Chapter 3

We were out of the rink. “Elara,” Paisley called from behind me, pulling her arm free from my grasp.

I turned, facing her. “Yes?” I answered.

“What was that all about?” she demanded, crossing her arms. I raised an eyebrow at her. “Last night you broke up with Damon out of nowhere. Then today you are threatening Zane with his doping rumor. It’s like you are a whole different person since you woke up.”

“Shouldn’t you be glad?” I scoffed at her words. “I broke up with Damon because I was done playing second fiddle to his charity case sweetheart. And as for Zane, he wanted to be the hero so badly. I just threatened him. Oh, don’t tell me you are sad I threatened your boyfriend,” I cooed at her.

“As if,” she grimaced at my words. “I only tolerated him because of you. Now that you and that asshole are done, I can finally block him for good,” she said with a sneer.

That made me laugh even more. “Well, since there is nothing tying neither of us to them, let’s forget about them,” I added while laughing. We shared a genuine laugh while heading over to get breakfast.

**

After having breakfast with Paisley, I decided to head over to Voss Enterprise to see my father.

I needed to deal with the root cause of the family’s downfall in my other life, and that was speaking to Father.

I stepped out of my car, tossing my keys over to the valet. I didn’t bother with the receptionist and headed straight for my father’s office on the top floor. Taking the executive elevator, I pressed the button leading to his office. I walked into his office — more like barged in. He was hunched over his paperwork. I took the seat right in front of him.

“All that prep school and you still don’t know how to knock before entering a room. Waste of etiquette,” he hissed, raising his head. “What do you want? An increase in your allowance? For me to sponsor another one of your play things?” he pressed.

“Would it be so unbelievable that I came here to spend time with you, Father?” I mocked with a smirk on my face.

“You are my flesh and blood, Elara, so I know you didn’t come here for that,” he took off his glasses, setting a piercing stare on me. “What do you want?” he demanded. The smirk on my face vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

“Fine.” I sat up straight, staring into his cerulean-colored eyes. “I want you to stop your illegal business,” I blurted out.

“What illegal business?” he asked, fixing me with a complicated look.

“Your illegal betting business,” I hissed. “Your illegal betting business with the league.” I hesitated, seeing something flash through his eyes briefly before disappearing.

“Who told you about it?” he whispered.

“That’s not what’s important,” I snapped. “What you are doing is illegal — tampering with the games and making sure the team you paid for wins. If this gets out then we are finished. Voss Enterprise is done,” I whispered the last part to myself.

“Nobody would know anything if you keep it to yourself. If you shut your mouth our family will still thrive and continue growing,” he growled, hitting his fist on the mahogany table.

“You really think those things won’t come out?” I hissed at him.

“Of course it won’t come out,” he replied back. “I have worked tirelessly to make sure it stays hidden.”

“You have worked tirelessly, huh?” I asked. “Well it’s not enough. If I can know about it then imagine who else can find out? If this information leaks we are finished.”

“Then I will handle the mole,” he demanded. “Who told you about it?”

I just stood up at his words.

With that I walked out of the door with him calling after me. There was no way in hell I was going to go down with him.

I needed to find a way to save myself before he pulled me down with him.

Rozetta.

I reached for my phone and dialed that familiar string of numbers. “Dante, I need every information you can find on Rozetta Pierrepont. Leave nothing unturned.” With that I hung up. I had overlooked an important variable and that was Rozetta.

There was no way that girl was as innocent as she made herself seem.

I was already worked up from my conversation with Father. I needed to blow off some steam. Maybe some practice would do me some good.

I went to the public skating rink, parked my car and got out. There was nobody here.

Perfect.

I put on my ice skates and began practicing. I practiced and practiced until I could no more.

My chest burned as I pushed myself harder, anger fueling every movement.

I glided through the ice with ease, performing a crossover to gain speed. Then using a three-turn to change directions, while I used a waltz jump followed by a combination jump and then a layback spin before ending it with a Lutz.

Then I finally did it — landing gracefully.

Who knew anger would be such a huge motivation. Finally got the hang of that routine I had been practicing for weeks.

Kpah.

I snapped my head toward where the sound came from. “Who is there?” I yelled into the empty space. “You better come out,” I demanded, walking toward the direction of the noise near where the benches were.

But I saw nothing.

Hmm, must have been the wind or something.

Darn, I had already lost my concentration thanks to that noise. Continuous practicing would be fruitless.

At least I got the hang of that move though, so it wasn’t fruitless after all.

I guess it’s time to call it a night then.