"But you can't dissolve our partnership. It will ruin me." Mr. McKnight shouts after us as we leave his office, feeling freer than we have in a year.

"Okay, gentlemen, it's time to get our girl." I hold the office door open letting Ivan and Blade walk through. When they are out of hearing distance I turn back to Mr. McKnight. "Just remember, if you try to do anything to ruin our careers or our relationship with Briella or her Olympic dreams, I still own that trailer in the Florida Everglades and I have the perfect spot to dispose of your body that only alligators will be able to find.

His eyes widen and he closes his mouth, my words obviously registering with him. No one fucks with the people I love—not anymore.

nine

Ivan

"DoyouthinkBriellawill like this?" Atlas lounges on a light brown suede sofa. The material looks to be soft and comfortable for Briella.

We spent the morning signing with a new agent. The rest of the day is spent picking out furniture for our home that Briella will like. Instead of looking like a frat house with mismatched furniture and hockey posters taped to the walls like it does now.

"It's perfect. She'll love it." I run my hand over the soft fabric, a far cry from the orphanage in Russia I grew up in. I was one of the lucky ones that was adopted to an American couple when I was five years old.

At the time I couldn't believe my luck, but I later realized it wasn't me the little boy they wanted. It was the Russian hockey playing bloodlines I carry.

Cutting my adoptive parents out of my life at age eighteen was the best decision I've ever made. That and now firing Mr. McKnight and going after Briella.

"I hope she likes everything we bought her." Blade walks by with a flustered looking salesman following his every move as he orders one of everything.

If it wasn't for the huge commission our purchases will net him, the salesman would probably be running for the hills right now with how picky Atlas is being.

"Does this couch come in any other colors?" Atlas jumps off the couch, chasing after Blade and the harried looking salesman.

Furniture for the house is the least of my worries, without Briella to share it with us, it doesn't matter.

I hope we can convince her to give us another chance.

ten

Briella

ThelastthingIwanted to do tonight was go dancing at a club surrounded by strangers. I'd rather be home watching an old rom com, eating pizza and treating myself to one bottle of beer. Which is what I would normally be doing on a Friday night. But here I am, at the hottest new club in town with my best friend.

Ever since my best friend, Lenni, told me she signed a contract to play pro hockey with the Iowa Poseidon and would be moving to the same town I live in, I've been planning a celebration. I didn't want to let her down by cancelling. Plus, having her as my new roommate is a bonus.

"Stop tugging at your skirt." I slap Lenni's hands as she fidgets with the short skirt, I convinced her to wear to tonight. "You look sexy as hell. You'll have all the guys dropping at your feet."

Helping to turn Lenni into a sex goddess for tonight's adventure was easy. She's gorgeous as she is but she doesn't see how beautiful she really is. I only helped enhance her already stunning features with a little make up here and there and something other than a t-shirt and sweats to wear. I even straighten her sexy curly hair into a sexier sleek style.

The bouncer unhooks the red velvet rope, motioning for us to go into the club as he eye fucks an oblivious Lenni the whole way by.

How she doesn't know her own allure is beyond me.

"Are you sure about this?" Lenni tugs at my elbow as we walk through the club.

Understanding her hesitation, I stop walking and turn around to reassure her. We've both been busy these last few years her with hockey and me with figure skating. It's time we both have a little fun.

A memory of Blade, Atlas, and Ivan pushes its way inside my brain. A memory I hoped too never have again—even if our one night together was the best in my life. It was also the wake up call I needed to fulfill my dreams.

The look on my mother's face when she and my soon to be new stepfather, found me in bed with my future stepbrother and his two best friends, is not something I want to remember. Add that to the shame of her admitting in front of them that she only cared about if I won a gold medal or not. And that I was now spoiled goods, that no man in his right mind would want a slut like me.

That wasn't even the worst part. No, the worst part was having the three guys that made me a slut in her eyes, not even try to defend me.

Assholes.

Fuck her and fuck them. It's time I reclaim my life. I still want to win a gold medal but not for my mom, but for me. As for my non-existent sex life, thanks to Blade, Atlas, and Ivan, ruining me for any other guy, it's time to get back on that horse or horses depending on how I feel.