I didn't even know your name until two days ago! Do you honestly think I wanted this?"

"You knew exactly what you were doing," he snarled, taking half a step closer until his chest was practically brushing against mine. "My inner demon has been screaming for forty-eight hours because of you. You used your vampire tricks to mess with my head."

"I didn't use anything on you, you arrogant idiot," I snapped, placing both of my hands against his broad chest and shoving him with all my strength. He barely moved an inch, but his eyes widened slightly at my tone. "I went to that club to escape my father, not to meet some temperamental hockey player who can't even control his own dark energy!"

"Watch your tongue, Bella," he warned softly, his grip on the edge of the table tightening until the glass groaned under his weight.

"Or what?" I challenged, leaning forward until my face was inches from his. "Are you going to hit me? Are you going to mark me right here while your fiancée is down the hall picking out dinner plates? Go ahead, Nikolai. Try it. See what happens when our fathers walk back through that door."

He glared at me, his chest rising and falling in heavy, ragged breaths. "You think you're so smart, don't you?"

"I know I'm smart enough to handle this," I said, my voice dropping into a cold, ruthless tone. "You want to talk about blackmail? Let's talk about reality. If anyone finds out what happened between us at that club, you lose everything. You lose your spot as captain of the Arctic Wolves. You lose your father's respect. And you lose your title as heir to the syndicate. Your father will throw you out on the street faster than you can take a shot on the ice."

Nikolai stared at me, the red tint in his eyes slowly fading back to dark blue as my words hit home.

"I am the only thing standing between you and total ruin, Nikolai," I continued, pressing my advantage as I tapped a finger against his chest. "So you are going to back up, you are going to sit in that chair, and you are going to let me do my job. We sign these papers, we pretend that night never happened, and we keep our mouths shut for Chloe's sake."

He stayed frozen for a long moment, staring down at me like he wanted to rip the contract to pieces. But he couldn't deny the truth. The risk was too big for both of us.

Slowly, he pushed himself off the table and took two steps back, running a hand through his dark hair. "You really are as cold as everyone says."

"I'm practical," I corrected, pulling the manager contract toward me and picking up my pen. "Which is why I'm going to save your career whether you like it or not."

I signed my name at the bottom of the page in bold, sharp letters, then slid the paper across the glass toward him.

Nikolai looked down at the pen on the table. He picked it up, his fingers brushing against mine for a fraction of a second. A quick spark of heat jumped between us, making my pulse jump in my throat, but I forced myself to look away and stare out the window.

He signed his name with a harsh line, shoving the folder back into my hands.

"This doesn't change anything," he said, his deep voice carrying a rough edge as he walked over to unlock the door. "You can hide behind your legal papers all you want, Bella. But we both know that bond isn't going anywhere."

He pulled the door open just as our fathers walked back down the hall, completely unaware that the real war had already begun.