All Chapters of 12 Days of Christmas with My Brother’s Rival: Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

ANAHERAThe winter outside the venue chips at my exposed skin but inside, it feels like I’ve stepped into a furnace of ego and expensive cologne. There is enough body heat to melt the polar ice at this point. “You okay, Ana?” Dominik asks, adjusting his tie for the hundredth time. He looks like a million bucks, I’ll give him that. My big brother usually looks like he’s been through a meat grinder after a game, but tonight?Tonight is the Winter Anniversary. “I’m fine, Dom. Stop hovering and go have fun.” I swat his hand away from my shoulder. “Go be the star. I’m just here for the free champagne and to make sure you don’t do anything stupid before the big game.”He gives me that lopsided, boyish grin that has half the city swooning. “No promises.”I watch as he scans the room. This isn’t an official league party. It is the commemorative bash before the final showdown of the year. The calm before the bloodbath on the ice. Everyone is here. From teammates to rivals and coaches who

ANAHERA I stare at the dashboard. My reflection in the rearview mirror looks terrified. My hair has been pulled back into a severe, no-nonsense bun that says, ‘I am a professional, do not mess with me,’ but my eyes are too wide and frantic.Oh my God, I’m going to throw up at whats-his-name’s feet.My watch says 8:58am. That’s enough delaying the inevitable. If I arrive late, that would give him ammunition against me. Being late means being flustered and I refuse to be flustered. Grabbing my bag, I exit the car and march toward the entrance of the Obsidian Tower. It is one of those places where the doorman looks better dressed than I am. I give my name at the desk.“Penthouse B. The elevator needs a key card which I have activated for you.”Of course it has to be the penthouse. Because why would Noel Rautio live on a normal floor like a normal human being?The elevator ride is swift and silent, unlike my heart which is currently performing a drum solo against my ribs. When the doors

NOELI should be at home sitting in my chamber and icing my wounded thigh, pretending that my career isn’t hanging by a thread the width of a piece of dental floss. Instead, I am sitting in the darkest corner of a wound down bar. In my hands is a glass of whiskey that cost less than my socks. Somewhere to my right, is the sister of my arch nemesis who is busy assassinating my character to a guy that looks like he hasn’t showered in decades. “There is no loophole for being a bitch!” Anahera yells, her voice cutting through the hum of the bar. I take a slow sip of the burning liquid. Bitch. Nice. Now add that to the list of pompous, ugly, arrogant. She’s really quite the resume for me. I watch her over the rim of my glass as she vibrates. Her hands are flying around, punctuating her sentences with enough force to send her partner flying.She looks frantic and beautiful and completely unhinged. Would I be mad if I say how much I like it?I shouldn’t be here. I came to take the edge