Lahat ng Kabanata ng Hockey Star by Day, Oil Mogul by night: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

SCARLETTHarlan holds me snug against his chest, shoving an iPad in my face.“Watch this first, then you can judge.”CCTV footage from the locker room is already rolling, Sylvia’s voice echoing clearly through the speakers;“…you’re the most celebrated player in the league. I’m the most sought after cheerleader and influencer. Both of us would make a great couple, Harlan. We’ll take the world of hockey by storm...”My fingers curl into fists. That slimy, shameless bitch. I watch, my anger bubbling to the surface as she scoots closer to Harlan, basically thrusting her barely-there boobs in his face.The bitch really went running to Harlan with pictures of Ethan and me like she’d uncovered some massive scandal.Just when I think I’ve reached the limit of my sister’s cruelty, she pulls another stunt that leaves me reeling.When the video finally winds down to the part where Harlan pinned her against the locker, I stop breathing altogether;“…stop meddling in our affairs. Stay away from

SCARLETTI jolt awake an eternity later to dead silence. And the first thing I register is the darkness.It closes around me like a suffocating blanket, pressing down on my chest until I can barely breathe. My heartbeat kicks into overdrive, slamming against my ribs like a speeding train.Then the panic starts to set in.I hate the dark. I hate it so much.I squeeze my eyes shut in a desperate attempt to block the ugly memories already clawing their way to the surface.But no matter how hard I fight it, the sharp whoosh of a belt slicing through the air, and the heavy thud of approaching footsteps creep into my mind, tormenting me until the scream finally tears free.My mouth opens— but a deep, smooth voice cuts through the nightmare, yanking me back to the present.“Scarlett, are you okay?”My brain feels heavy with sleep and confusion as I slowly open my eyes.Soft golden light fills the space now, and a second later, realization settles in.I’m in a car.Harlan’s car.I also beco

HARLAN“Let’s go our separate ways…”I squeeze my eyes shut, my fingers tightening around the knife as those words reopen wounds I thought were long dead.“You can end the agreement right now…”I fling the knife hard enough to make my arm sting, watching with very little satisfaction as it buries itself deep in the target with a sharp thunk.Bullseye. I’m not sure what Scarlett meant when she said we could go our separate ways.The thought alone nearly stopped my fucking heart. I could practically feel her slipping away from me, and for one ugly moment, panic clawed up my throat.I almost lost control.Almost. One thing is certain: it’s not fucking happening. She’s not going anywhere, and neither am I.Maybe I haven’t been serious enough about keeping her. Maybe I gave her too much room to think walking away was an option.But that has changed.This marriage is happening. And soon.I reach for my phone, already irritated as I call the one person I’d happily avoid forever.It rings o

SCARLETTIt’s like stepping into another world. A shiny world filled with state-of-the-art machines, the kind I only see in blockbuster movies.“What is this?” I ask from the door, too shocked to take a single step.“Come on in,” Floyd takes my hand once more and gives it a gentle tug. “Welcome to Harlan Rousseau’s one of its kind private clinic.”“One of its kind?” My voice is a tiny whisper. I’m too stunned, too focused on taking in the grandeur of the entire place.“Yup. This penthouse is like a two-in-one deal. Harlan decided to convert one half of it into a private clinic.”This place has everything, I kid you not. From motorized examination beds to an MRI and CT scanner. It’s like walking into one of those gleaming, expensive private hospitals in New York City. “These machines cost a fortune.” I point out, glancing at Floyd.He simply shrugs. “Money is not the problem for Mr. Rousseau. He has it in abundance. More than he can spend.” His voice lowers, his eyes taking on a ser

SCARLETTI’m in trouble. I mentally calculate the distance from my spot by the wall to the door, hoping I can escape before Harlan gets a hold of me.He takes one step in my direction and fear crawls up my spine.He takes another step and I start running. But soon enough, I’d realize that that was a terrible idea.Harlan changes course in a split second, maneuvering in the opposite direction and snatching me before I can even make it half way to the door.I almost forgot I was dealing with a professional athlete.“Nooo! Let go! Put me down right down.”His grip is iron around my wrist as he carries me toward the couch. My heart slams against my ribs.Judging from the dark, smouldering look in his eyes, I already know what’s coming.Panic slithers down my spine.“Harlan, wait—please, not tonight,” I beg, voice cracking even as heat pools low in my belly.Goodness, I’m turned on.A man literally manhandling me is turning me the fuck on.He sits down and yanks me across his lap in one