Page 1 of Silver Flirt

Chapter One

BASH

“What do you mean the money is gone?” I stare at Malcolm like he has two heads.

Celeste sighs. “He means it’s gone, Bash.”

My eyes flit back and forth between the two of them. “All of it?”

Malcolm nods grimly. “Every penny. The accounts are empty. Trevor is officially in the wind.”

“Fuck.” I slam my fist on the table, making the glasses rattle as frustration and disbelief burn through my veins.

It’s a typical sweltering Friday afternoon in Barton Beach, and I’m sitting with Malcolm and Celeste at my bar, the Silver Coop. We were supposed to be having our monthly board meeting for my softball foundation, Diamond Dreams.

Instead, I’ve just spent the last half hour listening to Malcolm explain how our other board member, Trevor, just fucked us over.

I squeeze my eyes shut and pinch the bridge of my nose. I should have seen this coming.

Trevor always rubbed me the wrong way, but I never thought he would sink this low and steal from a charity—from kids who need this money.

“I knew that snake was bad news from day one,” Celeste mutters, shaking her head. “Never trusted him.”

“We should call the police,” I say firmly, reaching for my phone. “File a report, freeze the accounts, something.”

“The police won’t be able to do much,” Malcolm says with a heavy sigh. “He’s probably long gone by now.”

“So we’re just supposed to sit on our asses and do nothing?” I practically shout, anger pulsing through me. “Let that bastard get away with it?”

“Of course not.” Celeste has always been the level-headed one. “But we need a plan. We can’t go off half-cocked.”

I rake a hand through my hair, knowing she’s right but hating it.

I started this foundation to make a difference, to give back after my pro baseball career ended. It’s my way of staying connected to the game I love. Helping talented girls get to college through softball. We’re only in our second year, but I thought we were making real progress. Gaining momentum.

Some of those girls were probably spending the money in their heads already. Dreaming about their futures.

Now, their hopes have been ripped away unless I can figure out how to fix this mess.

“Well, we have to do something.” I look to Malcolm and Celeste. “The scholarship banquet is in four weeks. We can’t let those players down.”

I slump back in my chair, anger and frustration churning in my gut. I have given so much to baseball over the years. It made me a star and gave me wealth and fame beyond my wildest dreams.

But it also took pieces of me. My body, through injuries. My youth, with all the time on the road. A shot at a normal life and a family.

Diamond Dreams was supposed to be my way of evening the score. Ensuring the game gave back as much as it took.

“What are you thinking, Bash?” Celeste asks, studying me from across the table.

“I’m thinking we fight,” I reply.

She arches a brow. “Physically or legally?”

“Legally. I’m sick and tired of scammers pulling this shit and getting away with it.” The words burst out of me in a furious rush. “It’s not right. We can’t let Trevor walk.”

Celeste nods slowly. “My agent might know some lawyers who could help.”

“No,” I cut in firmly. “I’ve got someone else in mind.”

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